So you‘re thinking about joining the team at everyone‘s favorite Swedish furniture retailer? You‘re not alone. With its iconic brand, attractive benefits, and opportunities for long-term career growth, IKEA has become one of the most sought-after employers in the retail industry.
However, with over 1.2 million job applications received globally each year for just 30,000 to 40,000 open positions, competition for IKEA jobs is fierce. To stand out from the crowd and land your dream role, you‘ll need to bring your A-game at every stage of the company‘s rigorous recruitment process.
As a retail industry expert and former IKEA hiring manager, I‘ve seen firsthand what it takes to succeed in this unique environment. In this ultimate insider‘s guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to conquer the IKEA hiring process, from filling out your initial application to nailing your final interviews and beyond.
We‘ll cover essential topics like:
- What IKEA recruiters really look for in top candidates
- The key skills and values needed to thrive in IKEA‘s culture
- Insider tips for each stage of the recruitment process
- Expert insights on IKEA‘s benefits, career paths, and employee experience
- Potential challenges and pitfalls to watch out for as an IKEA employee
Whether you‘re an experienced retail professional looking for your next career move or a first-time job seeker with a passion for affordable Scandinavian design, this guide will give you the inside scoop on how to launch your IKEA career the right way. Let‘s dive in!
IKEA at a Glance
Before we get into the details of the hiring process, let‘s set the stage with some key facts and figures about IKEA‘s business and workforce:
- 460+ stores in 62 countries worldwide
- 225,000+ total employees (or "co-workers" in IKEA lingo)
- $45 billion+ in annual retail sales
- 50/50 gender balance across all leadership levels
- Named to Forbes‘ Best Employers for Diversity list in 2020
- Ranked #11 on Glassdoor‘s Best Places to Work list in 2021
As you can see, IKEA is a huge global company with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, and progressive values. It‘s also a highly desirable employer, with employee satisfaction ratings consistently above industry averages.
However, all of this means that IKEA can afford to be extremely selective in its hiring process. Out of the millions of applications submitted each year, only a small fraction of top candidates ultimately receive job offers.
So what exactly is IKEA looking for as it evaluates this huge volume of eager applicants? Let‘s take a closer look at the company‘s ideal candidate profile.
Inside the Mind of an IKEA Recruiter
Having sat on the other side of the interview table at IKEA for many years, I can tell you that hiring managers are looking for a very specific type of person to join their teams.
First and foremost, IKEA values fit with its unique company culture above all else. IKEA has a set of eight core values that guide every aspect of how the business operates:
- Togetherness
- Caring for people and planet
- Cost-consciousness
- Simplicity
- Renew and improve
- Different with a meaning
- Give and take responsibility
- Lead by example
Successful IKEA job seekers must demonstrate an authentic alignment with and excitement for these values, not just pay them lip service.
"We‘re not just looking for someone who can do the job, but someone who truly embraces the IKEA way," says Lars Petersson, an IKEA store manager in Sweden. "Our values are more than just words on a poster. They‘re a way of life."
Recruiters will be observing your words and behaviors closely throughout the hiring process for signs that you‘ll be a strong culture fit. Do you collaborate well with others? Are you able to think creatively to solve problems? Can you maintain a positive, customer-focused attitude even in stressful situations?
In addition to culture fit, IKEA also prioritizes candidates with:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Flexibility and openness to change
- Process orientation and attention to detail
- A passion for home furnishing and design
- Desire to grow and develop with the company over time
Retailers in general tend to look for similar qualities in front-line employees. But IKEA takes it to another level with its intense focus on culture and values.
"Working at IKEA isn‘t just a job, it‘s being part of a community," says Maria Hernandez, an IKEA food service team leader in Spain. "We genuinely care about each other as people, not just colleagues."
Breaking Down the IKEA Recruitment Process
Alright, now that you have a sense of what IKEA is looking for in new hires, let‘s walk through the actual nuts and bolts of the application and hiring process.
While exact procedures may vary slightly based on location and position, most IKEA job seekers can expect to go through the following five steps:
1. Online Application
The journey begins at IKEA‘s official careers site, where you‘ll search for open roles that match your skills and experience. Be sure to read each job description carefully and tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your most relevant qualifications.
When explaining your interest in IKEA, go beyond generic platitudes to demonstrate a genuine passion for the company‘s products, values and culture. Share specific examples of how IKEA‘s brand has impacted your life.
"We want to see candidates who have done their homework on who we are and what we stand for," advises Sarah Thompson, a recruitment specialist at IKEA UK. "The best applications make it clear why IKEA is the right fit, not just any retail job."
2. Phone Screening
Selected candidates will be invited for a 15-30 minute phone interview with an IKEA recruiter. This is your chance to expand on your application and showcase your personality, communication skills and enthusiasm for the role.
Be prepared to discuss your work history and share specific anecdotes that highlight your relevant experience and strengths. You may also be asked situational questions about how you‘d handle common retail scenarios like frustrated customers or malfunctioning technology.
To get ready, review the job description and practice your answers to typical interview questions out loud until they feel natural. Research IKEA‘s values and culture so you can share how your own approach aligns. And be sure to prepare a few thoughtful questions of your own for the recruiter.
3. In-Person/Video Interviews
If you ace the phone screening, next up is one or more in-person interviews with the hiring manager, and potentially other members of the store leadership team. Expect highly structured interviews with behavioral and competency-based questions.
Some examples of questions IKEA candidates frequently report being asked include:
- Why IKEA? What makes our brand appealing to you?
- How would you define great customer service?
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague.
- How do you handle stress and competing priorities?
- Where do you see your IKEA career in 5 years?
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give concise yet thorough answers with specific examples from your past. Quantify your achievements with hard numbers wherever you can.
Remember, the interviewers aren‘t just assessing your technical skills, but also how well you embody IKEA‘s leadership traits like collaboration, creativity, and customer focus. Let your personality shine through with enthusiasm, positive energy, and a sense of humor.
4. Testing & Background Check
The final stage for most IKEA hires is a background check and any relevant pre-employment testing. Exact components will depend on the role, but may include:
- Criminal history check
- Employment verification
- Drug screening
- Personality or cognitive ability assessments
- Job-specific skills tests (e.g. cash handling)
This is largely an administrative step as long as there are no red flags in your history. The process typically takes 5-10 business days, after which you‘ll hopefully receive an exciting call with a job offer!
All in all, the average IKEA hiring process lasts 3-4 weeks from application to offer, although this can vary considerably for high-volume or specialized roles. For a retail job, this is a relatively lengthy and in-depth recruitment process, which speaks to IKEA‘s commitment to finding the right long-term fit.
IKEA Careers & Employee Experience
Okay, so you‘ve run the interview gauntlet and landed a shiny new job at IKEA. What can you expect in terms of day-to-day work, compensation, benefits and long-term career prospects?
As a massive global retailer, IKEA offers employment opportunities across a wide range of business functions including:
- Store Sales & Customer Service
- Logistics & Warehouse Operations
- Food Service & Restaurant
- Interior Design & Visual Merchandising
- Finance & Accounting
- Human Resources
- Marketing & Communications
- Information Technology
- Sustainability & Social Responsibility
However, the vast majority of IKEA co-workers are based in retail stores, where starting pay ranges from $11 to $20 per hour depending on location and role. All full-time employees are entitled to a robust benefits package including:
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Employee discounts on IKEA products
- Subsidized meals in IKEA cafeterias
- Extensive training and development programs
- Parental leave for both moms and dads
- Opportunities for international assignments
IKEA also takes pride in promoting from within. Over 50% of store management positions are filled internally each year. And thanks to the company‘s global footprint, strong performers often have the chance to transfer to new roles in different cities or even countries.
"I joined IKEA as a part-time cashier during university, and never expected it to become my career," shares Lukas Schmidt, a store manager in Germany. "But I kept raising my hand for new opportunities, and 10 years later I‘ve worked in 5 different roles across 3 countries. The growth possibilities are incredible if you‘re willing to work for it."
However, a job at IKEA is not without its challenges. Retail work can be physically and mentally demanding, with long shifts spent on your feet dealing with the public. IKEA employees need to be flexible, with most co-workers rotating between day, night and weekend hours.
The company‘s strong emphasis on rules and processes can also feel stifling to those who prefer a more entrepreneurial environment. And with such a large global workforce, it can be easy for individuals to feel like just another cog in the machine.
"If you‘re looking for a fast-paced, highly structured work environment, IKEA is a great fit," says Catherine Liu, a former IKEA HR manager. "But it‘s not for everyone. You need to be ready to adapt to changing priorities, follow directions, and be a team player above all else."
Key Takeaways for IKEA Job Seekers
Alright, future IKEA co-workers, let‘s review the key points you‘ll need to succeed in the company‘s competitive hiring process:
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Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.
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Demonstrate authentic alignment with IKEA‘s values and culture in your CV, cover letter and interviews.
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Prepare specific examples of how you‘ve excelled in past roles and situations, and practice articulating them concisely using the STAR method.
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Showcase strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, customer-focused mindset at every stage of the recruitment process.
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Do your homework on IKEA‘s business, brand and culture so you can speak about it fluently and enthusiastically.
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Be yourself and let your personality shine through! IKEA wants to hire unique individuals, not cookie-cutter retail drones.
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Be patient, as the IKEA hiring process is quite thorough and can take several weeks from start to finish. Use this time to reflect on how your strengths align with the role.
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Once hired, take advantage of IKEA‘s many training and development programs to gain skills, build your network and work towards the next step in your career.
Landing a job at IKEA isn‘t easy, but if you‘re willing to put in the time and effort to master the recruitment process, the rewards of joining this global retail leader are well worth it.
From competitive pay and benefits to unparalleled opportunities for long-term career growth, IKEA has earned its reputation as an employer of choice in the industry. But more than that, it offers a chance to be part of something bigger – a values-driven company with a mission to create a better everyday life for people around the world.
So what are you waiting for? Spruce up that CV, practice your interviewing skills, and get ready to join the IKEA family. Who knows – a few years from now, you could be the one traveling the world and bringing affordable Scandinavian design to the masses. Best of luck!
