They came in suits, jeans and short skirts. Some lined up hours before the place opened. One man carried a framed high school diploma.
McDonald's kicked off its much-hyped National Hiring Day with resume-collecting and interviews at restaurants around metro Atlanta, where the company plans to hire 1,000 new people -- an average of four new employees per restaurant.
In a shaky economy, the fast food chain is enjoying taking its pick of a stronger pool of applicants.
McDonald's always hires up in the spring to handle summer crowds. The available jobs -- about 50,000 nationwide -- range from minimum wage to managerial positions and cover both seasonal and more permanent positions.
This year the chain is on a major public relations offensive to tout the annual hiring, arguing that it offers strong opportunities and not just marginal "McJobs."
"It is a common misconception," said Karen King, who oversees 5,300 McDonald's restaurants as president of the East division and was touring the Atlanta market Tuesday.
With Georgia's unemployment rate at 10 percent, the idea of hiring on as a patty flipper or fry guy is an easier sell than in years past. More people with college degrees and 20-year careers in their rear view mirrors are applying, restaurant owners said.
Nelquita Clemmons of southeast Atlanta filled out an application at a Northside Drive McDonald's. Clemmons, 26, had studied to be a medical administrative assistant and had applied for several jobs.
She eyed the dozens of competitors at other tables. "We came from everywhere," she said.
At 8 a.m. dozens of jobseekers snaked through a McDonald's off Candler Road in Decatur. Owner-operator Yves Dominique noted that the hiring day publicity worked. He'd collected 150 online applications the night before.
A dark-suited Corey Wadsworth waited in line, holding a folder with a resume and a background check. He had gotten up at 2 a.m. and4 a.m. to care for his month-old son, and he sported a bruised cheek from a basketball game.
"I'm not going to let that stop me from getting a job," said Wadsworth, 22. "I'm going to get the job. Whatever job I get, I'll cherish it."
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