I’m going through a huge career change. I left my job with the support of my amazing spouse to pursue a career in coffee. I found an amazing program through Goodwill, met some incredible people, and had a teacher who genuinely poured into our little cohort. Now I’ve got some foundational knowledge, mock café experience, and an updated resume. In the words of our savior SpongeBob "I'm Ready!"
The problem? I’ve submitted countless applications through Indeed and Poached, and I’ve only heard back from two different places, three times total. I’ve answered questions, responded to recruiting teams, and tried my best to get my foot in the door, but I can’t seem to make it to the interview stage. Most of the responses I get are essentially, “We decided to move forward with another candidate,” without ever having the opportunity to meet me.
So, I’m genuinely asking: Is it REALLY possible to get a barista job in Seattle right now if you can’t even get an interview? Are coffee shops primarily hiring through referrals and word of mouth, or am I missing something? Is it just this competitive, or are some shops a little cliquey?
One shop actually reached out to ME twice, only to turn me down without even offering an in-person interview. 🥲 I’m trying not to take it personally, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t discouraging.
A little about me: I moved to Seattle about 10 months ago from the South (the Deep South, heh heh 😈 iykyk) with my spouse and pets, and we absolutely love it here! I have over 10 years of experience in operations, customer service, and customer retention. I’ve also taken the initiative to get my Food Worker Card and MAST permit on my own, in addition to completing my barista training program.
I’m kind, genuinely funny (at least I think so 😂), and passionate about creating unique, welcoming experiences for customers. I know I’m new to the coffee industry, and I’m not expecting anyone to hand me a job. I’m just looking for an opportunity to learn, grow, and prove myself.
For those of you working in Seattle cafés, how did you get your foot in the door? Should I be walking into shops with my resume, focusing on smaller independent cafés, networking, or doing something else entirely?
I’m genuinely open to advice because I really want to make this career change work. Any tips, leads, or words of wisdom are very much appreciated. ✌️