Bakers: Career & Application Guide

What do bakers do?

Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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