- wlman
Assembling the team for WalMart
| Business |
By LeRae Haynes
A group of applicants for the new WalMart store gathered yesterday at the Pioneer Complex to participate in what was the fourth stage of the interview process. WalMart is the first in western Canada to use the process, which began with 600 online applicants. The next step was a personality assessment, followed by a phone interview and then by group interviews for a narrowed-down list of 250 applicants.
The group interview was organized and hosted by Colin Martin and Lisa McMillan from the WalMart Recruitment department in Toronto, Williams Lake store Manager John Donnelly, and a team of WalMart associates from around BC with specialties in every department.
(Photo: The Williams Lake WalMart Mangagement Team are hosting group interviews for people who have applied to work at the store. Photo credit: Ryan Brink.)
The group interview was lively, interactive and fast-paced and included an ice-breaking exercise, a ‘speed interview’ station, a presentation about the career opportunities and benefits for store associates and role-playing to see how applicants problem-solve and think on their feet.
Some of the overall benefits presented were the environmentally friendly policies at WalMart, the fact that the stores paid $13.8 billion to more than 6,800 Canadian suppliers and that there are special employee rates for flights, rentals and hotels, as well as marketing, community and associate scholarship opportunities. There are profit sharing benefits, retirement benefits, stock options, employee discounts and medical and dental plans.
It was announced that the store will open the end of November, with convenient shopping hours that may extend to 24 hours. It was also stated that the estimated sales in Williams Lake for the first year is $42 million.
Unique to any WalMart in North America, the store in Williams Lake has a ‘Pioneer Log’ touch in the beautiful exterior entrance.
During the ice-breaking exercise the applicants gave a range of reasons why they wanted to work at the store, including steady employment, a career change, a great benefit package, a part time job that fits their life and opportunities for advancement.
John Donnelly, General Manager for the Williams Lake WalMart told the group about his rise through the ranks, describing through first-hand experience the career opportunities and advancement that WalMart has to offer.
He said that one of the things that WalMart does really well is adapt. "We take requests from customers and pay attention to what they need," he continued. "Our commitment we make is to six things. First, this is the place to buy fresh produce, meat, baked goods and seafood and save lots of money. Second, this is the place to buy electronics. Third, we will have seasonal dominance and have what you need early; fourth, we will have the fashions you want at the prices you need. Fifth, this is the place to go for furniture, and sixth, our store will be clean and our aisles accessible."
Community support is another important part of WalMart, and John stated that last year in Canada $14 million was raised to help groups and organizations. "Our local store associates decide where the money goes, and one of things we always do is ‘adopt a school’ and help with things like computers, playground equipment---whatever they need most."
John said that he and his family have waited four years for WalMart to open in Williams Lake, and that they enjoy the area and love the community.
He talked about healthy competition in the business community, adding that WalMart is no threat to smaller businesses in Williams Lake. "We bring traffic to town and help keep the spending local." he explained.
The theme of customer service was mentioned throughout the afternoon, from the ‘WalMart cheer’ to each of the three group activities and throughout the various presentations. "Our customers have always, and will always, be number one---that’s what we do," John said. "This store is for the community."
There are still positions available, click HERE to visit the Walmart hiring center online.
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