Hello There! Let‘s Talk All About General Merchandise Jobs at Walmart

I want to provide you with a completely thorough guide to everything you need to know about landing a General Merchandise Associate position at your local Walmart.

Whether you‘re looking for an entry-level job or supplemental income, Walmart can be a solid option with its competitive wages and flexibility.

But is General Merchandise the right fit for you? This 2,800+ word guide will break it all down so you can make an informed decision.

I‘ll share key details on:

• What exactly General Merchandise associates do
• Salary and benefits overview
• Required qualifications and skills
• Insider pros and cons of the role
• Hiring process and application tips
• Related positions and promotion opportunities

Let‘s get started!

What Does a General Merchandise Associate at Walmart Do?

Walmart employs over 1.5 million associates across its 4,700+ US store locations.

With this huge workforce, the company needs flexible team members willing to assist where needed. This is exactly what General Merchandise associates do.

As a General Merchandise associate, you‘ll be cross-trained and empowered to support multiple store departments vs specializing in just one.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Assisting customers find items and answering questions
• Unloading trucks and organizing inventory
• Stocking shelves, racks, coolers, and displays neatly
• Building merchandise displays and seasonal sections
• Performing routine cleaning and store maintenance
• Monitoring inventory levels and reporting shortages
• Supporting department associates during busy times

It‘s a very hands-on role that allows you to gain experience across retail store operations. You‘ll get exposure to everything from working registers, to unpacking stockrooms, to tidying up sales floors.

Some key skills and abilities for success include:

• Physical stamina – ability to be on your feet and actively moving for hours
• Organization and time management
• Basic math and reading skills
• Strong teamwork and customer service skills
• Comfort learning and adapting to new departments

It can be fast-paced when truck deliveries arrive or during peak shopping hours when customers need more assistance locating items. But for those seeking variety and cross-training, it delivers!

What Are the Hours and Schedules Like?

Walmart stores are typically open 24 hours a day Monday thru Friday. Some locations also remain open 24/7 on weekends.

So General Merchandise associates may be scheduled for day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts based on store needs.

As a new associate, you will likely need to have broad availability to be scheduled anytime. But once you build some tenure, you may be able to secure more regular hours if desired.

Some common shifts for General Merchandise associates include:

• Early morning (e.g. 6AM – 2PM)
• Day (e.g. 11AM – 8PM)
• Overnight (e.g. 9PM – 6AM)
• Closing (e.g. 3PM – 11PM)

Part-time and full-time schedules are available based on what you are seeking. Full-time is typically 34-40 hours per week and part-time is under 34 hours.

Having some flexibility goes a long way since inventory deliveries can arrive late or be larger than expected. Being willing to occasionally extend your shift helps store managers keep things running smoothly.

How Much Does General Merchandise at Walmart Pay?

According to Walmart‘s website, the average hourly pay for a General Merchandise associate is around $15 per hour. However, wages can range from:

• Entry-level: $11 – $13 per hour
• 1+ years experience: $13 – $15 per hour
• 3+ years experience: $16 – $18 per hour

Here‘s how Walmart‘s General Merchandise pay stacks up against competitors like Target and Amazon:

Company	Average Hourly Pay
Walmart	$15
Target	$15
Amazon	$18

Part-time and full-time associates make the same starting hourly rate. All associates also receive quarterly bonuses based on store performance.

Additional perks include a 10% store discount on general merchandise and access to an Associate-Only Credit Union.

So the total compensation can quickly add up!

What Are the Steps to Apply and Get Hired?

The application process to become a Walmart General Merchandise associate is straightforward:

1. Visit the Walmart Careers Site

You can search and apply for jobs directly on Walmart‘s careers website. Look for openings at your desired location.

2. Select General Merchandise Listing

Find the General Merchandise job listing and click "Apply Now". This brings up the application.

3. Create an Account

If it‘s your first time, you‘ll need to create an account profile before applying.

4. Complete the Online Application

Fill out basic personal details, work history, availability, etc. Takes roughly 15 minutes.

5. Wait for Review

Give hiring managers about 1 week to review applications and reach out to schedule interviews.

6. Complete Interview Process

If selected, you‘ll need to interview successfully and complete pre-hire screenings before getting a final offer.

Then it‘s time for orientation and training before hitting the sales floor!

5 Key General Merchandise Interview Questions to Prepare For

When interviewing, expect questions like:

1. Why do you want to work at Walmart?

Focus on your interest in Walmart‘s culture, training, career growth potential, etc.

2. What retail experience do you have for this role?

Highlight any customer service skills, merchandising, inventory experience even if not specific to Walmart.

3. How would you handle an unhappy customer?

Share your approach to actively listening, empathizing, and finding a resolution.

4. How do you prioritize completing many tasks efficiently?

Discuss multitasking strategies and commitment to timeliness.

5. Are you comfortable standing for hours and lifting up to 50 lbs?

Assure your physical ability to handle the job duties.

Convey passion for the brand and willingness to learn new departments. This will help demonstrate you‘re a motivated team player willing to pitch in wherever needed!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Working as a Walmart General Merchandise Associate?

Here are some key pros and cons to weigh based on insider feedback from current and past General Merchandise associates:

Pros

• Higher Starting Pay Than Many Retailers: Walmart‘s around $15 per hour starting rate surpasses many entry-level retail competitors.

• Advancement Potential: Opportunity to take on more responsibility and be promoted up to department manager roles.

• Training Programs: Access to Walmart Academy training and Pathways development programs.

• Employee Discounts: 10% discount on general merchandise purchases helps you save money.

• Flexible Schedules: Ability to tailor full-time or part-time hours based on your availability.

• Fast-Paced: Keeps the work day interesting by going by quickly. Rarely monotonous.

Cons

• Physically Demanding: On your feet all day long, heavy lifting, and non-stop moving. Can be exhausting.

• Understaffing: Often not enough associates scheduled to meet demands during peak store times.

• Inconsistent Schedules: Hours and shifts can vary greatly week-to-week making it hard to plan other obligations.

• Limited Breaks: Often only short 15 minute breaks even when working 8+ hour shifts.

• High Stress: Fast pace plus understaffing contribute to high stress environment at times.

Overall, if you‘re seeking a part-time starter job with room for growth, it can offer solid retail experience. Just be prepared for peak periods of frenzied activity and the physicality of the role.

What‘s the Difference Between General Merchandise vs Merchandise Associates at Walmart?

At Walmart, Merchandise Associates specialize in certain departments like clothing, home, electronics, toys, etc. Their product knowledge and responsibilities focus only on those areas.

General Merchandise Associates have a broader scope working across the entire store. They are cross-trained to assist all departments rather than specializing in just one.

Here‘s a helpful comparison:

General Merchandise Associate	Merchandise Associate
Works multiple departments	Specializes in one department
Broader knowledge of full store	Deep knowledge of their department
Stocks, organizes all areas	Focuses only on their dept
Provides support storewide	Support customers in their dept

So General Merchandise roles offer great exposure to learn the full workings of the store and retail operations. It‘s an advantage for those seeking cross-training opportunities.

What‘s the Career Trajectory Like for General Merchandise Associates?

The great news is Walmart offers clear paths to advance into roles with more responsibility and pay.

Here are some common promotion trajectories from General Merchandise associate:

• Lead/Senior General Merchandise Associate
• Department Manager
• Shift Manager
• Assistant Store Manager
• Store Manager

Many managers actually start as hourly associates and work their way up.

In fact, over 75% of Walmart‘s store management teams started as hourly associates. The company proudly promotes from within.

So if you excel in your General Merchandise role, it can certainly open doors to bigger leadership positions and salary roles down the line.

Just make sure to take advantage of Walmart Academy training courses to keep expanding your skills. This shows initiative that will get you noticed!

Are There Other Related Jobs at Walmart I Should Consider?

If the wide scope of General Merchandise feels overwhelming, you may want to consider these related roles:

Cashier: Perfect if you enjoy interacting with customers and operating cash registers. More limited duties.

Stocker: Focused entirely on stockroom and inventory management duties. Less customer-facing.

Sales Associate: Specialized role in one department like clothing, home, toys etc. Narrower scope.

Cart Attendant: Outdoors role solely focused on gathering carts and keeping parking lot tidy. Very physically active.

So there are more targeted options depending on your exact interests that still offer entry pathways to working at Walmart.

Final Thoughts – Is General Merchandise at Walmart Right for You?

Overall, the Walmart General Merchandise associate role can provide a solid opportunity for:

• Those seeking entry-level work or retail experience
• Students looking for flexible part-time income
• Anyone interested in exposure to store operations and merchandising

The exciting variety and cross-training helps the days go quickly. Plus opportunity for advancement is a major perk.

Just make sure you‘re fully prepared for the fast pace and physical demands. You‘ll be actively on your feet, lifting, bending, and multitasking for hours on end. It‘s challenging but rewarding work!

I hope this complete guide provided the insider details you needed to make an informed decision on applying.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out! I‘m always happy to share more insights into landing a job with one of America‘s largest retailers.

Wishing you the best of luck in your Walmart General Merchandise career journey!