Let’s be honest right from the start. Not a single kid dreams of working at Walmart. Unless they dream of working as a CEO of Walmart, or having one of the executive roles with the retail giant, taking home over $200,000 annually. But interviews for executive jobs follow completely different rules than interviews for jobs mortals apply for with Walmart. In such an interview nobody is going to ask you why you want to work for Walmart, or what your strengths and weaknesses are…
Reading this page, however, I am sure you are applying for an ordinary job with Walmart, such as cashier, sales associate, hourly supervisor, etc. And in such a case you will face the question “Why Walmart?”, often even several times: while completing your job application, and later while interviewing for the job, on the phone or face to face. What do the hiring managers want to hear from you?
First of all, they want to hear a realistic reason. That means why the job is a good match for your strengths and personality, for your expectations and career goals, for the present situation you face in your life. And secondly, they are eager to hear some words of praise on the company, wondering why Walmart instead of Kroger, Costco, Target, Amazon, Wegmans, or one of their other competitors.
Honestly speaking, it isn’t an easy question, especially the second part. In terms of working conditions, most giant retailers beat Walmart, offering their employees slightly better wages and more attractive employee benefits. But you should still try to come up with something, at least half-honest, to explain your preferences for Walmart. Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question, including some unconventional responses. I suggest you to check also the text below the list of answers for conclusions and hints on how to make the best possible impression on the hiring managers at Walmart.
7 sample answers to “Why do you want to work at Walmart?” interview question
- I’ve been a customer of Walmart for years. I like the selection, the pricing policy, the affordability of a variety of goods you sell here. When I was looking for a new job, and saw your job ad amongst other job ads, I was intuitively attracted to give this a shot. I just feel it would be nice working for a company I like as a customer. What’s more, I’ve read the job description, feel that I meet the job requirements, and considering everything, I see this position as a good choice, at least at this stage of my professional career.
- I’ve got a recommendation from a friend. She’s also a student, working as a part time cashier here. And she likes the place, and the team, and the manager, and basically said good things about the job. The workload is heavy, but I do not feel intimidated by the task. On the contrary, I want to work hard, and I like the flexibility when it comes to shift patterns. That’s why I decided to apply with you.
- Speaking honestly, I chose Walmart mostly for logistical reasons. I do not have a car, but live just five minutes walking distance from the place, and that’s an advantage hard to beat. Because as someone with kids, the last thing I want is spending an hour or two commuting to work every day. Do not take me wrong though. I know the brand of Walmart, like the philosophy of the company, and generally have positive associations with the brand. And though I like other places too, they aren’t as close to my apartment, and that’s why Walmart won.
- I applied with Walmart because I am realistic about my chances. Look, with my age and experience, I cannot dream of getting some corporate or even some office job. One has to be realistic about their chances, and I know I do not have many options. Walmart gives a chance to almost everyone, and it is one of the reasons why I like your company, and do my shopping at Walmart. And while it isn’t the easiest job in the world, I have to work somewhere, because I have bills to pay like everyone else. I will be grateful for an opportunity here, and you can be sure I’ll try my best in the job every day.
- I’ve just feel the job in your Auto Care Center is a great match to my personality and preferences. I always liked cars, and when you look at my car, you can see it is always perfectly clean and well-maintained. To me, it seems like a great job taking care of the cars of the customers, making sure they are clean and safely maintained. That’s why I decided for Walmart–because your company advertises the particular job I’d like to have.
- I dream of making a career in your company. Aiming for managerial roles, and perhaps even executive positions, I know I have to start from the bottom and build my reputation. For most people, Walmart is a mere goods retailer. For me, it is one of the biggest employers in the world, with over two million employees, and more than 10,000 stores around the globe. That’s a huge operation, with endless career growth opportunities for ambitious and hard-working people like me. I’d love to stay with the company for many years, and help you maintain your excellent position on the market, or even improve it.
- Walmart is America to me. I love the spirit of the company, the support of national production. And I am a follower of all your non-profit activities, lately related mostly to the pandemic. To me in many ways Walmart enables poorer people of United States to buy decent goods and eat decently, which is an important mission I’d like to be a part of. What’s more, reading the job description and following my experiences from shopping here, I feel I’d be a good match for the team you have in place, and will enjoy my time at Walmart. These are the main reasons why I want to work at Walmart, and not at one of your competitors.
Do not talk about your wage
At the end of the day, we work because we need money to live. And you will earn a decent wage at Walmart. But it would sound ridiculous to the store managers and hiring managers if you referred to wage as your reason for choosing Walmart.
First of all, Walmart pays minimum wage or close to it to many of their employees. Secondly, it has no competitive advantage in this regard, because their major competitors either pay their employees slightly better, or they pay them the same money.
And last but not least, it isn’t a good practice talking about money in your interview. Hiring managers can easily get an impression that you care only about money, and that’s not an impression you want to leave in your interview. Do not worry though. They will talk about money, when the right time arrives. Let the topic to them, and choose something else when explaining your reasons for choosing Walmart.
Brutal honesty will help you stand out
Maybe you apply with Walmart because you see it as your only option. Perhaps you’ve been unemployed for a long time, or have just few years left until retirement, or have never worked anywhere and find it hard to get any interview invitations. But you always have a chance with Walmart.
Such a big company with so many stores and employees is always hiring new people, for both full time and part time positions. And they do not have any special expectations when it comes to education or previous experience. They give a chance (at least to interview for a job) to almost everyone, and it is definitely one of the great things about Walmart. Being honest about your situation can do wonders for you in the interviews. Especially if you can connect it with heaping some praise on Walmart, and the opportunities they give to the people….
Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Do not forget to check all Walmart interview questions though, or one of the following articles to succeed in your interviews:
- How to overcome interview nerves – Get rid of anxiety and show them your very best on the big day.
- Walmart management interview questions – Learn how to get a managerial job with Walmart.
- 15 most common interview questions and answers – What are your weaknesses? Why should we hire you? What motivates you at work? Learn how to answers the common interview questions you can face at any place, including Walmart.
- Why do you want to work at Target?
