Hundreds of job hunters have inundated Nissan with applications for 400 new temporary posts.
But the car giant is still urging anyone interested to get in touch.
The Echo reported how the firm is to create 400 temporary jobs with the reintroduction of a third shift at its Sunderland plant.
The extra workers will help Nissan cope with a
predicted rise in orders for the Qashqai when the car undergoes a facelift next month.
A spokeswoman told the Echo today: "We have already had around 400 applications, which we are very pleased about, and more are continuing to come in every day, but we are still keen to hear from anyone who is interested.
"We are actively looking for people with certain specialist skills – time-served mechanics, auto-electricians, panel beaters – as well as those with no previous experience in the industry.
"We have started interviewing already and the first new employees will start work in April, when they will take part in the six-day induction programme here at the plant.
"Anyone wishing to apply for one of the new posts can do so through our website www.nissan-recruitment.eu"
The jobs announcement, just over a week ago, brought some welcome good news for Wearside on the day Shop Direct unveiled plans to axe 900 posts with the closure of its Hendon call centre.
Nissan's third shift, abandoned a year ago with the loss of 1,200 fixed-term and permanent posts, will be reintroduced in May and is expected to last about six months.
As well as creating 400 new temporary posts, the move also secures work for 160 existing temporary staff while the firm expects more posts to be created in its supply chain, the vast majority of which is based locally.
The first model to be completely designed, engineered and built by Nissan's UK operation, the Qashqai has been a spectacular success for the firm and demand has remained high despite the recession.
Plant bosses are hoping the Juke, which will replace the Micra on Sunderland's production line later this year, will repeat the Qashqai's success.
Based on the Qazana concept car, the new model will be officially unveiled to the world's motoring press in Paris on Wednesday.
