McDonald's Job Applicants: 35 Questions Away From Employment

April 19, 2011 — -- Today is McDonald's National Hiring Day, a move to sign up 50,000 employees, many for its 2,600 franchises across the country. The young and old, the curious and desperate applied online and in person for crew, management, and support positions -- answering a 35-question assessment test.

It's the hamburger chain's biggest push for new hires, with reports around the country of packed McDonald's restaurants. The recruiting campaign comes at a time when the American economy is at long last generating new jobs after a nearly three-year slowdown.

George Dys, 61, said he applied for a manager position online after his local McDonald's in Rhode Island had run out of paper applications. He said the online application took about 20 minutes, with 15 minutes for the assessment questions.

"I'm just hoping for the best now," said Dys, who has been looking for a permanent slot since being laid off in 2008 while working at various contract jobs in between.

Dys said he has taken several similar assessment tests, such as for sales jobs with Verizon and AT&T.

One question, obtained from McDonald's career website, asked: While you are working, you overhear a pair of coworkers on break. The two are talking about another team member because she works too slowly. What would you be MOST likely to do?

-Tell the team member that others are talking about her and she should work faster.

-Keep working on my own tasks and say nothing to the coworkers.

-Suggest that the coworkers directly talk with the person who works too slowly.

-Tell the coworkers not to complain about another team member.

-Suggest that the coworkers talk about their concerns with the supervisor.

While most job hunters may get nervous at the possibility of being critiqued, the questions are for the benefit of both applicant and employer, said Rob Amrine of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

Amrine said there were at least four clients from his organization applying to McDonald's as part of its hiring day. The organization has about 900 clients, concentrated in the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand areas of South Carolina.