Gaines Township McDonald's participated in "National Hiring Day."
Gaines Township McDonald's participated in "National Hiring Day."
Gaines Township McDonald's participated in "National Hiring Day."
Gaines Township McDonald's participated in "National Hiring Day."
GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) - Fifty-thousand in one day - that's how many people McDonald's restaurants were planning to hire during Tuesday's "National Hiring Day."
Call it a golden opportunity at the "golden arches." The McDonald's chain of restaurants took the pressure off the job search for at least one day.
2,200 positions are available in Michigan, including several here in West Michigan.
Manuela Vodollari is the store manager of the Gaines Township McDonald's restaurant. She says job-seekers began lining up outside ready to apply and be interviewed, beginning around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
"I'm looking to hire at least ten people," said Vodollari. "It's actually been a lot of people [who applied for jobs] which will make it a hard decision for sure."
Vodollari was quick to remind everybody that, "there's a lot more to McDonald's than just flipping burgers."
Also on hand screening potential candidates was store owner, Carl Wiseman, who's personal climb through the McDonald's corporate ladder is a true inspiration.
"I started out as a crew person in Muskegon when I was 16-years old," said Wiseman, who now owns and operates six Grand Rapids-area McDonald's restaurants. "I was promoted every 18 months and eventually ended up becoming an owner and operator."
Wiseman believes the people who interviewed for the vacant positions Tuesday can follow his path to success.
"My area supervisor started out with me as a crew person and both my general managers started out as crew people," added Wiseman.
Moncheri Virgins is a 23-year old single mother. She was one of 72 people to apply for a job at the Gaines Township McDonald's Tuesday.
"I haven't been able to get a job lately so I thought this was a perfect opportunity,"said Virgins, who attended East Kentwood High School. "I really want this job; I need this job. I'm hoping I get a phone call saying I'll get a second interview, not that they don't need me."
Kent County McDonald's locations are looking to hire around 200 people. Ottawa County around 80, and Muskegon plans to fill 60 positions. Those who received interviews Tuesday will find out by the end of the week if they're gainfully employed.
A total of 410 people applied at the various McDonald's in Grand Rapids on Tuesday.