Below is a list of our IKEA interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 15 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, youll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
IKEA has a strong brand and a unique reputation. Their approach is very customer-centric, casual, no-nonsense, and very friendly. Anyone they hire has to fit a particular mold. They have to be approachable, knowledgeable, and passionate about their products. They also need to go the distance when making the customer experience as accommodating as possible. IKEA lets customers pick out items by hand to take home, have delivered, or have put together for them, and they have a very easy return policy. So, they expect their employees to happily accommodate their customer’s every need through service and product knowledge. In other words, the person they hire to make this happen should enjoy working with them and feel at home while doing it. Additionally, they offer very generous benefits and competitive pay. However, they expect a certain degree of flexibility from their employees, especially concerning their availability and work schedules. Their staff may not have a consistent schedule or consistent days. They’ll also be expected to wear their uniform when on the job. However, IKEAs uniform is far more casual than most other retailers. They also emphasize building a community and a sense of togetherness. They foster a collaborative and supportive environment, where their employees often attest to regarding each other as family. When their employees feel at home, their customers feel at home, too.
Want to nail your IKEA job interview and get hired? You’ll need to impress hiring managers with your knowledge of the company, relevant skills, and fit for the role
This comprehensive guide will help you prepare for your IKEA interview. We’ve compiled 20 of the most common IKEA interview questions along with proven tips and sample answers to ace each one.
Whether you’re interviewing for a retail sales associate, customer service, warehouse managerial or corporate role reviewing these IKEA interview question responses will help you stand out. Let’s get started!
Getting to Know You
IKEA interviews often kick off with a few questions aimed at getting better acquainted, Here’s what to expect
1. Tell me about yourself.
This open-ended question allows you to shape the narrative about your background. Keep your answer concise and focused on highlights relevant to the job. Provide a quick overview of your work experience and skills. You can mention education and interests briefly. Remember to keep it short and sweet.
2. Why do you want to work for IKEA?
Hiring managers want to gauge your genuine interest and motivation for wanting to join IKEA. Mention your passion for the company’s values, quality products, and customer experience. Share why the work environment and culture appeals to you. Convey enthusiasm and highlight how your strengths align with IKEA’s needs.
3. Why should we hire you?
This question gives you a prime opportunity to sell yourself. Summarize your top qualifications that make you an exceptional fit for this role. Focus on strengths, skills, and achievements that directly match the position’s requirements. Convince the interviewer you’re the clear choice to help IKEA succeed.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
IKEA seeks candidates looking for growth and development. Convey you see yourself advancing within the company. Mention interest in pursuing management or gaining expertise in another area like logistics or merchandising. Your response shows you’re in it for the long haul.
Demonstrating Key Soft Skills
In addition to qualifications, IKEA wants to confirm you have the soft skills and traits needed to thrive on the job. Be ready for these questions:
5. How would you deal with an upset customer?
IKEA wants customer-focused team players. Respond that you’d listen calmly and apologize for their frustration. Provide options or solutions to resolve the issue. Mention you’d notify a supervisor if needed. Emphasize patience and keeping an upbeat attitude.
6. Tell me about a time you provided great customer service.
Recount a story highlighting your customer service skills. Set the scene briefly, then focus on your actions. Explain how you went above-and-beyond expectations to satisfy the customer. Share positive feedback or appreciation you received. Stay positive even if the scenario involved a difficult customer.
7. Why is customer service important to you?
This question looks for passion for putting customers first. Share why you find meaning in helping people have a positive experience. Explain how you create loyal, delighted customers who keep coming back through thoughtful service. Give an example of how your service made an impact.
8. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
Retail can be high-pressure. Share how you stay calm under stress by taking a moment to assess situations before reacting. Describe focusing on solutions rather than emotions. Explain how you manage frustrations while maintaining your cool. Outline stress management strategies that help you think clearly and act professionally no matter what.
9. Tell me about a time you faced a conflict at work. How did you handle it?
IKEA wants level-headed team players who manage conflicts constructively. Briefly summarize the conflict situation. Explain how you initiated an open, respectful dialogue to understand all perspectives. Share how you searched for solutions that served everyone’s interests to resolve tensions. Position yourself as a mature communicator and problem-solver.
Proving You’ll Champion the Brand
IKEA seeks brand ambassadors. Be ready for questions assessing your company and product knowledge:
10. What can you tell me about IKEA?
This tests your brand familiarity. Share facts that impress, such as IKEA being founded in Sweden in 1943, having over 400 stores worldwide, being committed to sustainability, and offering a unique shopping experience combining showrooms, play areas, and restaurants. Convey genuine admiration for the globally-beloved brand.
11. What do you know about IKEA’s company values and culture?
Highlight values like togetherness, cost-consciousness, and simplicity that shape IKEA’s culture. Mention the emphasis on teamwork, diversity, work-life balance, and sustainability. Share why IKEA’s culture and values excite you. The more you can authentically align yourself with the brand identity, the better.
12. Why do you think IKEA is so popular worldwide?
This reveals your insights into IKEA’s winning strategy. Share thoughts on how IKEA delivers value through affordable, functional designs and a fun, interactive shopping experience. Note how they’ve built loyal communities globally by understanding cultural needs. Conveying your grasp of why the brand resonates shows strategic thinking.
13. How would you describe IKEA’s brand persona?
IKEA wants people who understand the essence of their brand identity. Respond highlighting adjectives like playful, convenient, affordable, and thoughtful. Share how their Swedish roots influence their simple, trendy aesthetic. Outline how these brand personality attributes attract and resonate with target shoppers.
Demonstrating Role-Related Knowledge
Interviewers will assess your qualifications specific to the role with targeted questions like these:
14. What do you think this job demands?
For customer-facing roles, highlight skills like patience, friendliness, attention to detail, and problem-solving. For warehouse roles, mention diligence, physical stamina, organization, and teamwork. Show you grasp the core competencies vital to excel in the position.
15. What retail/customer service experience do you have?
Spotlight skills gained from past retail or service jobs that translate directly, like providing knowledgeable advice, resolving issues, creating welcoming experiences, driving loyalty, and more. Quantify successes like sales or satisfaction increases.
16. How do you stay energized and focused during a long shift?
Share tactics that help you maintain high quality performance throughout extended time on your feet like eating well, taking small breaks, and staying hydrated. Demonstrate your dedication to consistent service even when fatigue sets in.
17. This job requires lifting heavy merchandise and products. How comfortable are you with this physical type of work?
Emphasize your ability to lift up to 50 lbs safely and your physical stamina. Provide examples of past warehouse or stocking experience requiring muscular endurance. Express your satisfaction with active, hands-on work.
18. What do you know about IKEA’s products and inventory?
For sales roles, highlight your familiarity with popular collections like BINAR, PAX, BILLY, and POÄNG. For warehouse roles, mention experience with large-scale inventory management and volume processing. Showcase your product/operations knowledge.
Sealing the Deal
Close your IKEA interview on a high note with smart questions and a positive attitude:
19. Do you have any questions for me?
Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions focused on learning more about the job, company, culture, training, etc. Avoid questions about salary, benefits, or time off.
20. Why should we hire you over other candidates?
End with a compelling summary of why your skills, experience, and passions make you the top choice for this role at IKEA. Convey genuine enthusiasm and commitment to the company. Make your answer personal and convincing.
With preparation and practice, you can tackle IKEA’s interview confidently. Use these questions and winning sample responses to impress hiring managers and launch your IKEA career!
IKEA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS! (How to Pass an Ikea Job Interview)
What is the interview process like at IKEA?
I interviewed at IKEA The process was pretty standard, luckily no take home exercise. Portfolio is required. Steps: HR screening, Design Manager, Peer interview, Director interview, and then finally the Offer. The process went quite smooth and timely manner (within a month).
How do I get a job at IKEA?
The IKEA hiring process is pretty straightforward. After all, we’re straightforward people who like to keep things simple. Here’s what you can expect. 1. Search & apply for a job Found a job you fancy? Great, then it’s time to get that application in. First, visit our job portal and create your profile. Don’t forget to upload your CV.
What should you ask a IKEA interviewer?
As they advise on their website, “The interview process is not just about us getting to know you; it’s about you getting to know us. So feel free to ask anything you’re wondering about. Training, opportunities, career development, or perhaps why your interviewer started at IKEA or what they like or don’t like about work. It’s all good.”
How many IKEA interview questions are there?
Share Your Experiences Glassdoor has millions of jobs plus salary information, company reviews, and interview questions from people on the inside making it easy to find a job that’s right for you. IKEA interview details: 3,403 interview questions and 2,930 interview reviews posted anonymously by IKEA interview candidates.
