It’s the first of its kind: the Apply Thru.
McDonald’s Corporation is now using Amazon’s Echo device to help find new employees. Those interested in applying for a job at one of the world’s largest and most recognizable fast food brands only have to ask ‘Alexa’ to help. According to a press release from the company, the smart assistant can “assist with the first step of a McDonald’s restaurant job application, helping drive talent attraction worldwide through the McDonald’s Apply Thru skill.”
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The skill launched this week and is part of McDonald’s global hiring campaign. As part of the campaign, the company wants to highlight all of the opportunities McDonald’s has to offer employees. The press release notes that in the U.S. alone, more than 128,400 crew members have gone on to become nurses, nearly 490,000 have become teachers and more than 2.4 million have become entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the Associated Press is reporting:
“McDonald’s employs 2 million people at 38,000 restaurants worldwide, and its needs are constantly changing based on turnover and seasonal demands. Over the summer, the Chicago-based company said it was hiring 250,000 people in the U.S. alone. McDonald’s is currently seeking 338 part-time crew workers in the New York area and 414 in Toronto, according to company hiring sites.”
“We must continue to innovate and think of creative, and in this case, groundbreaking ways to meet potential job seekers on devices they are already using, like Alexa,” said McDonald’s Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer David Fairhurst. “Alexa has many of the qualities we look for on our teams — friendly, responsive and fun. I am looking forward to having our application process simplified with Alexa.”
Voice initiated hiring is definitely a new way to stand out in a tight job market. The U.S. unemployment rate currently stands at 3.7 percent. Meanwhile in the U.K. and Germany, unemployment is below the 4 percent mark.
In order to initiate the process, one only has to say, “Alexa, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” Next, the user will be asked a few basic questions such as their name, job area of interest and location. Then, applicants will receive a short text message with a link to continue the application process.
“Alexa makes life easier, and we’re thrilled to see McDonald’s utilize voice to create a simpler, more convenient job application process for customers,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Alexa. “With Apply Thru, customers can start the process for a job at their nearest McDonald’s restaurant – all they need to do is ask.”
Amazon’s Echo device isn’t the only smart assistant using the Apply Thru app. It can also be used with the Google Assistant by saying, “Ok Google, talk to McDonald’s Apply Thru.” As the app is further developed and refined for Google, the experience will be similar to the one used with the Echo device. The app is available on Amazon Echo and Google Assistant devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. and is expected to roll out to other countries in the coming months.
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