You love their deals and the fact that it's a one-stop-shop, but what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite superstore might surprise you.
6 Secrets I Learned While Working at Walmart
We asked former Walmart employee Julie Vasold to share her experience about what it’s really like to work for the retail giant.
There are rules about employee relationships
My first time working at Walmart was in 1992 at a very new store. We walked into an empty building and worked hard to set it up. I started as a cashier and was eventually promoted to a customer service manager, which put me in charge of the front-end operations, service desk, layaway and people greeters. It was such an awesome experience. I loved it. I left because I became pregnant while in a relationship with an assistant manager. Management wasn’t allowed to date people they supervised. Here’s what you need to know about Walmart+.
In the 90s, working for Walmart felt like family
The first time I worked for Walmart, I was surprised at how well they treated the associates. We were like family. I made a lot of friends and I felt a part of something bigger. Sam Walton (founder of Walmart and Sam’s Club) was an excellent leader and a huge inspiration. These are the things you’re probably not buying at Walmart, but should.
They welcome return employees
I decided to return to work for Walmart after I lost my job as an insurance agent. I made a list of all the jobs I worked at and then circled my top three favorites. Walmart was one of them so I decided to apply. I went back to work for Walmart from September 2014 until June 2019, just short of five years. I started as a part-time sales associate in sporting goods and worked my way up through several positions. I was a produce department manager, support manager and then a fresh cap supervisor.
The culture isn’t what it used to be
The company is always changing. When I went to the shareholders’ meeting in 2017, the ongoing theme was that the only thing consistent with Walmart is change. They did away with price matching, which was a surprise for me. Check out these other things you won’t find at Walmart anymore.
Keep an eye on the app
There aren’t many tips or tricks for shopping at Walmart. I would usually shop with my phone. Did you know that Walmart announced a new store layout?
If you’re a social being, this may be the job for you
The benefit for me was interacting with people. And I loved the experience. There were challenges that really helped my customer service skills. I also really liked cleaning the produce room. There was something satisfying with successfully completing a day. Next, check out these other Walmart secrets you probably don’t know.
Originally Published on Reader's Digest
