Walmart Orientation – Training, Expectations, & More!

Starting a new job can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to attending orientation. If you’ve recently been hired at Walmart, you might be curious about what to expect during your orientation session.

Thankfully, Walmart’s orientation is designed to give you all the important information you need so that your first couple of weeks are as smooth as possible. You’ll learn the following during your orientation period:

• Company Policies
• Workplace expectations
• Sales training
• Customer interactions
• Onboarding tasks

In some orientation sessions, you’ll have a chance to hear from speakers. This can be leadership within each department that hopes to inspire you along the journey.

How Long Does Walmart Orientation Last

Walmart orientation is the first step in your onboarding process as a new hire. The duration of the orientation can vary depending on your role and store.

Usually, expect to dedicate a full day to your Walmart orientation, which will cover all the necessary information and training to smoothly integrate you into the company’s culture and operations. Some positions may require more training and can last as many as three days.

If there are still things you need to master, then your orientation may be extended.

The orientation schedule usually begins early in the morning around 8:00 AM and lasts into the afternoon hours. If you’re completing your training in just one day, then you can expect this to last for a full 8 hours. They may split it up into blocks of two and four hours, especially if its a multi-day training.

If your People Lead doesn’t give a tour or skips parts of the orientation, then it could be considerably shorter. It varies!

The good news is that you are compensated for that time. You can expect that pay to be your normal hourly wage. Once training is over however, you’ll be paid at whatever the rate is for your hired role within the company.

Structure Of Walmarts Orientation

Your Walmart orientation will consist of training and classes presented by store managers, human resources, and experienced employees. The orientation team will assist you by sharing their knowledge, answering questions, and ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.

During your orientation, you’ll be exposed to several critical topics, such as:

• Sales training
• Safeguarding intellectual property
• Company expectations and policies
• Required skill practice modules
• Employee protection and workplace safety training

One of the many things you’ll need with you is documentation and ID. This way, they can get you plugged into their systems and have all the important stuff on file.

I’d suggest dressing comfortably too. During orientation, you may do some walking and need to move around within the store.

Pre-Orientation Requirements

Before your Walmart orientation, you need to fulfill specific steps and requirements. This includes things like the necessary background checks, drug screenings, and documentation.

Background Checks

Walmart conducts background checks on all potential employees. A personnel associate will initiate the background check after your interview and online assessment, either during your application process or shortly after.

This will verify your employment history, criminal record, and other relevant personal details. Being honest and accurate in your application is vital, as discrepancies may affect your employment chances.

Drug Screening

In addition to background checks, Walmart conducts drug tests on candidates. This is to ensure a safe and drug-free work environment.

The drug test will usually be done after your successful interview and before the orientation.

Documents

During your orientation, you must present identification and proof of eligibility to work. Bring these documents:

• Photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
• Social security card
• Any additional documentation requested by Walmart, such as work permits or professional licenses.

In addition, they will get you set up with your payments too. So, this requires having your bank information and proof address for direct deposit purposes.

An Overview Of Orientation Day Activities

Having many friends who have gone through the orientation process, you can expect the activities of the day to look something like this:

Company Culture and Values

You will dive into the company’s culture and core values during your Walmart orientation. These values are crucial to understanding as they shape the work environment and guide daily interactions.

Some of the fundamental values you will learn about include service to the customer, respect for teammates, cohesion in the workplace, striving for excellence, and acting with integrity.

Again, Walmart hopes they’ve got a great candidate vetted on these qualities during the interview. However, as is standard, this type of training is enforced in most workplaces.

Policies and Procedures

This orientation section will give you essential information about company policies and expectations. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these guidelines, as adherence to them ensures a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.

Topics covered may range from working hours and attendance to dress code and ethics. Pay attention to this part of the orientation, as it will help you navigate various situations you might face as a Walmart employee.

Tour of the Store

A store tour is an integral part of your Walmart orientation experience. Every Walmart store is a little different, and the way they run is as well, so for me, this is the most important part to take in.

As you walk through the store, you’ll better understand the store layout, departments, and their respective functions. This is also an opportunity to learn about team members’ roles and responsibilities, enabling you to understand how your position fits the bigger picture.

The tour will also highlight important areas such as break rooms, restrooms, and emergency exits.

Training Modules

During your Walmart orientation, you can expect to undergo various training modules catered to your specific job role. This ensures that you develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your position at the store.

Cashier Training

As a cashier, you’ll be trained to handle transactions, operate cash registers, and follow proper bagging procedures. This module will teach you the ins and outs of customer interactions, and you’ll likely engage in hands-on practice sessions to refine your skills.

In most cases, you’ll be working directly with another associate in real-life customer transactions. They’ll work with you long enough to make sure you know which codes to input and how to run the POS systems.

The nice thing is, if you ever have an issue, there is always someone on hand who can come by and help finish the sale.

Sales Training

Suppose you’re a sales associate or have a role involving customer interaction. In that case, the sales training module is designed to help you effectively promote products and provide exceptional customer service.

During this training, you’ll learn about product knowledge, communication skills, and how to build rapport with customers. You might participate in case-based learning scenarios, allowing you to gain experience addressing real-life situations.

Stocker Training

For those responsible for stocking shelves and maintaining the store’s appearance, the stocker training module addresses product placement and inventory management techniques. This section teaches you about proper stocking procedures, organization strategies, and maintaining a clean and visually appealing store.

Stocking is probably the most labor-intensive position in the store, so dress for the occasion.

Quizzes

Along with training on the floor, there are quiz modules that go along with classes and videos that you watch during orientation. The quizzes must be passed for you to move on. Usually, if you dont score high enough, youll need to retake it.

Post-Orientation Expectations

Once you have completed your Walmart orientation, you will move on to the next phase of your onboarding process. You’ll be expected to apply your newfound knowledge of company policies, expectations, and workplace safety.

In short, they want to see how you do in real-life situations. During this period expect to be monitored, and given regular feedback.