If you work at Walmart as a cashier, you will likely be asked to work several 8-hour shifts.
And in this article, we are going to discuss 10 great tips from Walmart cashiers that you can use to get through and even make your 8-hour shift go faster.
1. Wear Comfortable Shoes
The very first thing you should do to get through an 8-hour cashier shift is to opt for comfortable shoes!
When you are uncomfortable or have feet, leg, or back pain, the minutes on the clock can feel like hours.
So by preparing ahead of time with a good pair of shoes, you can actually make the shift feel faster. And you won’t be in pain!
Many Walmart employees recommend choosing a pair of Saucony, Dansko, or Brooks shoes. However, if you don’t want to spend the cash on a new pair, you can also pick up some Dr. Scholl’s work insoles to place in the shoes you already have.
2. Take All Your Breaks
Even if you are wearing comfortable shoes or insoles, you should still make sure to take all your breaks!
During an 8-hour cashier shift at Walmart, you will be allotted two 15-minute paid breaks and one 30-minute unpaid break.
And while your manager will likely enforce these breaks, in case they forget, you should remind them and actually leave your post during these times.
Taking breaks will help break up the shift, as well as give your body a rest from standing. It’s also a good time to grab a nutritious bite to eat and take a moment away from customers to reset.
3. Rest Your Legs
When you are taking your breaks, it’s vital that you remember to rest your legs. Standing for 8 hours straight is extremely hard on the body, so when you have the chance, sit down!
Whether that means picking a comfortable spot in the break room or going outside to sit on a bench and get some fresh air, your legs need to rest so that you stay healthy and comfortable throughout the shift.
For some people, walking is also a great way to reset, as standing in one spot may cause leg pain. Try walking around the outside of your Walmart store to stretch on your 15-minute break.
4. Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
Many employees don’t realize that one of the best ways to get through an 8-hour shift without feeling defeated is to stay energized.
And the best way to keep the mind and body in a good state is to eat well and stay hydrated. You should have a bottle of water at your cashier register and when you do get a chance to have a snack, opt for something nutritious instead of junk food.
Another common mistake people make when working long shifts is drinking too much caffeine. While it may feel like it’s keeping you going, coffee, soda, and energy drinks actually lead to extreme crashes after a few hours.
Your energy levels will be far more consistent if you drink water, Gatorade, or anything else hydrating with electrolytes throughout the shift.
5. Keep Busy
The busier you are, the faster your shift will feel! Some employees report that working as a cashier at Walmart is boring, which makes the day feel as though it will last forever.
So you should absolutely try your best to keep your mind and body busy.
On days when there is a long line, move quickly and efficiently and focus on performing your job well with every customer.
If you don’t have too many customers in your line, you can organize and clean your register and till area.
During especially slow times, you can also chat with your coworkers at other registers to keep your mind occupied.
6. Interact With Customers
Number 6 on our list is one of the most useful tips we have to offer: Interact with your customers!
Not only will conversing with customers make your manager happy with your work ethic and dedication to the job, it will also make your shift more enjoyable. And therefore, time will pass more quickly!
A great way to interact with customers is to ask them about their day as you ring up their purchases.
You can also ensure they found everything they needed and if they had a good experience shopping at Walmart today.
Walmart prides itself on encouraging its staff to be themselves at work! But while you are conversing with customers and making small talk, just make sure you keep it professional.
7. Let the Bad Interactions Go
There’s no doubt about it; some customer interactions will not go as well as others.
Whether another person is simply in a bad mood or says something rude, it can really affect your work day.
Therefore, a good way to get through your 8-hour shift, even if things don’t go as well as they could have, is to let the bad stuff go.
So if a coworker, manager, or customer rubs you the wrong way, try your best not to hold onto it. If you can’t shrug it off, then you will be in a bad mood. And that can make the shift feel even longer!
8. Mentally Split Your Shift
Another helpful tip Walmart employees recommend is to mentally split your shift into sections.
For an 8-hour shift, you can either pretend it’s two 4-hour shifts, or even four 2-hour shifts.
When you get to the end of each time frame, reward yourself with a snack, small break, or even just a smile, knowing you’ve completed a portion of the shift.
While technically, you are still working the same amount of hours, sectioning it off in the mind can really help the time feel faster.
9. Ask for Cross-Training
This tip isn’t possible for all employees. But if you really can’t stand working an 8-hour shift on the register, you should talk to your manager about cross-training.
By having the ability to perform several front-end jobs at Walmart, your manager may be able to use you in different departments during your shift.
For example, if you are trained in food or guest services, you could be asked to pop over to help out if it’s a slow day on the registers.
Once again, this may not work out for every shift. But if it does, then your cashier’s shift will certainly feel a whole lot faster!
10. Have a Good Attitude
Finally, tip number 10 to get through an 8-hour shift as a cashier at Walmart is to simply have a good attitude.
You will be surprised how much your mindset can change your experience when working.
When you arrive at your shift, set your mind to your work. You should try to be the best cashier you can be with every customer. As well as smile, interact, and be present while on shift.
Although it may seem too good to be true, being excited to be at work will get you through the shift in no time!