Up to 60 jobs need filling before the new-look store on the corner of Cobra and Gipps streets is scheduled to open towards the end of next month.

On Saturday August 30, locals interested in working for Oporto in Dubbo are being urged to head to Western Plains Cultural Centre on Wingewarra Street between 10am and 3.30pm.

Taking along a resume is optional, with the chicken restaurant chain that fed 13 million customers in 2007 interested in discovering “a sense of their personality”.

Oporto Dubbo is looking for full-time, part-time and casual staff in customer service and food preparation.

Males and females of all ages and job experience are welcome to turn out to take part in the recruitment process preferred by the chain founded by Antonio Cerqueira at North Bondi in 1986.

“For new stores Oporto prefers to use this method of recruiting,” a spokeswoman said. “We tend to get a good turnout especially in regional areas. We find face-to-face interviews much better than over-the-phone interviews or via resumes. This method allows Oporto the opportunity to meet the person, and get a sense of their personality.”

On arrival at the cultural centre, wannabe employees will be asked to fill out a form before being interviewed for 10 to 15 minutes by either an Oporto executive from its head office or Dubbo franchisees Matt and Nicole Tucker of Bathurst.

“We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable, flexible and genuinely friendly people who are as passionate as we are about serving great-tasting products,” the spokeswoman said.

She said candidates would be able to attach their resume and references to the supplied form.

But previous experience was not necessary as Oporto provided “full on-the-job training”.

Three managers are already on deck to lead the future team at Oporto Dubbo. The spokeswoman said the construction of the Oporto store was “on schedule”.

kim.bartley@ruralpre ss.com