4 Reasons Why I'd Work for Wal-Mart Again

Many people think that Wal-mart is just a faceless giant, but I know better. I worked for nearly a year at America's largest retailer and I can say for certain that there's many kind faces behind your local store. Consistently bad press however had lead the public to believe that Wal-mart isn't a great company to work for. However, as a former employee who's gone on to work for some of "Fortune's Best", I can list more than one reason why I disagree.

1) The Pay

Everyone complains about Wal-mart's rate of pay, but Wal-mart was the first company to actually pay me a decent rate. Every other employer I had worked for previously would pay me minimum wage, or as close as they could get to it. During the nine month period I was there Wal-mart also gave me three wage increases. Unlike other companies I've worked for who never paid me a 90-day sign-on bonus, or offered me remuneration for phone calls I made for the company on my personal cellphone.

2) The Benefits

My store always had something for the Associates going on. Atleast once every three months we'd have an Associate Bar-b-que. Wal-mart has also been the only employer I worked for that gave it's Associates an hour long lunch. Many other employers I've worked for were critical about you taking a break, never mind a lunch in an often overly-understaffed environment.

The company itself also had great benefits, such as a stock program, employee discount, and other programs. A lot of my co-workers were continuing their education, or helping to put their kids through school.

3) The Company

Wal-mart has a simple spirit with a focus on it's customers and associates. They constantly change their policies in order to do what's right. These corrections are often not duplicated amongst other stores of similar caliber in the industry. I've worked for more than one employer who didn't care that I was "working on a break." or the my lunch time had been interrupted by work-related issues. Wal-mart however made it one of their top priorities amongst their Managers and Employees that these situations were not to occur. Something that was often "skipped over" by other companies I was employed at.

4) The Associates

I've never worked for an employer before where everyone was so friendly. Every day when I'd come into work I'd be greeted by other associates who didn't know me, but were genuinely happy that I was there to help out.

The variety of associates was also great because there were people from all walks of life. It allowed me to met many people and make lasting friendships with quiet a few. I haven't worked for the company in over 2 yrs, but every time I come to shop there's always someone asking me "How ya been?" or something similar. In a store the size of a basketball stadium, I know that there's always someone there to help it feel like home.