Local McDonald’s part of National Hire Day

If you are looking for a job, on Tuesday, April 19, put on your best shirt, comb your hair, and head over to McDonald’s. 

In a nationwide search McDonald’s will be looking to hire 50,000 more employees. Arizona intends to hire over a thousand new employees and on the same day, here in Maricopa—they will be having open interviews between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the John Wayne Parkway location.

General manager for both the John Wayne Parkway and Wal-Mart locations, Rikki Allenby will be conducting the interviews. “Locally, we are looking to hire about 15 people initially for part-time positions. However, at McDonald’s it’s up to the individual how far they want to go. We always promote from within, and we don’t have people come from other restaurants and just take a position our employees have worked for.”

Allenby is one of those McDonald’s success stories that can verify those long term opportunities and benefits. She started at the age of 15 and has been working with the company for 25 years. At a time when most people have experienced job instability or have seen businesses close, McDonald’s has been able to withstand the economically challenging times throughout its 60 year history. Besides stability, McDonald’s has traditionally helped employees pursue their educational goals.

“The corporation offers employees a chance at scholarships, management training and really allows you to make your own path in terms of education and employment.” said Allenby.

McDonald’s is the only restaurant organization recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) for their restaurant management curriculum that can be used as credits towards a degree.

“Also, what’s good—is that if you are a student, McDonald’s offers flexible hours.” said Allenby. “We always work with our employees to find a schedule that works around their curriculum.”

For the new positions Allenby will be looking for more individuals that are flexible with their schedules, noting that availability will be a major key to their employment possibilities. “I’ll really be looking for people that can work the late nights or the weekends.  But if they are open to working any shift, it will help their chances a great deal.”

Even though they do hire 15 year olds, Allenby is asking for individuals 16 and over. “Senior citizens and anyone that wants to work are welcomed to come in and apply. We do E-verify, and ,if a person has criminal history, they will not be disqualified from the process and it will not affect their chances of getting hired. I will be looking more at the potentials of each individual, their skills and their desire to work.”

People may walk in and fill out applications anytime. They may also submit them on-line. If they don’t have the opportunity prior to the 19th, they will still be able to walk in that day and fill one out. A greeter will ensure each interviewee has their application ready and will assist anyone who needs help filling it out prior to the interview with Allenby.

What: McDonald’s National Hire Day
Where: McDonald’s, 20700 North John Wayne Pkwy
When: Tuesday, April 19, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
To apply on-line go to: www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/careers.html

Photo by John Stapleton