As one of the world‘s largest retailers, Walmart is a popular destination for job seekers attracted by the company‘s massive reach, competitive pay, and opportunities for growth. In fact, Walmart receives around 38 million job applications per year for its 1.7 million US roles, according to data from the company‘s 2022 ESG report.[^1]
But with that level of interest, many candidates find themselves wondering: how long will it take to actually land one of those coveted blue vests? Is the Walmart hiring process a sprint or a marathon?
The short answer is that it depends. Factors like job type, location, and time of year can all impact the pace of Walmart‘s hiring pipeline. But in general, most applicants can expect to go from clicking "Submit" to clocking in within about 2-4 weeks, with some recent hires reporting timelines as short as 24-48 hours.[^2]
Let‘s take a closer look at each step of the process and what applicants can expect along the way.
Anatomy of the Walmart Hiring Journey
The Walmart hiring process typically includes five key steps:
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Online application (1-2 hours): The first step is filling out Walmart‘s online application, which includes questions about work history, availability, and job preferences. Set aside at least an hour for this stage.
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Pre-employment assessment (1 hour): Next, candidates complete an online assessment with 65 multiple-choice questions covering topics like problem-solving and customer service. Most successful applicants select "Strongly Agree" or "Strongly Disagree" to demonstrate decisiveness.[^3]
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In-person interviews (1-2 hours): Candidates who impress on the assessment are invited for two in-person interviews, first with a department manager and then with a store manager or assistant manager. Each interview lasts around 30 minutes.
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Background check & drug screen (2-5 days): All Walmart job offers are contingent on passing a criminal background check and, for select positions, a drug screening. Results are typically returned within a few days but can occasionally take longer.
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Orientation & training (2-3 days): Finally, new hires spend their first official days on the job in orientation, completing paperwork, watching training videos, and learning Walmart-specific policies and procedures before hitting the sales floor.
All in all, the process from application to first shift typically spans 10-20 days, putting Walmart neck-and-neck with other major retailers known for their speed like Amazon (12 days on average) and Target (14 days).[^4]
However, Walmart has recently been piloting an even more ambitious approach: extending job offers immediately after the in-person interview stage, contingent on passing the background check and drug screen. This means some applicants can go from candidate to employee in as little as 24 hours.[^5]
While this accelerated process isn‘t available for all roles or locations yet, it signals a larger shift in Walmart‘s hiring mindset as the company looks to snap up talent faster in a tight labor market.
Picking Up the Hiring Pace
So why exactly is Walmart in such a rush to fill roles these days? The company‘s hiring sprint is driven by a few key factors:
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Stiff competition for retail talent: With many retailers hiking wages and sweetening benefits to attract workers, Walmart wants to ensure it can secure high-quality candidates before they‘re swooped up by rivals like Amazon or Costco.[^6]
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Pressure to reduce turnover: Walmart‘s turnover rate for frontline associates hovers around 60% per year.[^7] Streamlining hiring can help minimize gaps between an employee departing and their replacement starting, reducing strain on remaining staff.
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Desire for better candidate experience: A drawn-out hiring process can be frustrating for applicants and reflect poorly on Walmart‘s employer brand. The company aims to create a "fast, easy, and transparent hiring process" to strengthen its reputation and boost offer acceptance rates.[^8]
But while speedier hiring offers clear benefits for Walmart and its candidates, some have expressed concerns about potential tradeoffs. If managers feel rushed to fill roles, they may be more likely to make hasty hiring decisions that could translate to retention and performance issues down the line.[^9]
Walmart will have to keep a close eye on these risks as it continues fine-tuning the balance between hiring speed and quality. But one thing is clear: the days of the sluggish, months-long retail recruitment process are numbered.
Your Walmart Hiring Game Plan
Now that you understand the process, how can you ensure your Walmart application zooms through to an offer? Here are some tips to stay on the fast track:
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Apply early: Walmart job postings can attract hundreds of applicants within days. The sooner you get yours in, the faster you‘ll move through the pipeline. Set up job alerts so you can pounce on new opportunities.
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Maintain open availability: Flexibility is a big plus for Walmart hiring managers. The more shifts you‘re willing to work, the more valuable you‘ll be. Aim to be available at least 3-4 days per week, including some weekend hours.
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Ace the assessment: Successful candidates make strong statements on the pre-employment assessment. Don‘t waver in the middle—choose "Strongly Agree" or "Strongly Disagree" to show you‘re decisive and self-assured.
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Shine in your interviews: Showcase your enthusiasm, customer service mindset, and growth aspirations in your interviews. Managers are looking for candidates who are eager to contribute and build a career with Walmart. Have specific examples ready.
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Don‘t ghost: Prompt communication is key to keeping your candidacy clipping along. Check your email and voicemail frequently, and respond immediately to any requests for documentation or next steps. A 24-hour turnaround keeps you at the head of the pack.
If you‘re still in limbo after 3+ weeks, it may be worth reaching out to your store‘s hiring manager for a friendly status check. But don‘t be discouraged if it takes a bit longer—delays like manager vacations, internal role changes, or unexpected staffing shifts can all lengthen the process.
The Road to the Blue Vest
Landing a job at Walmart isn‘t an overnight endeavor, but it doesn‘t have to be a glacial process either. By understanding the key steps, anticipated timelines, and potential speed bumps, candidates can chart the quickest course to their own blue vest success story.
While a start-to-finish process of 2-4 weeks is the current norm, Walmart‘s increasing emphasis on hiring speed means that more and more applicants may find themselves on a 24- to 48-hour fast track to employment in the near future.
The best thing hopeful associates can do is be prepared, professional, and proactive at every stage of their Walmart journey. Submit a strong application, crush the assessment and interviews, and be ready to dive in as soon as your background check clears.
Who knows? This time next month, you might just be waking up to your very first 5 a.m. Walmart shift—and the start of a rewarding new retail career.
References
[^1]: Walmart Inc. (2022). 2022 Environmental, Social & Governance Report. Retrieved from https://corporate.walmart.com/esgreport2022/esg-issues/human-capital[^2]: Walmart Careers. (n.d.). Walmart Hiring Process FAQs. Retrieved from https://careers.walmart.com/faqs/
[^3]: Job-Applications.com. (2022). Walmart Assessment Test. Retrieved from https://www.job-applications.com/walmart-assessment-test/
[^4]: Yello. (2020). How Long Does It Take to Hire? Interview Scheduling Statistics. Retrieved from https://yello.co/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-hire-interview-scheduling-statistics/
[^5]: Walmart Inc. (2022). Walmart Reinvents the Hiring Process with "24 Hours to Hired". Retrieved from https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2022/03/01/walmart-reinvents-the-hiring-process-with-24-hours-to-hired
[^6]: Holman, C. (2022). Understanding Amazon‘s Hiring Process. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/amazon-hiring-process-4774155
[^7]: Ton, Z. (2016). Why Good Jobs Are Good for Retailers. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2012/01/why-good-jobs-are-good-for-retailers
[^8]: Walmart Inc. (2021). Walmart is Testing Ways to Streamline Job Application Process. Retrieved from https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2021/04/12/walmart-is-testing-ways-to-streamline-job-application-process
[^9]: Cooper, C. (2015). The Costs & Risks of a Poor Hiring Process. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/costs-risks-poor-hiring-process-cathy-cooper/
