List of 40 Wal-Mart Interview Questions & Answers
Availability
1.
What is your availability?
What You Need to Know
Retail work often demands flexible work hours, often spent on one's feet. You may work rotating shifts full time, and on occasion overtime as well. Staff shortages are a common concern as well. Your answer will help them gauge your flexibility and expectations. Best to be honest. If you have other priorities or demands that limit your flexibility or availability, it is worth clarifying this now. It's better for all concerned to clarify this up front.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I have open availability. Whatever the team needs, I'm here to help."
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
2.
What was your least favorite job? Why?
What You Need to Know
Most people have worked a job that they don't particularly love. When relaying why it was your least favorite position, relay it for the right reasons, such as not feeling there was enough growth opportunity or challenges to further you along your career path. Always put a positive spin on the negatives. Attitude is everything here. Always exhibit a team oriented, professional growth mindset is the standard of consistent you want to aim for throughout your interview.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Many years ago, I worked as a waitress at a local sports bar. I liked the job because of the customers, but I didn't feel appreciated by my boss. He was negative, even during the busiest and most challenging shifts. I did my best and worked hard, but moved on when I had the opportunity. I learned that having a boss who is encouraging and motivating can make such a world of difference!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Behavioral
3.
What unique qualities about yourself would you bring to our company?
What You Need to Know
There are some things that your resume cannot do. Showing off your great personality is one of them, for instance! This question is an excellent opportunity to share your soft skills (or interpersonal skills). Share your experience and approach to your time management, project management, communication skills, emotional maturity, and any difficult to quantify traits, such as a positive attitude. Any leadership qualities and/or an ability to motivate your teams or setting the workplace. Demonstrate to the interviewer your customer service skills are above and beyond. You are willing to work your hardest and make sure Wal-Mart will always be a place where customer satisfaction is guaranteed, where friendly service can be expected. Talk to the interviewer about some of your unique qualities and be sure to tie these qualities into how they will benefit the company, should they hire you.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I have a unique ability to strike up a conversation and build rapport with nearly anyone. This skill is a great help when it comes to customer service and sales. My up-selling percentages are always very high."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Community Answer
"I am a very positive person even when I am having a hard day, I will always stay positive, and I'm a very friendly person most people tend to get happy when they are around me."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Being friendly and positive are wonderful qualities. The interviewer should be very happy to hear that you will bring a positive outlook to the Walmart environment.
Behavioral
4.
How do you deal with monotonous work?
What You Need to Know
They want to ensure you'd be a sustainable hire, and that you'd stay onboard long term. They're trying to ascertain whether you'll burn out quickly from the monotony of the job. Offer your understanding of what the position you are interviewing for looks like, and assure them you're cut out for the job.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
5.
Who is your role model and why?
What You Need to Know
Talk to the interviewer about who has inspired your life and why. A candidate's role model, or figure of inspiration, will offer a glimpse into their personality, philosophy, and approach to life and work. Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, an author - anyone! Be relatable and try to inspire conversation.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
6.
How do you expect to make a difference at Walmart?
What You Need to Know
Research their company and explore their mission statement and core values. As stated on their website, 'Since the first Walmart opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, we've been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers. Today, we're helping communities save money and live better all over the world.' This question assesses how familiar you are where their company and values, while ascertain how align your values are with theirs. If their mission statement is part of what drew you to pursue this opportunity, let them know.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
7.
Tell me about a recent high-stress situation you were in. How did you recover?
What You Need to Know
Retail work can be at times be exhausting. They are often high-pressured work environments, requiring a fair share of mental flexibility. Offer your understanding of high-stress work environments and a thorough understanding of what's expected of you. Share how managed stressful situations, logistically and emotionally. Describe where you steer your focus to stay positive and productive when the tough gets going. Describe the tricks you apply to maintain your focus while keeping the stress at bay. It's fine to have stress as long as the stress doesn't have you. Emotional balance is what you should aim to convey with your answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
8.
Why should we not hire you?
What You Need to Know
Start your answer by saying there is no reason not to hire you. Advertise your merits and all the positive qualities you'd bring with you. Tell them you are difficult to reprimand because you take ownership of your growth opportunities at every opportunity. Tell them you are actively looking to improve yourself and help others over achieve as well.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
9.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
What You Need to Know
If your hobbies present conflicts with work, such as saying you have full availability to work any hours so that you have a better chance of landing the job, but then also relay that in your spare time you spending every night performing live with your band until 2am, then your interviewer will doubt the authenticity of your previous answers throughout the interview set. This question can also provide you with an opportunity to make yourself more seem interesting and more relatable. Taking this approach could result in some connective conversation that might leave the interviewer with a more memorable interview experience.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
10.
What are some of your weakness?
What You Need to Know
Your greatest weakness in its own right can be viewed as an asset. Choose weaknesses that are not a required essential skill for the job. Be sure to have an action plan in place to improve in this regard. Your answer may provide the insights into your self-awareness and emotional intelligence and how proactively you identify your weaknesses as growth opportunities that you're already aware of and actively working on. Remain conscious of your body language throughout the interview process. Make sure your answers remain consistent with how you present yourself.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
11.
Do you prefer working in a team environment or alone?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is trying to get a feel for your personality and how you interact with others. You may be self guided in your work, or perhaps you thrive in a collaborative team environment. Either way, be transparent with the interviewer about your preferences. How you answer this question will also clue them into how well you would function in their work environment, and will assist them in placing you where you would be best suited. Most people fall somewhere in the middle between these two extremes. The most important thing is to exude a sense of self-awareness. Be honest and confident. If you are one, the other, or both, offer storytelling examples where you've used this to your advantage and shined.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
12.
What are some of your weaknesses?
What You Need to Know
Pick weaknesses that are not a core skill for this position. Where possible, pick a weakness that is behavioral and could be viewed, in its own right, as an asset. Wanting to prove yourself and having difficulty asking for help can be one weakness that is also a strength. Another is an eagerness to please, having difficulty saying no and taking on more projects than you can handle at one time. Advertise an ability to recognize your own weaknesses and display you're actively working on these growth opportunities. Have an action plan in place. Show enthusiasm and an ambition for self growth.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
13.
What is your best personal trait?
What You Need to Know
This question should be easy, so try not to overthink it. Share your marks of pride and describe what you believe makes you shine. Provide the personal strengths you feel make you excellent at your job. Strengths can be skills or qualities which allow you to overcome challenges. Your strengths help you understand a client's needs and apply what you have learned from your setbacks. Whatever your answer may be, be prepared to describe a scenario in which you have applied that trait for the benefit of the workplace. Share those strengths and attributes which have most lent to your success.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
14.
How would your references describe you?
What You Need to Know
If you have a relationship with your references which bridge into your personal life, be careful how much you share. It's great to offer how well you get along with your superiors and your team. Exude confidence in your answer, and stay on course with what you believe others would say you have to offer.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Behavioral
15.
How would you improve Walmart if you were CEO?
What You Need to Know
This is a tricky question when you aren't privy to the inner working of the company or the challenges the company's executives face. The best approach for preparing for this question is to do a bit of research online for any articles or interviews with their chief executive officers on this topic, such as the uphill battle facing the company's fierce competition with companies such as Instacart, Amazon and Target. Try not to be presumptuous or arrogant when delivering your answer. Instead, use it as an opportunity to showcase that you did your research on the company before the interview, and that you stay up to date with what is happening in the industry. This will display you as going above and beyond when preparing for your work, and being proactive in your training and knowledge.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Career Goals
16.
Where do you see yourself in the Walmart organization in two years?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is checking to see how motivated you are to be working at Wal-Mart long term. Employee turnover is a constant in the retail industry. The recruitment and onboarding process requires a lot of extra expense, which could be reduced by finding the right candidate who's interested in a long-term employment opportunity. If you're a career minded professional with a five-year career plan, share how working with Walmart fits into your goals. Whatever your reasons, assure them you are looking for a long-term position are would like to know about the opportunities for growth within the company.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Career Goals
17.
Why are you pursuing a position at Walmart?
What You Need to Know
Before your interview, spend some time talking with people who work there and ask them what they enjoy about their experience. Look online and explore their website and familiarize yourself with their core values. When you've shopped there, what part of that experience resonates with you most? Then, assemble a statement on how working for Walmart is a worthy pursuit. Close with enthusiasm.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Career Goals
18.
Why are you looking for a new job?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is curious about what your circumstance might reveal about you as a potential employee. It's okay to be honest, but take care not to over share. Quitting your job before lining up another speaks to your poor planning skills. Being laid off or let go can present as a red flag if not presented in the appropriate context. If it's an employees' job market and you are testing the field, they'll undoubtably question your level of commitment to your current employer. Best to primarily focus on your wish list vs. career stagnation. Focus on the positives with a mindset for career growth. Steer away from speaking about your current or previous employers negatively. Be sincere, but frame your answer with a positive growth mindset.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Career Goals
19.
Looking at your resume, I see multiple gaps between employments. What were you doing during those gaps?
What You Need to Know
There are many valid reasons for employment gaps. It's typically best to be transparent about the reasons. Examine the life events that played a role. However, best to avoid examples where you voluntarily quit your job without lining up another one. This will only serve to suggest you are a poor planner with a limited scope of the big-picture.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Communication
20.
Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
What You Need to Know
The trick to this question is in how you answer it. Regardless of how difficult this question is to quantify with a number, avoid giving yourself a 10. Nobody is perfect, and suggesting you have a perfect ten score with communication might speak against your self-awareness. Coming across as overly confident or someone who has no room for feedback and improvement could betray your narrative. Instead, focus your answer on the big-picture nature of this question. Communication is essential to the stable operations of any organization. You want to carefully frame your answer in a way that showcases the strength of your communication skills. Share relevant anecdotes as a testament to your skills.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Communication
21.
Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss.
What You Need to Know
This assesses how well you work with those in positions of authority, your communication skill level, and your emotional maturity. Think of a conflict or disagreement you had with your boss where you conducted yourself professionally, showcasing your desire to work together for the greater benefit of the team. Highlight your creative problem-solving skills, especially where you saw an opportunity others may have missed.
Regardless of your relationship with your employer, there may be times where you don't see eye to eye. Respond thoughtfully to this question and with a respectful tone. Objectify the situation, not the individual you respectfully expressed a difference of opinion. Avoid examples which end unamicably. There's nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion with your superiors when you're both working towards the same goals as a team. Use examples where you disagreed on an approach to solving a problem and a meeting of the minds was reached. Respecting the chain of command and respectfully working towards a shared vision is the goal here.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Communication
22.
How well do you handle customer complaints?
What You Need to Know
Assure the interviewer you're comfortable handling customers at their best and at their worst! 'The customer is always right' translates to 'the customer is alway empathized with and heard'. Taking this approach, go into detail about how you approach customer service. Share some examples of situations where you effectively handled the customer complaint, showcasing your mediation and communication skills.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
EQ
23.
How would you deal with an angry customer while you were busy completing tasks?
What You Need to Know
No task is more important than the customer unless it is an issue of safety. You need to be ready to stop any task that you're currently working on to deliver above and beyond customer service at any moment. This is part of working in a sometimes stressful, high paced environment. Regardless of how frustrating it is to have the task you're working on being constantly interrupted, this isn't the customer's fault, it is just part of the job.
Use this opportunity to demonstrate your multitasking skills and your customer service skills in a way that advertises your merits. Staying calm, actively listening, exhibiting enthusiasm and appreciation for the customer's loyalty reflects an ability to work well under pressure and high emotional intelligence. You want to show you are positive, customer oriented, and self guided in your work.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
24.
When have you used an inventive method to stretch company resources beyond the normal level?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to know about a time when you recognized a kaizen opportunity to protect the company's resources or assets. Describe why this initiative was impactful and how you reached the positive outcome. This has to potential to display your ability to improve workflow and implement systems while protecting the company's assets. It also advertises your awareness of the bigger picture.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
25.
Do you have any questions for me?
What You Need to Know
You're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you. This question will help them not only evaluate your sincere interest in working for them but also inform them whether you're the type of employee to ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more enhanced your communications skills will seem, and the more likely you are to be self-guided and successful at your job.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
26.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned from a mistake you made?
What You Need to Know
Relay a challenging experience you overcame and what you learned from it. Avoid examples of not protecting the company's assets, or where you compromized the safety of the workplace.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
27.
What business growth efforts have you noticed Wal-Mart partaking in as of late?
What You Need to Know
This question is designed to see how much you know about Wal-Mart, and how much research you put into their company before coming in for your interview. Do your homework before the interview. Anything you can do to spark conversation along these lines will serve to make you a more memorable candidate.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
28.
Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for customer service.
What You Need to Know
Detail a difficult situation where you recognized an opportunity to meet a customer's needs. Lay out the rationale behind your course of action, what distinguishes this example from your regular routine, and how you exceeded their expectations. Focus on the impact of your resolution and how it translates to their core values.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
29.
Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality to complete a job?
What You Need to Know
This question is designed to offer insights into your work style, your communication style, and the respect you hold for the chain of command. If you were ever in a position where quality of work performed had to be sacrificed to meet a deadline, you'll need to present the backstory. You want to advertise yourself as someone whose work habits are striving to go above and beyond and exhibiting a can-do attitude.
They want to know if you are one to cut corners, performing at the bare minimum, while watching the clock just so you can clock out on time. Or are you the type to take on additional tasks to support your team and your leadership? On occasions where quality was sacrificed, was this according to clearly communicated instructions from your superiors? If so, reveal the ways in which your hard work benefitted you and the team. Try to turn this into a positive.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
30.
What do you know about working in retail?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer will gauge your response for indicators of your experience level, and your grasp of the big picture for the customer experience. They are also interested in your motivators to continue to pursue a career in a retail environment. List off the areas where you are uniquely qualified to handle the work involved. We enjoy doing what we're good at, and your attitude should reflect this. Advertise your merits.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Experience
31.
Why do you feel you're more qualified than the other applicants?
What You Need to Know
Your resume got you this far. Now they are giving you an opportunity to go deeper and market yourself as a can-do clutch-player. Bragging about yourself in an interview can be tough to do, but this is your time to shine! Share those characteristics and career accomplishments which make you a standout candidate. Share your accomplishments. Reveal how well you cope with stressful situations. Think of a time you stepped outside your comfort zone and took on more responsibility. Improving upon a new skill is an excellent example of a growth opportunity and displays you set higher expectations for yourself than others might. This demonstrates you as an overachiever.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Leadership
32.
Tell me about a time when you had to be a leader. How was the outcome?
What You Need to Know
If you have leadership experience, offer what type of leadership style you've adopted. If you have trouble thinking of moments where your leadership potential has shined, focus on the things you've done to help others. Mentoring or training your coworkers on new skills, taking the lead on a team project, working faster and smarter while setting the pace and motivating your team, or rising to the occasion to take on additional responsibility all exhibit leadership potential. Share your accomplishments in this regard with pride.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Leadership
33.
How do you motivate your fellow team members?
What You Need to Know
You don't have to be a manager or a team leader to motivate others. Offering a listening ear or providing words of encouragement can make a world of difference for some coworkers. Sometimes, just being a positive influence, boosting team morale, setting the pace while motivating others can suggest you are a clutch player and an indispensable asset. If you have worked in a leadership role, think of ways you helped set clear goals or mentored others towards cultivating new skills. Reflect on your experience and share how you have encouraged others to keep up the good work!
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Leadership
34.
Tell me about a time there was a serious conflict on your team. How did you resolve it?
What You Need to Know
Their assessing your professional personality as well as your interpersonal, mediation, and negotiation skills. You want to position yourself as adept and effective at delivering diplomacy towards a communal end goal. Your answer should reveal whether you have any issues with people in positions of authority versus striving to preserve the peace and exhibiting respect for your superiors. Analyze the situation. Distinguish when you need to take action.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Leadership
35.
Tell me about the last time you stepped up to work outside your comfort zone.
What You Need to Know
Demonstrating a can-do attitude equates to going outside of one's comfort zone. A readiness to venture beyond one's comfort zone exhibits adaptability and flexibility. The goal is to display the sphere of your comfort zone as consistently stepping outside of your comfort zone. This demonstrates the kind of dedication to learn, grow, and develop that hiring managers are usually looking for.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Teamwork
36.
How do you handle working in challenging team environments?
What You Need to Know
Share a recent team project that generated successful results but was an overall challenge. Provide the interviewer a short overview of the project, including the overall stakes and the final goal, and in what ways you went above and beyond. What were the challenges your group faced? Go into detail on how rewarding this collaborative experience was. Discuss how you rose to the occasion by coming up with alternate solutions whenever you met a roadblock. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Teamwork
37.
Why is it important to develop relationships with coworkers?
What You Need to Know
This question is meant to gauge the value you place on developing positive working relationships. Relaying you go out drinking with your coworkers every night could likely indicate that you may come into work hung over every morning. Your answer will also offer insights into your personality. If you aren't a social person, this question may be more challenging. It's fine to acknowledge this, so long as you express you find benefit in connecting with the other members of your team.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Teamwork
38.
Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.
What You Need to Know
Wal-Mart employs a massive range of people in all types of job titles. The interviewer wants to be assured that you can handle the wide variety of personalities you'll be faced. Emphasize how adept your communication skills are. Adapting your communication style to others can go a long way here. Also, exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence by exhibiting patience and an ability to not take things personally. Keep your answer simple and avoid overdramatizing any event. Speaking negatively of others will always look unfavorable towards you, indicating that you might in fact be the problem employee in this scenario. Focus on a time when your work style was different from another person, but perhaps you still had to complete a project together. Discuss, in a positive tone, how you made it work, despite personal differences!
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Teamwork
39.
When was the last time you contributed to a team effort and what was your role?
What You Need to Know
One thing to always remember about a job interview is that its a conversation. For most questions, the interviewer wants to see if you are capable of just holding a conversation with them. For those who thrive in a socially interactive team environment, the collaboration is the reward. Every day you decide what attitude you'll embrace. The only thing you have control over is your attitude. In a team environment, the right attitude can go a long way. Frequently, those striving to rise through the ranks are singularly focused on their own ambition and goals. There may be times this is unavoidable, which is why the purpose of this question is to assess how well you work and collaborate with others. Your focus should be on the team. If you are performing at your best, the competition will be worried about you, not the other way around.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022
Trust
40.
What would you do if a coworker asked you to help them steal?
What You Need to Know
They're seeking assurance you'll act according to the company's policy and reputation. Such matters should be handled swiftly in confidence, in accordance with safety and legal guidelines, without attracting the attention of non-managerial servants or customers. Display your integrity and discretion. Abide by all human resources best practices for such a situation. Ensure your conduct is professional, and wouldn't create any legal concerns or embarrassment for the company. Express how you'd react in such an awkward, or potentially harmful situation, assuring them such behavior goes against your core values.
Written by Kevin Downey on July 9th, 2022