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How Do I Choose the Best Baker Jobs?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Baker jobs come in many varieties, so there are a few details to consider when choosing the best position for you. For example, you should take your preferences and skills into account when deciding whether to become a specialist, such as a cake baker, or to bake a vast number of treats. You also should consider whether there is room to advance at the job you choose, unless you want to stay in the same position for several years. Another aspect to think about when browsing baker jobs is your schedule, because some shops may have more desirable hours than others.

If you plan to bake for a living, then you should consider whether you have any preferences when it comes to the food you make. If not, you likely can be satisfied with baker jobs nearly anywhere, especially at bakeries where you will make a wide range of foods. This may be particularly appealing if you tend to get bored making the same treats each day. If, on the other hand, you like to focus on one kind of baked good, then you should look into a bakery that mostly sticks to the same food. For example, a doughnut shop, a bread store or a shop that sells cakes for all occasions may be best for you if you wish to make the same item often.

It's important to learn all of the food safety guidelines before working in a bakery.
It's important to learn all of the food safety guidelines before working in a bakery.

Another aspect to consider when browsing baker jobs is whether there is room for advancement. In some shops, there are varying levels of employees, so you might start out with few responsibilities and eventually become head baker. This may involve being in charge of other employees, though this may not be the case in small bakeries, where there are not many workers. There may not be much room for advancement in small bakeries, because the owner may act as head baker, which is why larger bakeries tend to be best for advancing through the ranks over the years. While checking out baker jobs, you may want to find out whether employees have a chance to take on more responsibility at a higher rate of pay, provided this is your goal.

Some bakers focus on pastries and desserts.
Some bakers focus on pastries and desserts.

You also should consider the hours you would be working as a baker. What is unique to this career is that you may have to work much earlier than the shop opens, because it can take hours to bake certain foods and the opening time is not necessarily the time you would need to get to work. When considering this, you also should keep in mind the days you might have to work. For example, privately owned bakeries are often closed on major holidays, while corporate shops, such as those inside hospitals and many major grocery stores, often stay open for at least part of the day on holidays to serve customers.

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    • It's important to learn all of the food safety guidelines before working in a bakery.
      By: Goran Bogicevic
      It's important to learn all of the food safety guidelines before working in a bakery.
    • Some bakers focus on pastries and desserts.
      By: Tesgro Tessieri
      Some bakers focus on pastries and desserts.
    • Pies are one kind of item a baker might focus on.
      By: jamierogers1
      Pies are one kind of item a baker might focus on.
    • Upscale bakers and cakemakers sometimes seek culinary students to serve as bakery apprentices.
      By: sepy
      Upscale bakers and cakemakers sometimes seek culinary students to serve as bakery apprentices.