Can't get hired by McDonald's = Fail?

Northstarmom
Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:59:36 +0000

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.

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.

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.

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.