Jina Ennis used to work for a government agency.

Marilyn Hawkins was a psychiatric nurse.

And Tim Lewis has always been in retail.

But they all have one thing in common. They've been laid off for months. Now, they said it's Wal-Mart to the rescue.

"The way the economy and everyone looking for a job this is a perfect opportunity. They are mass hiring and have many employees," Ennis said.

The Wal-Mart on the Apex Peakway is still under construction, but Manager Theresa Drake said they are hiring every position from part-time associates -- making on average about $11 an hour -- to full-time supervisors.

"I've opened stores previously and this is a better turnout, actually a great turnout all together," Drake said.

The company has set up a hiring station in Morrisville where people such as Marilyn Hawkins can fill out application online and be interviewed by one of the managers.

"I've been looking for a job for eight months and this is a great opportunity for me. Hopefully it will work out," Hawkins said.

If applicants don't want to travel to Morrisville, they can apply right from their home just by going online to walmart.com/careers.

"The best way I found to apply is online. It's convenient and really easy," Ennis said.

Applicants like Tim Lewis said this will help people all over the Triangle but in particular Apex and its residents.

"The job I was laid off from was across town. I was looking for something close to where I live. Wal-Mart is just up the street," Lewis said.

The Apex Chamber of Commerce Director of Economic Development Jim Stella agrees.

"It keep people working, keeps people in the community because they're not moving other places to find a job," Stella said.

The Morrisville hiring center will be open and accepting applicants until the beginning of September.

Wal-Mart is hiring about 400 people in total. Drake said they already have about 100 people hired and in training. They will begin work on Sept. 8 and the store will officially open on Oct. 14.

Currently, there are 114 Wal-Mart stores in North Carolina.