Barista Cover Letter Examples

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Barista Job

Writing a persuasive barista cover letter allows you to mention your key skills, talk about your background, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the position. Since it’s a customer-facing role, employers also expect you to discuss your passion for providing excellent customer service and showcase any special abilities that may be useful in a café or restaurant. This includes the ability to create latte art, knowledge of specific coffee machine brands, or understanding of coffee roasting and brewing techniques.

Whether you have years of experience in the hospitality industry or are looking for your first job, our guide will make the job application process more enjoyable. With our expert advice, you’ll learn how to write a cover letter and improve your chances of securing a face-to-face job interview.

Step-by-step guide to creating a standout barista cover letter

Step 1: Analyse barista duties and the job description

Once you assess your experience, it’s time to analyse the specific duties of the job. When hiring baristas, employers pay close attention to candidates’ soft skills, including customer service, multitasking, and adaptability. When a hiring manager spots these in your barista cover letter, they’re likely to see you as a flexible candidate with strong active listening abilities who knows how to greet customers and handle complaints.

In addition, it’s necessary to showcase some of your technical abilities, or hard skills, which you’ve acquired through formal barista training or work experience. These may include knowledge of brewing methods, the ability to create latte art, or your expert understanding of espresso machine cleaning and maintenance procedures.

Step 2: Include a contact section in your cover letter for barista job

To start your cover letter, create a contact section at the top of the page. Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Make sure to check if this information matches the contact details from your CV. Then, include today’s date. In a new paragraph, write the recipient’s details.

To determine who’s the point of contact for the role to which you’re applying, visit the company’s website or perform a quick online search. When applying for a barista position, the person you’ll be contacting will be likely the café or restaurant manager. For larger institutions, like hotels, this may be the hiring manager.

Step 3: Address the recipient of your barista cover letter

To start the main part of your letter, include a professional opening. Choose a formal greeting, as this shows your respect and acknowledges the recipient’s professional status. If you know who they are, it’s typically safe to address them directly, as this adds a personal touch. If you’re unsure of the recipient’s preferred pronouns, you can simply use their full name.

Avoid using the phrase “To Whom It May Concern”, as many people consider it outdated. Instead, it’s best to opt for something universal or a greeting that adds a personal touch to your barista cover letter. In some instances, you may not be able to identify who the recipient will be and can simply address your letter with a generic opening.

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Step 4: Introduce yourself in your cover letter for a barista

Use the first paragraph of your cover letter for a barista job to briefly introduce yourself. Explain how you learned about the job opening and express your interest in a specific position the employer has advertised. Use some barista-related keywords in the first two or three sentences of your letter’s body. This makes the entire text more dynamic and catchy, spiking your recipient’s interest and encouraging them to read through the rest of your cover letter.

Here are some examples of winning opening paragraphs for a cover letter for barista:

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Step 5: Explain why you’re a good fit for the barista position

In this next section, discuss your experience in more detail. Make sure not to repeat the information you already included in your CV, as your cover letter should be an extension of your barista CV, not its exact copy. As you’re writing about your former duties and responsibilities, explain how they relate to the job requirements.

Useful keywords for a barista position include customer service, POS systems, roasting profiles, and brewing techniques. If you’re applying for a senior barista position that requires you to manage or train junior members of staff, you can also include keywords like team leadership, shift planning, employee onboarding, and staff coordination.

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Step 6: Conclude your barista cover letter

At the end, restate your interest in the barista position and thank the recipient for their time and consideration. This section of your barista cover letter also serves to provide any additional information the hiring manager may use to contact you, such as your availability or preferred contact method.

The last element you’ll include is a professional sign-off like “Yours faithfully” if you’ve used a generic salutation or “Yours sincerely” if you decided to address the recipient by their name. If you’re applying for a barista job at a small café or restaurant, you can also use “Kind regards”, as this sign-off is considered less formal, but still respectful.

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Step 7: Format your barista cover letter

Reviewing examples helps you understand how to make your application look coherent. During this last step, make sure your cover letter demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. Pay attention to elements like proper section spacing and margins, as this improves readability. Carefully proofread the text to avoid spelling mistakes.

Spend some time deciding which the best font for your cover letter is. For example, you can use a standard font like Ariel or Times New Roman, preferably in 11 or 12 point size. If you’re just entering the workforce and you don’t have much experience as a barista yet, a useful trick to make your cover letter seem longer is to use a spacious font with rounded corners and size it up.