When you're looking to hire a new barista, a practical trial is a great way to see their skills in action. A typical trial should include tasks like pulling espresso shots, steaming and pouring milk, maintaining a clean and organised workstation, and handling a simple customer interaction. This setup gives you a clear view of their coffee-making skills, hygiene habits, and customer service approach.
Common misunderstanding: Trials should test everything
You don't need to test every possible skill in one trial. Focus on essential daily tasks that matter most. Too many tasks become overwhelming and don't show true ability in key areas.
Let's say you are testing latte art, espresso extraction, cash handling, cleaning procedures, and customer complaints all in one 30-minute trial. This creates stress and confusion instead of revealing genuine coffee-making and service abilities.
Common misunderstanding: Complex drinks show better skills
Complexity doesn't always reveal ability better. Basic essential tasks show foundational skills more clearly. You can teach complex recipes later if they master the fundamentals well.
Let's say you are testing someone on intricate signature drinks with multiple syrups and garnishes. This might hide their basic coffee-making weaknesses. Testing a simple cappuccino reveals espresso quality, milk technique, and core abilities better.
A Barista trial should be long enough to assess their skills without being too draining. Typically, a 20 to 40-minute trial is sufficient. This time frame allows the candidate to demonstrate their coffee-making skills, cleanliness, and customer interaction without the pressure of a full shift.
Common misunderstanding: Longer trials show more
Extended trials aren't automatically more revealing. Well-structured shorter trials respect candidates' time while still showing their capabilities and pressure-handling in real service situations.
Let's say you are running three-hour trials thinking this shows more than 30 minutes. Good candidates might refuse long unpaid trials, and you'll learn the same essential information much faster with focused testing.
Common misunderstanding: Trials should test endurance like full shifts
Testing stamina matters less in initial trials. Focus on skill, efficiency, and attitude rather than endurance. See how they perform key tasks, not how long they last under stress.
Let's say you are making candidates work entire shifts to test endurance before hiring. This tests physical stamina more than job suitability. A focused trial reveals coffee skills and customer service better than exhaustion levels.
In a Barista practical trial, key tasks to observe include their ability to pull a consistent espresso shot, steam milk to the correct texture, maintain cleanliness and organisation of their station, and how they interact with customers. Observing these tasks gives you a comprehensive view of their technical skills and customer service approach.
Common misunderstanding: Only the final coffee matters
Coffee quality matters, but how baristas achieve results matters just as much. Watch their process, hygiene habits, and customer interaction, not just the drink taste.
Let's say you are only judging the final cappuccino taste without watching how they made it. You might miss poor hygiene, wasteful techniques, or rude customer interaction that will cause problems daily.
Common misunderstanding: Slow candidates are unsuitable
Speed matters, but consider the context. Candidates might work slowly because they're being careful or learning your specific equipment. Judge their potential for improvement with training and familiarity.
Let's say you are rejecting someone who works methodically during their trial but shows good technique and asks thoughtful questions. This person might become faster and more efficient than someone who rushes but makes mistakes.