Finding a Job at McDonald's Canada is Now as Simple as Asking Alexa

A world-first, innovative voice technology helps people in Canada easily start a job application at McDonald's where they can make friends for life

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - McDonald's has collaborated with a voice millions of Canadians have come to know and love. Amazon's Alexa can now act as a first step in helping people in Canada apply for a restaurant job at McDonald's. This world's first technology will help attract talent nation-wide, and is part of McDonald's larger investment to transform and modernize how guests and employees experience McDonald's.

The voice-initiated application process is available today as part of the recently launched Friends are Made at McDonald's hiring campaign, which seeks to drive applications across Canada and celebrates meaningful relationships made in the workplace.

"Incorporating voice technology is a new and convenient way for us to engage candidates and for them to learn more about the different career opportunities available at McDonald's. It's a world first in recruiting," said Stephanie Hardman, Chief People Officer at McDonald's Canada. "This functionality is an important step in our ongoing journey to find innovative ways to connect with Canadians and to help kick-start a career at McDonald's Canada."

Thanks to Alexa, starting a job application is as simple as saying, "Alexa help me get a job at McDonald's." You can also use any device with the Google Assistant built-in by saying, "Ok Google, talk to McDonald's Apply Thru." As this function is further developed for the Google Assistant, Canadians will be able to activate by simply saying, "Ok Google, help me get a job at McDonald's. The voice experience is available on Alexa and Google Assistant devices in both English and French. Users can jump-start their application process by providing basic information. Potential applicants receive a brief text message shortly thereafter with a link to continue their application process.

"Alexa makes life easier, and we're thrilled to see McDonald's utilize voice recognition to create a simpler, more convenient job application process for McDonald's applicants," Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Alexa. "With Alexa, Canadians can start the process for a job at their nearest McDonald's restaurant – all they need to do is ask."

Whether you are looking for a first job, part-time job or long-term career, working at McDonald's can serve as a powerful launching pad for a diverse range of opportunities. According to a recent survey* completed by McDonald's:

• More than 50,000 McDonald's Canada crew members have gone on to become IT professionals
• Almost 35,000 have made a career in teaching
• Upwards of 59,000 have become small business owners across Canada

"Our aim is to maintain a workplace that is equally challenging and rewarding, and where lifelong friendships can develop," said Hardman. "Developing strong relationships in the workplace serves an important role in anyone's professional development, and we want to continue to foster an environment where that is encouraged and celebrated."

Additional Facts:

• Fifty per cent of McDonald's franchisees started their careers as crew and have gone on to build successful businesses as entrepreneurs
• 83 per cent of the nearly 100,000 people from coast-to-coast who are employed in either corporately owned or franchised restaurants are millennials.

To learn more about job opportunities at McDonald's Canada, visit https://careers.mcdonalds.ca/canada/jobs?page=1

About McDonald's Canada
In 1967, Canadians welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Canada has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving close to three million guests every day. More than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Nearly 100,000 people from coast-to-coast are employed in either corporately owned or franchised restaurants. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada visit McDonalds.ca 

*Made at McDonald's Survey Methodology

Dynata conducted an online survey on behalf of McDonald's among previous McDonald's restaurant employees and specific professionals (Senior managers, Nurses, Engineers, IT professionals, Teachers, Small business owners and Marketers), 18+, who reside in the U.S., France, Germany, Australia, Canada and the U.K. between July 9-31, 2019. A total of 11,400 responses were collected. The online surveys are not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. The final number detailing former McDonald's employees in each profession was managed by Development Economics and calculated by multiplying the incidence of people in each profession who reported being previous McDonald's employees by the total number of people in each profession based on national labor statistics. 

SOURCE McDonald's Canada

Media requiring more information or wishing to arrange an interview please contact: Melissa Di Costanzo, External Communications Manager, McDonald's Canada, [email protected]