Your Complete Guide to Walmart‘s New Hire Orientation

Starting a new job can feel like the first day at a new school. It‘s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. When I got hired at Walmart, I had so many questions about what to expect from their orientation process.

After going through it myself and talking to other new hires, I‘ve put together this detailed guide to help you feel fully prepped and ready to make an excellent first impression when you begin working at Walmart.

Let‘s dive in and explore what‘s in store during your Walmart orientation!

When Will Walmart Call Me About Orientation?

After you get a job offer from Walmart, you probably can‘t wait to get started. But first comes the orientation process before you‘re unleashed in the store.

I know the wait can feel agonizingly long when you‘re excited to begin your new Walmart career. Here‘s a realistic timeline based on other new hires‘ experiences:

Position	Wait Time
Cashier	4-7 days
Stocker	1-2 weeks
Department Manager	2-3 weeks

Walmart hired over 230,000 new associates in 2021 alone. With that volume of hiring, it takes some time to get all the new employee paperwork and background checks processed before orientation.

My best advice is to be patient and keep your ringer on. The hiring manager will call you 2-5 days before orientation to provide the exact date, time, and location details. This short notice is normal—they likely have multiple new groups to organize schedules for each week.

If you‘re concerned about when you‘ll hear back, don‘t hesitate to call the store‘s human resources department and politely ask about the status. As a new hire, you should get priority treatment.

Do You Get Paid for Walmart Orientation?

This was one of my biggest questions, and I‘m happy to report that Walmart does pay you for attending new hire orientation training.

Your orientation pay will be based on the standard hourly wage for the Walmart job position you‘ve been hired for. The current Walmart average hourly rate is around $14 based on employee self-reports.

Here‘s how your orientation pay might look:

Position	Average Hourly Pay
Cashier	$11 – $13
Stocker	$12 – $15
Department Manager	$16 – $19

The orientation covers critical job training, so Walmart considers it regular work hours. You‘ll clock in and out just like any normal shift and receive compensation for the full duration of orientation.

Having paid training makes Walmart more attractive than retailers like Target that do not pay new hires for orientation time. Who doesn‘t love getting paid to start their new job?!

What Should I Wear for Orientation?

For my first day of orientation, I agonized over what to wear. I even considered buying new clothes for it. In hindsight, that was unnecessary. Walmart‘s dress code is super casual—after all, you‘ll be on your feet all day working.

Based on my experience, this gives you flexibility but I still recommend looking neat and professional. Here are some do‘s and don‘ts:

DO:

• Wear jeans or khakis without holes
• Choose plain polo shirts or Walmart-branded tees
• Go for clean sneakers or slip-resistant shoes

DON‘T:

• Wear shorts, ripped jeans, or graphic tees
• Show off cleavage or bra straps
• Wear open-toed shoes or sandals

You‘ll likely get your uniform vest and name badge on Day 1 anyway. I‘ve also seen some groups receive Walmart t-shirts during orientation.

The main goal is to look tidy, appropriate, and avoid anything too revealing or sloppy. But no need to sweat over dressing fancy for orientation day.

What Should I Bring to My Walmart Orientation?

Since orientation is mostly paperwork, don‘t stress about bringing a lot of stuff with you. Based on my experience, here are the key items I‘d recommend having on hand:

• Driver‘s license and social security card to complete I-9

• Blue or black pens

• Notepad and highlighters

• Voided check for direct deposit setup

• Sweater or jacket in case the training room is chilly

• Water bottle

• Lunch or lunch money (you‘ll get 30-60 minute break)

• List of questions you want to ask the hiring manager

You‘ll get freebies like a name badge and handbook, so no need to bring office supplies. Just focus on having the critical legal forms, taking notes, and staying nourished and comfortable.

When Does Orientation Start?

At my location, the morning sessions kicked off bright and early at 7 am. For night owls, this was painful but doable with some extra coffee!

Across stores, most Walmart orientations start between 7-9 am. End times vary based on part-time or full-time roles:

• Full-time: Usually 8 hours so ends between 3-5 pm

• Part-time: Lasts around 4 hours, ending 11 am-1 pm

The early start ensures enough time for training and allows you to avoid heavy customer traffic. Be sure to confirm your start time when the manager calls about orientation—set your alarm early!

How Long Is Walmart Orientation?

Between all the info they throw at you, Walmart‘s new hire orientation takes place over 2-3 days total:

Day 1: Formal orientation at the store, around 8 hours

Day 2: Self-paced online modules, usually 4-6 hours

Day 3: Shadow on-the-job training, around 6-8 hours

The time flies by thanks to all the presentations, videos, paperwork, and of course food! Here‘s a rough breakdown:

• 15% Intros and icebreakers
• 10% Company history and policies
• 20% Benefits overviews
• 10% Job expectations and skills
• 15% Store tour
• 15% Paperwork
• 15% Meals and breaks

Some positions like cashiers may also get an additional day of one-on-one register training at the end.

While it may seem like a lot upfront, spacing the training out prevents overload. You‘ll retain more and feel ready to work by the end.

What Happens on Orientation Day?

My own Walmart orientation was packed with activities from start to finish. While the agenda can vary slightly by location, here‘s an overview of what to expect:

• Get acquainted with management and other new hires

• Review the company mission and values

• Share fun facts about yourself—be ready for icebreakers!

• Learn about policies, procedures, and expectations

• Discuss wages, benefits, and paid time off perks

• Tour the store to scope out the different departments

• Set up your employee email address and logins

• Get assigned equipment like a register or price scanner

• Ask questions and meet your coworkers

• Officially get your uniform and name badge

There‘s also lots of paperwork sprinkled in between. It can feel a little overwhelming as someone new to retail, but the hiring manager keeps things moving and fun.

Overall, embrace the info download on Day 1—it sets you up for success from the start! Take plenty of notes.

How Should I Prepare for Orientation?

Starting a new job, let alone one as big as Walmart, is intimidating. Here are some things I wish I‘d done ahead of time to make a great first impression:

• Brush up on company info: Study basic facts about Walmart‘s history, store types, top-selling products, and competitors. Check their website and news coverage.

• Research the management team: Look up your new boss and colleagues on LinkedIn. Learn names, titles, backgrounds. It shows your interest level.

• Review handbook and policies: Scan Walmart‘s public-facing employees policies so you know what to expect. It may be dry but will help you follow along better.

• Shop for work clothes: Check your closet a week ahead and purchase affordable uniforms or work shoes if needed.

• Plan your schedule: Arrange childcare, transportation, and other obligations for orientation days. Don‘t make other plans or appointments.

• Charge your devices: Ensure your laptop, tablet, and smartphone are charged up to complete digital paperwork and modules. Bring chargers just in case.

• Sleep and eat well: Get extra rest, fuel up on protein, and limit caffeine so you can stay focused.

• Make an impression: Smile, maintain eye contact, give firm handshakes, and convey positive energy at all times.

What Should I Keep in Mind for Orientation?

To help you make the very most of your Walmart orientation, here are some of the key tips I found most useful as a new hire:

• Take notes by hand. You‘ll retain more information when you write it down versus only typing. Bring multiple pens and highlighters.

• Ask questions. No question is dumb, and asking for clarification shows you want to learn. Never be afraid to speak up!

• Mix and mingle. Use breaks to introduce yourself and get to know other new hires. These will be your future work buddies!

• Be punctual. Arrive 10-15 minutes early every orientation day. Tardiness or absences reflect poorly.

• Watch body language. Sit upright, make eye contact with speakers, nod along, and avoid folding arms nervously.

• Review material after hours. Re-read notes and manuals during free moments to reinforce what you learned.

• Get contact info. Request email addresses and phone numbers for trainers and managers in case issues come up later.

Following this advice will prove to the hiring team that you‘re engaged and committed to starting off on the right foot.

What Comes After Orientation?

Once you make it through the orientation whirlwind, the real work begins! But don‘t worry. The training ensures you‘re well equipped to excel in your new role.

After orientation, you‘ll likely have a few days of one-on-one training at your assigned department or cash register. This gives you a chance to ask job-specific questions before the store gets busy.

Then comes the true test—your first regular shift. But if you pay attention and engage during orientation, you‘ll walk in ready to tackle stocking shelves, greeting customers, or running the register like a pro.

Before you know it, all the info from orientation will become second nature. And soon you‘ll be the experienced colleague training the next batch of new Walmart associates.

The Key Takeaway

Starting any job comes with a bit of nerves and unknowns. But Walmart‘s new hire orientation process covers everything you need to start strong.

Now that you know what to expect, you can look forward to orientation as a helpful crash course in all things Walmart. Soak up the training, make connections, ask questions, and have fun!

The skills you gain in your first week will serve as the foundation for your Walmart career. I hope this guide provides some assurance so you can walk in prepared and ace your Walmart orientation.

Let me know if any other questions come up! I can‘t wait to hear how your first few days go.