Yes, I'm sure they do pay more than the places you listed, considering most of the reasonable ones are in "da hood".

But not all if you did the search.  And if they are the second bread winner, or this is a second job, it sure is reasonable.

I don't know where the WalMart's located, but I would guess that many of the 25,000 are applying because it will save them a 45 minute commute into the city for other jobs.

That may be worth the job in itself!  I can tell you that location makes a difference when it comes to pay.  I will accept a lower paying job in a better location just for the convenience.

I wouldthink you would slam the other employers for not paying as well as Wal-Mart. Not for Wal -mart paying too much.

Yeah, that's exactly what I did; slam Walmart for paying too much. You really have a gift for reading between the lines.

Say it takes 3-5 months just to find a decent job, add another 3-6 months for a better paying job,

I have been laid off twice, and fortunately, in both cases, I was on the low end of the time scale (4 months and 3 months).  But in both cases, I took a job for a lot less than I had been making.  The first time, I was a pay check to pay check person, and it was rough.  The second time, I had a next egg (and a good employer that gave me a very good severance package), so it was not hard.  But when you are looking at the money drain, you stop thinking increased salary and start thinking "what can I afford to take".

I can tell you that location makes a difference when it comes to pay.

EXACTLY. And, in Chicago at least, a lot of professionals live in the suburbs, work in the city. Their spouses also work, and two people commuting means one thing: latchkey kids. I would be interested to see a breakdown of these applicants. My guess is that a strong majority are spouses that can earn some extra money and yet take advantage of flexible scheduling to be home when the kids are home.

So who gets hurt when you deny the market place? The lesson here, is your Constituents.

This Wal-Mart is being built in the south side of Chicago (just outside city limits), which is the poor side of town, so it's understandable that they got so many applications. Building a Wal-Mart in places like this isn't going to hurt the communities and may indeed help them because of the jobs they provide and the low priced goods (mostly junk, but that's beside the point). The arguments AGAINST Wal-Mart are valid when they try to build in the north side where it would put many small businesses out of business and destroy communities in the process.

But when you are looking at the money drain, you stop thinking increased salary and start thinking "what can I afford to take".

Very wise thought. Years back during one period I had 500 contractors out across three continents, and interviewed well over 150,000 white collar candidates spanning 32 years as a HR Consultant and executive search expert. One commonality stands out, not much in the way of saving for the majority regardless of profession or level. That changes when annual earning are at or above 150k for an extended periods of time.

The average white collar person is off one month for every 10k earned, and that stat is good through VP level, and includes tech folks depending on their location and tech expertise.

This Wal-Mart is being built in the south side of Chicago (just outside city limits), which is the poor side of town, so it's understandable that they got so many applications.

Thanks for the updated information. Actually, he's right; a WalMart on the south side of Chicago will be a HUGE benefit to the community, although not a lot of northern suburbanites will patronize it. Not that that's a problem, as many of those communities shop in more upscale stores anyway.

I would be interested to see a breakdown of these applicants.

I doubt we will, as that is probably a company secret.  But it would be fascinating.

(By Publishing that info, Wal-Mart would be telling its competitors how to compete with them.)

This Wal-Mart is being built in the south side of Chicago (just outside city limits), which is the poor side of town, so it's understandable that they got so many applications. Building a Wal-Mart in places like this isn't going to hurt the communities and may indeed help them because of the jobs they provide and the low priced goods (mostly junk, but that's beside the point). The arguments AGAINST Wal-Mart are valid when they try to build in the north side where it would put many small businesses out of business and destroy communities in the process.

You missed the point, or did not read the article.  Wal Mart wanted to build in the same area, just inside the city limits.  So for whatever reason, Chicago shot them down, and the burbs are reaping the benefits.  I dont think any of the 25,000 care if it is 2 blocks farther away.

The average white collar person is off one month for every 10k earned, and that stat is good through VP level, and tech folks depending on their location and tech expertise.

I guess I really lucked out the last time (altho I could have weathered 8 months out that time), but it was pretty close for the first time I was laid off. (mid 40s, and 4 months).

although not a lot of northern suburbanites will patronize it. Not that that's a problem, as many of those communities shop in more upscale stores anyway.

Hell, if only the 25k how applied patronize it, they are still going to be doing pretty good!

The arguments AGAINST Wal-Mart are valid when they try to build in the north side where it would put many small businesses out of business and destroy communities in the process.

I categorically disagree. Every small, medium or large business is in business as result of our supply and demand free capitalistic system.

Not one of us deserves anything and everyone of us has to work at being dynamic, competitive, creative and fiscally wise so we're not put out of business. Any business man that unfortunately looses his business to the any size competitor moving in down the street, looses for a variety of reasons, mostly due to poor adaptability, creativity and a hidden entitlement mentality wrapped up in stubbornness regarding change, nothing is permanent except death. At that stage, he deserves to loose if he can't change.

I challenge you show me "factually" how Walmart destroy's communities? They employee hundreds at each store, provide a large tax base for the community, spend inordinate amounts supporting local fundraiser's and charities locally . The community were I reside has a wide range earners and we have a Walmart about 5 miles away. I've sat on civic committees in leadership and measured such impacts.

Give me some facts besides conjecture.

Hell, if only the 25k how applied patronize it, they are still going to be doing pretty good!

(I'm gonna get KILLED for this statement, but I know Chicago better'n some, so here goes)...

A decent percentage of those 25,000 applicants is likely to be turned away because of the fact that they now do a BACKGROUND CHECK! (perfect place for someone wanting to continue unemployment benefits to apply if they have a criminal history).

(I'm gonna get KILLED for this statement, but I know Chicago better'n some, so here goes)...

Why?  My ex-wife failed a polygraph (that should have clued me in long ago).  It happens to many.

Give me some facts besides conjecture.

Well, Wal-Mart may have built over there, but this article was about a store inside or outside the city limits in the Southside.

But you do raise an interesting issue.  If it would destroy the community in the Northside, then it woudl have destroyed the community in the Southside as well.  Unless the contention is that there is no community in the southside.  Even poor communities are communities.

A decent percentage of those 25,000 applicants is likely to be turned away because of the fact that they now do a BACKGROUND CHECK! (perfect place for someone wanting to continue unemployment benefits to apply if they have a criminal history).

You have some validity. But, you need to factor in a few added issues before concluding. Just because 25,000 candidates apply doesn't mean all will be interviewed. If a store needs 300-400 employees, when we consider qualifications, 2-5k applications were reviewed at most and the rest filed for future reference. When we consider Walmarts community history and the penchant of criminal mind to shy away from visibility, I believe you're referencing a small number questionable applicants.

But, you need to factor in a few added issues before concluding. Just because 25,000 candidates apply doesn't mean all will be interviewed. If a store needs 300-400 employees, when we consider qualifications, 2-5k applications were reviewed at most and the rest filed for future reference.

And thus the value of a good cover letter, even in these situations, helps.  Unfortunately, most of the applicants probably are not aware of them.

When we consider Walmarts community history and the penchant of criminal mind to shy away from visibility, I believe you're referencing a small number questionable applicants.

I don't, and I'll explain why. Chicago's south side is one of the most crime ridden areas in the country, with drugs and gangs almost ubiquitous. There are many within the community with a "welfare mentality", and, as welfare to work and unemployment requirements both stipulate that you need be actively looking for work, what better place to apply if you want to keep receiving aid than a place where you KNOW you'll be rejected? I am sure that more than enough applicants are qualified to form a very nice pool of potential applicants, but have no doubt that several thousand of those applications were turned in by individuals who have no desire whatsoever to get back into the workforce.

Well, Wal-Mart may have built over there, but this article was about a store inside or outside the city limits in the Southside.

I understand the ramifications surrounding location. But, my quest for seeing exactly when and where Walmart destroyed a community still stands. If and or when any small business closes their doors as a result of Walmart moving down the street, in almost all cases the city wins overall.

As I said Walmarts financial contribution from each store to city coffers across the nation is considerably large. I will agree, those that loose their business' will be temporarily harmed and those they employ will have to find other jobs. But, what's the real down side for them. They get another job in the community or leave for more a more fruitful community elsewhere. In either case, when we look at a million dollars or more and the community support from Walmart compared to the accumulation of taxes and limited support of those business' that might or do close as a result of Walmart moving in, the choice has to be made in favor of the community. Their not only bringing reasonably priced goods into an area that likely pays more to small business', small business makes volatile decisions on average and has a much high turnover. Not so in either case with Walmart or the likes and I could go on.

For the record, I've been in a Walmart once to see what their like and I could care less if we're talking about Walmart, Kmart or Home Depot. Simply logic followed by supply and demand prevails in my world.

I misunderstood your intent Gid... You're referencing the folks that don't want to work, and know that by applying at Walmart will be rejected for one reason or another, there by allowing them to maintain their unemployment or city/state/fed'l assistance.

In that case, I agree, and that would be applicable in any city where any large stores exist, not just Walmart.

I understand the ramifications surrounding location.

My comment was mostly aimed at Benuser, and I just followed up your comment on it.  I just thought that saying one community would be destroyed while another one would not be was a bit hypocritical.

I shop Wal-Mart rarely.  Not because I have anything against them morally, but because they pissed me off once.  So I avoid them if at all possible (and mostly it is possible - except for those stupid 15 popcorn tins my wife wanted to give away for Christmas!).

There are many within the community with a "welfare mentality", and, as welfare to work and unemployment requirements both stipulate that you need be actively looking for work, what better place to apply if you want to keep receiving aid than a place where you KNOW you'll be rejected?

AHA!  Yes, all those application I got so that the people could fulfill their Unemployment requirements.

Like Titan, I missed your original intent.  Good point.

Actually, 8 bucks an hour is not bad.

Oh, okay, I see your perspective.

I think eight bucks an hour isn't all that great.

Oh, okay, I see your perspective. I think eight bucks an hour isn't all that great.

Not for a professional.  But retail hires minimally skilled people.  So $8 is not bad for what is essentially "smile" and brainless work.