You should get into the habit of asking for a job application when you go to Starbucks. And not only because you're a destitute DC intern scrambling for cash from whatever French-roast smelling hand will pay you, but because you can get free coffee out of it.

And it's so simple. I discovered this loophole in corporate hiring when I was wandering up and down Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown applying anywhere that would allow me in the door (by the way, Subway has a mini math test on their apps, beware!). I stepped into the bean-infused shop and approached the Altar of Coffee where I humbly asked if I could fill out a job application.

"Sure." The large lady with the long, painted nails replied. "What kind of coffee you want?"

"No, no coffee, thank you. Just a job app." I replied. If I had the money to buy a Grande Iced Chai tea and a muffin I wouldn't be applying to work for Starbucks.

"Nah, honey, don't worry about. You just fill out that application and you get a free drink."

Jaw drops.

"Honey?"

"Yeah. Wow. I'll take a Grande Iced Chai tea. And a pen. Thanks."

Pushing through a Starbucks job app can take 30 minutes if you're doing it thoroughly (as I was trying to do), but it can also take, say, five minutes if you're only in it for the free caffeine boost.

Quick disclaimer: I called the Starbucks Corporate office and they said that this isn't a company-wide policy, but rather store-to-store.

But hey, what the hell? Give it a shot. Worst case scenario is that you get an app and no free coffee; you were going to do that anyway. But if you can get free coffee, in return for them giving you a piece of paper, well then, order a Venti. Who knows, you may even end up getting a job out of it.

--Ryan Werder