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Employer Spotlight Series Abdullah Moves Up Fast at Walmart

Meet Abdullah!

Abdullah doubted that he would get the chance to work for a company like Walmart and even after his first interview, he continued with his job search. Abdullah was excited when he received an offer from Walmart Canada and was determined to deliver his best.

“I’ve spent my first two years at Walmart learning everything there is to know about the retail industry,” Abdullah says, “from Fresh Foods to Receiving processes. I’m currently applying this knowledge in my role as an Overnight Support Manager. I’m responsible for leading a team of associates to ensure a high level of customer service while meeting production targets.”

How Did InterviewME Help Abdullah Get Hired?

After high school, like many young people, Abdullah took a gap year as a mental break. But he soon found out that he had too much free time on his hands and decided to look for work. It wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped, though. After receiving many rejections and getting ghosted by employers, he was very close to giving up. Luckily, his dad came across an ad for an InterviewME hiring event, which he sent to Abdullah. It was the first step toward a promising future.

Abdullah had the opportunity to be interviewed by numerous companies at the hiring event. Unsure of where to start, he was grateful for the supportive InterviewME team from MyStartr.

“They were very helpful,” he recalls. “They conducted a few mock interviews and provided very insightful tips — which I remember to this day — so I could ace my interview. I was asked where I wanted to take my first interview, and I just knew I had to start with none other than the big-box retailer itself, Walmart.”

Abdullah says the InterviewME staff helped him get mentally prepared for that important meeting: “I felt a surge of confidence streaming through my body.” Whether he got the job offer or not, he knew that getting constructive feedback would help him in his next interview. Luckily, one interview was all he needed, and he landed the job!

“When I told the people who had helped me prepare for this interview,” he says, “they were genuinely happy and congratulated me.”

How Walmart Is Helping Abdullah Grow

After being welcomed with open arms, Abdullah gained many skills – from time management to communication – and learned how to apply them to his role. In just 10 months, he was promoted from Frozen Dairy Associate to Department Manager.

“At just 18 years of age, I was the youngest manager in my workplace,” Abdullah says. “I felt accomplished, but I knew I wanted to do even more.”

After 11 successful months as Department Manager and with support from his managers, he decided to apply for the position of Overnight Support Manager. He earned the promotion and continues to grow, guided by the Individual Development Plan that Walmart’s People team provides to help him keep moving ahead.

A Thumbs-Up from Management

Alisha Yahkoob, the Store Manager, has played a significant role in Abdullah’s success and has nothing but positive words to share about him. Seeing his potential from day one, she has supported his growth and sponsored him for Walmart’s 10 and 10 talent development program. This program is put in place to provide the tools and development to those associates that have exhibited interest in becoming an Assistant Store Manager one day. Her support is a testament to how managers at Walmart truly care for their associates.

“Abdullah has always been eager to learn,” says Alisha, “bringing a fresh perspective and different ways of thinking to the business.”

Why Walmart?

“Every day is a new day with lots of learning opportunities, which is something I love about Walmart,” says Abdullah. “From the beginning, I’ve had my eyes set on becoming a Store Manager. With retail becoming more tech-powered, I am ready to help Walmart take the digital steps needed to be the first stop for Canada’s time-sensitive and financially stretched busy families.”

Abdullah credits InterviewME with helping make the critical first steps in his career journey:

“It’s a great program that helped me better my future and take advantage of the potential I hold, boosting my confidence in all aspects of life. My success is thanks to InterviewME, and I am forever grateful to this amazing team!”

Some Key Benefits of Working at Walmart

  • Walmart offers associates an Individual Development Plan (IDP) Program, which you can use to track your progress in your role. Many use this planning tool as the first step in building a long-term career with the company.
  • At Walmart, your well-being matters. Through an internal portal for health and well-being, you can easily access resources and the personalized, comprehensive treatment options of the company’s EQ Care program.
  • Your long-term growth is a priority at Walmart, where you can take advantage of a tuition reimbursement program, customized training and education for associates.
  • Walmart associates receive the perks of additional savings through discount reward cards and double discount days.
  • After working a year with the company, associates are eligible to receive bonus entitlements (profit sharing) and deferred profit-sharing plans.
  • Interested associates are eligible to participate in stock purchase plans.
  • Walmart offers a flexible hours and guaranteed hours program to support those associates that have other obligations outside of work.

Credits:

Walmart Canada, Fox59, The New Yorker, Work In Canada (Facebook), Lippincott