McDonald's Corp is making its annual preparations for a summer jobs hiring spree, although for the first time it will set 50,000 as its goal.

People interested can begin to apply today at stores or online. Some locations will be holding hiring events on April 19.

If the Oak Brook, Illinois-based firm manages to reach its goal, that will boost the fast-food retailer's workforce by 7.7 percent to 700,000.

Not all the jobs will be seasonal, spokeswoman Ashlee Yingling told Reuters.

It's a mix of permanent and temporary jobs, she said.

[A] McJob is one with career growth and endless possibilities, the company said in a released statement.

Yingling said many of the company's executives and franchise owners began at entry-level positions with the company.

Typical wages are over $8 per hour, she said.