Hyundai Montgomery Plant Flooded with 20,000 Job Applications
Hyundai’s Alabama factory saw nearly 20,000 applications for 877 new production jobs after announcing a second shift, forcing a temporary halt to the process.
Hyundai’s decision to add a second production shift at its Montgomery, Alabama plant in May 2012 created 877 new jobs, drawing an overwhelming response from jobseekers. By 22 May, nearly 18,500 people had already applied, with the total quickly approaching 20,000 before the company temporarily suspended the application process on 18 May due to the surge.
The new roles were announced as Hyundai expanded output at the Montgomery facility, which builds models for the US market. The company partnered with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) to manage the recruitment process. Applications were submitted online through AIDT’s website, with the agency tasked to select the strongest candidates for further assessment at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) plant.
With such a high volume of interest, Hyundai and AIDT narrowed the field to around 6,000 to 7,000 candidates for the next stage. The assessment process included a multiple-choice test followed by interviews with Hyundai team members. Interviews began on 14 May and were scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. The company processed about 200 candidates per day, aiming to identify the most suitable workers for the new shift.
Why demand outpaced supply
The flood of applications reflected the strong demand for stable manufacturing jobs in Alabama at the time. Hyundai’s expansion contrasted with news from other automakers facing job cuts or plant closures, such as PSA Peugeot Citroën’s announced European redundancies and ongoing labour disputes at Hyundai’s own South Korean plants. For local workers, the Montgomery plant’s new shift offered a rare opportunity for steady employment with a major manufacturer.
The application process was set to reopen and run through 2 June, giving further candidates a chance to apply. Hyundai’s approach, using a third-party agency to filter and assess applicants, helped manage the volume and ensure a fair selection process. The company’s human resources department said it was seeking the best available talent from the region, with candidates eager for a chance at one of the coveted roles.
Implications for the local workforce
The scale of interest highlighted both Hyundai’s draw as an employer and the limited availability of manufacturing jobs in the area. While only a small fraction of applicants would be hired, the process underlined the value placed on automotive jobs in a region where such opportunities can be scarce. The plant’s expansion also reinforced Hyundai’s commitment to US manufacturing, even as other carmakers were reassessing their North American operations.
For comparison, Ford’s Dearborn plant required 850 new workers for its F-150 production ramp-up in the same period, but the response in Alabama was exceptional in scale. Hyundai’s experience demonstrated both the appeal of automotive jobs and the economic pressures facing workers in the US South in 2012.
