How to Tell If You're Fit to Be a Barista

Yawn. *Alarm goes off at 3:30am.* Sure, baristas are charming. They wake up, look fabulous, memorize everything, and give us our caffeine. We love them. Most of us have probably considered becoming a barista to pay off the college debt or help with rent (seems a hell of a lot easier than being a stripper, right?) but in all reality, some people could never make the cut to slay gourmet beverages. Here's a list from a four-year going strong barista that could help you determine if you could have sizzlin' espresso skills.

1. You're great with getting three hours of sleep. When people ask me for a job recommendation, I immediately ask them to think about this: try to be asleep at 9:00pm (even with Netflix and Twitter), set your alarm and be up at upwards of 3:00-4:00am, manage to apply a full face of work-appropriate makeup or shower entirely, be prepared to smile your entire shift, be a therapist, and not mess up drinks. Don't brush it off until you try it. Most of you couldn't last.
   
2. You're not a fan of teamwork but could be a team player if you needed to. A lot of local baristas in those small cafes love working alone. There's only one of you making messes, nobody is in your way when you have a rush, and the tips are all yours, baby. Occasionally, in a busy season or work-rush times, you'll have a coworker or two - but they totally understand what it's like, and you can all flow with the espresso.
   
3. You're a total nitpicker when it comes to pronunciation. You don't have to be a grammar Nazi or an English teacher to know that it's espresso, not "expresso". You also giggle inside when your customer pronounces an americano as "americana", or a breve as a "breeve". 
   
4. You're a genuine believer in the power of caffeine. Even if you personally don't get along with the world's favorite hot bean water, you understand that caffeine is what gets people throughout their day. That dude who always delivers pizzas to you and your friends on Friday nights? He probably needs a latte or two to get through his shift. Let's face it, coffee makes the world go 'round. Baristas can't talk the talk if they don't walk the walk - your job is important! Be passionate or go home.
   
5. You're lacking attention span and love to be busy. Lastly, most baristas are thankful for their job because they keep us busy, keep us on our toes, and constantly sharpen our memory. If you're an over thinker and need to be distracted from reality, being a barista will take your mind off things for up to 8 hours a day. Seriously! Being a barista is fast-paced and filled with speedy drink-making, constant cleaning, never-ending stocking, and always coming home with coffee scented hair. What's better for someone looking to keep busy? Being a barista is one of the most rewarding jobs out there!