Voice-based digital assistants are slowly creeping their way in people’s lives by performing certain routine tasks. Be it listening to music, setting an alarm or a reminder, Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant and Apple’s Siri are making their presence felt. However, US-based fast food chain
McDonald’s has found a novel way of using Alexa and Google Assistant. Well, not ordering food as you can already do that, if you didn’t know but to look for future employees.
Thanks to Alexa, starting a job application is as simple as saying, “Alexa, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” McDonald’s says that this is the world’s first voice-initiated application process that seeks to drive applications worldwide.
You can also use any device with the Google Assistant built-in by saying, "Ok Google, talk to McDonald’s Apply Thru.” As the Apply Thru is further developed for the Google Assistant, the Action will be activated by simply saying, “Ok Google, help me get a job at McDonald’s.
As of now, the company’s voice-backed job application process is available on Alexa and Google Assistant devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK and is expected to roll out to other countries in the coming months.
How does the feature work?
After opening McDonald’s Apply Thru, users will have to answer a few basic questions ranging from their name, job area of interest and location. Potential applicants receive a short text message shortly thereafter with a link to continue their application process. So, yes applicants will need a smartphone or a laptop to eventually complete their job application.
In a press release, McDonald’s Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer David Fairhurst said, “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. 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.”