<p>So, I filled out an application at two different McDonald’s locations in town, both of which I know for a fact are hiring. I did this about two weeks ago. I still have not received a call back. I’ve applied to various other fast food restaurants (not hiring) and retail stores (ditto). </p>
<p>So how do I get hired by McDonald’s. I’ve been job searching for almost 2 months now and still nothing. I used to think getting hired by McDonald’s simply required a pulse but I’m being proven wrong. I need the money if I want to have ANY spending money.</p>
<p>McDonald’s actually has a pretty impressive career path.</p>
<p>I was once in a McDonalds and saw a manager interviewing a candidate. He looked around 15 or 16. He went to the local Catholic school, had previous work experience, was groomed and dressed neatly for the interview and had good grades in school. He sounded like a sure thing there (it’s a busy place located just off a highway).</p>
<p>When you filled out the form, did you have a chance to talk to a manager or did you just drop it in a box? One thing that students have against them right now is that they have to go back to school in September. There are lots of older folks looking for work that can stay on past the start of the school year.</p>
<p>Well, I am looking to keep working during the school year, albeit only on weekends (maybe one night during the week if they need me). </p>
<p>I did not have a chance to speak with the manager. I spoke with an employee who told me to just set it down. I stuck around to try and speak with a manager but they kept getting busier and busier (I went during the slowest time of the day) and the employee kept giving me the “get the hell out of here, we’re busy” look. </p>
<p>I have great grades, references, have babysat, etc. I don’t know what else I can do.</p>
<p>Hey folks your going to run into this a lot in life. Many employers want employees only smart enough to do what they say to do, and not ask why. I would imagine that a lot of folks here on CC would not be “good employees” for employers who want people who show up and shut up. Just apply someplace else.</p>
<p>Call and ask to speak w/manager. Show interest. If I’m looking to hire, I would be looking at the application of someone who made the effort to speak to me. If it’s not a good time, ask when is a good time.</p>
<p>Would you all recommend that I call and ask to speak with a manager or go in? Someone recommended that I call instead of go in because going in is too assertive. </p>
<p>All three of my DDs applied at one time or another to a local espresso shop as have many of their friends, only one person made it past the first cut, and she had barista experience. Do you show any food or customer service experience? If not, is there anything you have done that you could put on the resume? Working in the school caf, the football fund raiser food booth, etc?</p>
<p>Also, if 100 people drop off an application in a week, I will eliminate via handwriting/neatness, experience, availability, my familiarity with any one on their references, etc. If there are tons of apps you need to stand out in a good way, like meet the manager, usually 2-4pm is the best time in a restaurant.</p>
<p>Well, my mom owned a restaurant for 10 years (until we moved and she became general manager of a food chain) and my uncles both own restaurants. I have grown up in them and helped out since I was probably 6 years old… I wrote that down and thought that would give me a “hook” (weird using that term for McDonald’s, LOL) compared to the drones of others that apply with absolutely no experience.</p>
Since you say the manager already gave you the evil eye for hanging around there, I’d try calling to make an appointment. Perhaps a half hour after opening, when things have settled down a little but business hasn’t picked up too much… but with your restaurant experience, you’d probably know that kind of thing better than I. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was also not hired at McDonald’s–one of the first times I had ever been turned down in my life! They had a policy against hiring BF/GF & looked at my app & his & decided he’d be much more likely to stick with them than I (they were right because he has been with them for decades from HS on–literally–& I would NOT have). It may sound weird but having stellar grades may count against you if they’re looking for longtime workers and figure you’ll move on when you’ve gotten your degree, etc. I’d agree that you should try to go in during a slower time and ask to speak with a manager (hopefully a different one). Good luck!</p>
<p>It is not all about stellar grades, they are building a crew. Maybe they have enough big strong people, and they need some small agile ones to clean under the shelves. Just stay on the waitlist and hope that a need for someone of your profile opens up.</p>
<p>Your time profile is limited. A lot of people can work weekends. You’re competing against a lot of people, including those who are employed full time but need a second job in this economy. They may be looking to hire people who can work the odd shifts - overnight, closing, early morning. Those are the shifts that are harder to cover.</p>
<p>They are looking for employees who can work long hours and are likely to stay with them a long time, not high school and college students who will either leave in Aug./Sept. or greatly reduce their hours then.</p>
<p>Given the economy, you’re competing against mature adults who have extensive work experience and also can work long shifts and M-F during the day, including after school begins.</p>
<p>Just dropping an application in a box isn’t enough. You need to talk to the manager and drop by or call to follow up. If you drop by, wear business attire, not something super casual, and don’t bring a friend. Employers look for employees who seem to really want the job – i.e. those people who are assertive enough to do more than drop an app in a box.</p>
<p>Assuming that since one is in college or is college-bound one will be put at the top of the pile is a mistake. It’s not easy getting fast food jobs now with so many capable adults being out of work. Employers also would in general prefer to hire adults who need the $ to support themselves than to hire students who are just looking for some extra cash for nonessentials. The former type of employee is probably going to be more reliable and hard working than is the latter, many employers believe.</p>
<p>I was rejected by a bunch of random retail and food places when I applied during high school. The best way to get a job like that is to have a friend who already works there. If you have a friend that the manager likes, s/he can get the manager to actually look at your application.</p>
<p>What venkat89 said about knowing someone who already works there was true for us - fast food joint that my D works for hired my S this summer. In PA, you have to be 18 to work the fries frier, so he is limited in what he can do for now, but I am ecstatic that he is employed part time this summer and can continue weekends during the school year.</p>
<p>McDonald’s is the only job I have ever applied for and not gotten in my 30+ year employment history. I applied in HS and told I was “overqualified”. I actually think they figured smart kids are involved in a lot of extracurriculars and may be difficult to schedule around.</p>
<p>I have known kids to have good success with BK (high turnover), Wendy’s, and Long John Silvers.</p>
<p>I am so glad DD had her summer job secured months ago.</p>
<p>D is home for the summer and has applied to at least a dozen places… no call backs except for one, a catering company which signed her up two weeks ago but has yet to call for any real work. She’s sent email information to employers advertising on Craigslist, met with managers in person at restaurants and other shops and nothing. I’ve called in favors from friends who “know people” who might be hiring. I’ve been keeping an eye out around town for help wanted signs and there aren’t any. </p>
<p>It’s a bad, bad time to try to find a job. It doesn’t help that she returns to college out of state at the end of September and she got home in mid-June, a full month after other college kids returned home and scooped up any temporary work. Sigh. </p>
<p>I also read recently that only 19% of the Class of 2009 (college class) were employed at graduation!</p>
Good luck!</p>