As a minor, when you seek your first job, Walmart comes across as an attractive opportunity.
But you may be curious about whether your age reaches their minimum age.
What Is the Minimum Age to Work at Walmart?
At Walmart, to get a job, you have to be at least 16 years old. The age requirement policy is executed across all of its locations, consistent with Walmart’s adherence to certain labor laws and regulations and its internal employment standards.
However, you should note that some specific positions at Walmart may need you to be 18 at least because of the nature of duties involved.
If you want a job position at Sam’s Club, which is a division of Walmart, requires a minimum of 18 years old.
Can You Work at Walmart If You’re 14?
As mentioned, Walmart’s minimum age limit for most of the entry level jobs is 16 years old. Thereby, 14-year-olds can’t work at Walmart.
Can You Work at Walmart If You’re 15?
Similar to 14-year-olds, Walmart does not employ 15-year-olds. The company upholds its policy of entry-level applicants being 16 years old at minimum.
What Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Work at Walmart?
Walmart has various entry-level jobs for teenagers who are 16 years old and above. Such roles are cashier, greeter, stocker, and selectively sales associate positions in different departments.
Cashier
Checkout counters at Walmart are manned by cashiers who are tasked with attending to customer transactions. Their job involves scanning goods, completing transactions, and providing a positive checkout experience for the customers.
Cashiers also respond to customer queries and may assist in guiding them to products in the store.
Requirements:
- Communication skills for dealing with clients.
- Basic mathematical skills for cash transactions
- Standing endurance runtime
Greeter
When customers enter the store, greeters offer them shopping carts and answer any questions they may have. They also help in loss prevention, receipt check and watching exits to ensure items have been paid for.
Requirements:
- Friendly and welcoming demeanor
- Good communication skills
- Observant and attentive to details
Stocker
Stockers are assigned to make sure that shelves and presentation areas are completely stocked, well arranged and appealing.
They unload delivery trucks, control stock in the backroom, refill shelves, and make sure products are well organized and easy to find. Stockers can also help in positioning displays for promotional or seasonal items.
Walmart seeks to create a safe work environment; they train on the correct lifting, and they provide equipment to help with heavy items.
Requirements:
- oper lifting and carrying techniques for heavy objects
- Ability to manage inventory in an organized manner
- Attention for detail for the products to be shelved and labelled correctly
Sales Associate
Sales associates work in the departments (e.g., electronics, apparel, groceries) in which they are specialized, and they are responsible for helping customers locate products, providing product details, and giving recommendations.
They can also perform inventory activities e.g. re-stocking racks, and re-arranging items within their area.
Requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of the department’s products (training is given)
- Superior customer service and communication skills
These are all positions that offer on-the-job training, so they are ideal for people who have no work experience at all. Investment is made by Walmart in training programs, so that new employees get all necessary skills and confidence to work in a quite professional manner.
Such positions may also demand to work various shifts that may include evenings, weekends and holidays depending on the store’s operation. Flexibility and ability to work different hours can be a plus for those looking to become a part of the Walmart team.
All positions in Walmart at the entry-level are highly appreciated in terms of soft skills. Characteristics such as being dependable, positive, approachable, friendly and having strong teamwork skills will have a big impact on how well an employee performs their role.
Is it a Part-Time Job or Not for a 16-Year-Old Position?
Yes, the majority of the entry-level positions at Walmart for 16-year-olds are part-time. Such time arrangement is ideal for individuals who are students or who have a second job or other commitments like school or other activities.
Part-time positions at Walmart can be flexible, and you can gain work experience and take care of the other aspects of your lifestyle.
How Much Does A 16-Year-Old Can Make at Walmart?
The pay for a 16-year-old starting at Walmart can differ depending on the location, the state’s minimum wage laws, and the position.
In the recent updates, Walmart has raised its starting pay to attract and keep workers with the starting wages usually being in the range of $11 to $17 an hour for a starting-level positions.
So that as a 16-year-old with no work experience at all, you will start at the bottom of this wage scale. Walmart provides growth and promotion opportunities as well, mainly for those who prove themselves through their hard work and loyalty.
Is It Easy to Get Hired at Walmart?
It is relative to your qualifications and the competition.
Here are a few tips to increase your chances of getting hired:
- Submit your complete and accurate application.
- Focus on relevant skills and experiences, even if they were acquired in school or in the context of volunteer activities.
- Prepare your interview by conducting your own research on common interview questions and answering practice.
Does Walmart Hire Without GED or Diploma?
Walmart indeed employs a person without GED or high school degree in some entry-level positions.
For new entrance into the workforce, such as teenagers, in particular, this represents an excellent opportunity to obtain employment and put into good use work experiences without the need to possess formal education certificates.
People who take up positions like cashiers, stockers, and sales associates usually are trained at the job and do not need a particular education background, which makes Walmart an ideal choice for those who are still in school or who have taken alternative paths.
Is Walmart a Good First Job?
Walmart is actually a great first job to some minors for a few reasons.
Gain Transferable Skills
You can get transferable skills at Walmart such as teamwork, communication, time management, and customer service. These competencies are worthy and can be utilized in future career prospects in diverse sectors.
Opportunities for Advancement
Walmart stands out for its practice of promoting from within. Most employees who begin in a position on the first level get promoted to higher level positions within the same company. Perfessional development may be attractive especially for young people who have just begun their journey in their career.
Flexible Scheduling
Realizing the pressures on students and the younger workforce, Walmart provides flexible scheduling that allows its employees to reconcile their professional duties with studies, thus, being an appropriate solution for those who are pursuing an education.
Therefore, the first job that Walmart can provide you is a strong basis, which will teach you the worth of diligence, duties and the role of customer care. It serves as a stepping stone to advance not only within the company but also create a resume that can lead to opportunities in other fields.
How to Apply for a Job at Walmart?
The procedure of applying for a job at Walmart is quite simple. You can apply online or in store.
Online Application
The main approach to use is via Walmart’s official careers website. One way is to search for available positions in your area, check the job description and consider the role requirements.
Once you’ve identified a suitable position:
- Register at Walmart’s careers portal
- Fill in the online application form providing your personal data, education information and the record of any work history
- Provide any further information required for the specific role
- Sit for any assessment tests that may be required for the job you’re applying to
In-Store Application
Kiosks are also available to apply in-store at some locations. If this is more convenient for you or if it is expected for the position you are interested in, please go to the local Walmart or Sam’s Club.
Here’s how to proceed:
- Find the in-store hiring kiosk, which is generally situated close to the customer service desk
- Access the Walmart employment application system via the kiosk
- Please follow the on-screen prompts to enter your details, work history, and any other relevant details
- Take the assessment test if it is part of the job you are choosing
Interview Process
After the submission of your application, and if you meet all of the requirements, you may be called in for an interview. This could be a telephone interview, a digital meeting, or a store interview.
To prepare, it is recommended to recollect the type of interview questions that are typical in such situations related to teamwork, customer service, and problem solving.
To create a good impression, you should dress appropriately for your interview even if you are an applicant for an entry-level position.
Furthermore, Walmart suggests you can ask these questions to make you stand out in an interview:
- What is your favorite thing about working here?
- What skills your team lacks and what you would like to see in me?
- I’m really excited about this position in the company. Kindly offer me some tricks to succeed.
