SAN ANTONIO -- Hundreds of San Antonians streamed into the new JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa Thursday to check out job opportunities, six weeks before check-in time.

The resort plans to fill 500-600 jobs and is staging a job fair that continues from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday on site, located at 23808 Resort Parkway.

Among the crowd members clutching resumes and eagerly chatting with resort personnel was Hector Ibarra, who was hoping to land a position managing one of the seven restaurants or bars at the resort.

"(The) country club I was working with in Minnesota closed for the winter season and I couldn't find anything," Ibarra said. "So, I came back to San Antonio."

The resort is filling a variety of positions, including management, guest services, food services, housekeeping, recreation and spa-related jobs. Starting pay for all non-tipped positions is $10.50, according to resort management.

"Turnout has been tremendous," hotel manager Derek Ellis said, adding they plan to hire immediately. "We are hopeful to have 80-85 percent of the workforce hired by the tail-end of next week."

Gina Wilkes, who moved from San Diego to San Antonio last year, was hoping to be among those hired. She applied for a position in event coordinating and catering.

"I owned a catering company where I came from, so it's sort of a natural fit," she said.

Michael Hendricks, a 13-year employee with Amtrak, said he came to the job fair to find a company he could grow with.

"Hopefully, I'll get a job as a cook or server," he said. "I would rather be a server because I like being around people."

The massive resort, spa and golf development opens doors Jan. 22.