At a Glance
- Tasks: Create welcoming experiences by serving great coffee and delicious food to students.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at SUSU, run by students for students.
- Benefits: Enjoy annual leave, discounted bus passes, and a lively work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours during term-time with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life while honing your hospitality skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and teamwork; previous café experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 12.6 - 15.4 £ per hour.
Are you passionate about great coffee, delicious food and creating welcoming experiences for students? Join our team at SUSU Venues, where our cafés and hospitality spaces are more than somewhere to grab food and drink — they are places where students meet friends, study, relax and feel part of the University community. As a Barista & Hospitality Assistant, you will play a key role in creating that experience by providing outstanding customer service, preparing consistently excellent coffee, serving fresh café food and helping to ensure every customer leaves with a positive experience.
The role combines hospitality, barista skills, food preparation and customer service, with a strong focus on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and valued. The role may also involve serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during evening trading and private events. Please note that this role is 22.5 hours per week, 34 weeks per year (term-time only).
About You
To thrive as a Barista & Hospitality Assistant, you will be approachable and enjoy working with people. You will have a genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service and take pride in producing high-quality food and drinks. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. You will be able to remain calm under pressure and work effectively as part of a team, particularly during busy trading periods. You will have a basic understanding of food hygiene and be committed to following food safety, health and safety and environmental procedures. Previous café or hospitality experience, barista experience and experience preparing simple café food would be desirable. A Food Safety Level 2 qualification would also be desirable, as would experience serving alcohol in a licensed premises and knowledge of Challenge 25 and responsible alcohol retailing.
About Us
We are the University of Southampton Students' Union (SUSU) – independent from the University and run by students, for students. Our vision is simple: SUSU is here to enrich the life of every student. We are a workplace that’s buzzing with life, ideas, and opportunities – where your work directly shapes the student experience.
As part of our team, you'll enjoy:
- Annual leave entitlement will be accrued at a rate of 12.07% of your working hours
- Discounted UniLink and Blue Star bus passes
For any queries before submitting your application please contact Gary Smith (Head of Social Enterprise), gaz.smith@soton.ac.uk or Ines Del Hoyo (Deputy Venues Manager), I.Del-Hoyo@soton.ac.uk
SUSU is an equal opportunities employer that values a diverse workforce, and we want to reflect the student body that we represent. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination, and will ensure that our recruitment activities are mindful of equality and diversity matters.
Please use your covering letter to tell us:
- Why you are interested in the Barista & Hospitality Assistant role at SUSU.
- What skills, qualities and experience you would bring to the role.
- An example of when you have delivered excellent customer service and/or worked effectively as part of a team.
- Any relevant experience you have in a café, hospitality, barista, catering, food preparation or licensed premises environment.
Barista and Hospitality Assistant in Southampton employer: University of Southampton Students' Union
As an Activities Coordinator at SUSU, you will thrive in a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises student engagement and community building. With generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive holiday allowance, and a strong commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and equality. Join us in fostering a dynamic atmosphere where your contributions help shape the student experience and empower future leaders.
Contact Details:
University of Southampton Students' Union Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Barista and Hospitality Assistant in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at University of Southampton Students' Union and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Barista and Hospitality Assistant in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at University of Southampton Students' Union that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at University of Southampton Students' Union.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at University of Southampton Students' Union get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Southampton Students' Union
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at University of Southampton Students' Union and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
