IKEA tells candidates what to expect in its interviews: behavioural questions about how you handled past situations, using skills such as decision making, teamwork, problem solving and communication, and questions about your values. Its step-by-step guide to the IKEA recruitment process even gives one question word for word: "Why do you want to work at IKEA?"
Everything below about the process comes from IKEA's own careers pages, linked as we go. They describe IKEA in the US; other countries may run things differently. Where IKEA doesn't say something, we say so rather than guess.
IKEA hiring process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What IKEA says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Search and apply | Create a profile on the job portal and upload your CV. A cover letter is optional | Not published |
| 2. Resume review | Recruiters review applications as they come in | "Timing can vary", as many jobs are popular; you'll get a response "as soon as possible" |
| 3. Phone screening | A recruiter calls selected candidates and asks for specific examples from your past | Not published |
| 4. Interview | Typically a personal interview with your future manager, at an IKEA location or online. You might also meet your manager's manager | Not published |
| 5. Hiring decision | The recruiter tells you the decision. IKEA contacts you to present and discuss the offer, and also sends it in writing | Unsuccessful candidates are told "right away" |
| 6. Onboarding | Access to a pre-boarding portal about IKEA, your team and your first day | After you accept |
What is the IKEA hiring process?
You apply online, recruiters review your CV, selected candidates get a phone screening, then an interview with the manager you'd work for, a decision and onboarding. IKEA describes the process as "pretty straightforward" and says it works with "several different types of interviews".
Cohesyve
Get some practice in before you apply to IKEA
Try an AI job simulation of the everyday work in roles like these and see where you lost marks. 3 free practice assessments, no card.
How do you apply to IKEA?
Create a profile on IKEA's job portal and upload your CV. IKEA doesn't require a cover letter, but says one gives you "the chance to present yourself and your motivation".
IKEA's CV advice is short: use a clean font and a simple design, cover your key skills and personal attributes and your work, volunteer or other experience, highlight what's relevant to the job, and check every date. If you haven't worked yet, list your school and volunteer experience.
What happens in the IKEA phone screening?
After reviewing CVs, recruiters call the candidates they've selected. IKEA says "we'll want to hear specific examples from your past experiences", so have two or three short examples ready before you answer an unknown number.
What is the IKEA interview like?
You'll typically meet your future manager in a personal interview, either at one of IKEA's working locations or online, and you might also meet your manager's manager. IKEA doesn't publish how many interviews there are or how long they last.
What IKEA does say:
- Expect behavioural questions. They "always focus on how you handled various work situations in the past".
- Expect to talk about your values. IKEA calls itself "a values-driven company" and wants to know "what is important to you and why you made the decisions you have made, both at work and in your private life".
- Ask questions. IKEA suggests asking about training, career development, or why your interviewer joined IKEA.
- Dress comfortably. IKEA says casual or more professional clothes are both fine.
For an online interview, IKEA asks you to test your camera, microphone and internet connection, set headphones as your audio source before you start, and, on a phone or tablet, download the app beforehand and keep a charger nearby. If the connection fails, relaunch the app and rejoin; if that doesn't work, your interviewer has your number and will call you.
Does IKEA have an assessment test?
IKEA's US recruitment guide doesn't mention any online assessment or test. The steps it lists are the application, a resume review, a phone screening and an interview. If you're asked to complete one for a particular role, the recruiter can tell you what it involves.
IKEA's careers site does offer an optional tool, Me & IKEA, a short choice-based story that helps you judge whether your values match IKEA's. IKEA presents it as a way to check your own fit.
What happens after the IKEA interview?
The recruiter lets you know the decision. If you're offered the job, IKEA contacts you to present and discuss the offer, and also sends it in writing so you can read it before deciding. IKEA says it's committed to equal pay, based on your experience and qualifications.
If you're not chosen, IKEA says it will tell you right away and may point you to other open positions. Once you accept an offer, you get access to IKEA's pre-boarding portal.
What does IKEA look for in candidates?
IKEA says "if you share our values, have a can-do attitude, and are interested in home furnishings, that's a good start", with role-specific skills on top. Its values page goes further: IKEA looks at "people's values before competence and experience" and sees "leadership as an action, not a position".
IKEA's eight values:
| Value | What to show in an interview |
|---|---|
| Togetherness | You work well in a team and help others |
| Cost-consciousness | You avoid waste and look for cheaper ways to get things done |
| Renew and improve | You question how things are done and suggest better ways |
| Give and take responsibility | You own tasks and mistakes, and trust others with work |
| Caring for people and planet | You think about colleagues, customers and the environment |
| Simplicity | You keep things practical and straightforward |
| Different with a meaning | You try new approaches for a clear reason |
| Lead by example | You do what you ask of others, whatever your title |
IKEA interview questions to prepare for
Apart from "Why do you want to work at IKEA?", IKEA doesn't publish its questions. These are built from the skills and values IKEA says it asks about.
1. Why do you want to work at IKEA?
IKEA asks this one directly. Connect your answer to its vision, "to create a better everyday life for the many people", and to something specific: the role, the store or a product range you know. IKEA suggests visiting a store or IKEA.com before your interview.
2. Tell me about yourself.
Keep it short and relevant, and include one thing about what matters to you. IKEA wants to know your values as well as your experience.
3. Tell me about a time you had to make a decision quickly.
IKEA names decision making as a skill it asks about. Explain what you knew, what you chose and why, and what happened.
4. Describe a time you worked as part of a team to get something done.
This is Togetherness. Show your own part clearly, and how you helped the group rather than only yourself.
5. Tell me about a problem you solved at work or school.
IKEA names problem solving too. Pick a practical problem, explain the steps you took and the result. Simple fixes count; IKEA lists Simplicity as a value.
6. Tell me about a time you had to explain something to someone who didn't understand.
This tests communication. Show how you adjusted your explanation and checked they understood. For store roles, a customer example works well.
7. Tell me about a time you found a better way to do something.
This is Renew and improve. Describe what you noticed, what you changed and what it saved or improved.
8. Describe a time you took responsibility for a mistake.
This is Give and take responsibility. Own the mistake plainly, show how you put it right and what you do differently now.
9. Tell me about a time you saved time, money or materials.
This is Cost-consciousness. Small examples are fine: reusing materials, cutting a step from a process, avoiding waste.
10. Tell me about a time you led by example.
IKEA sees leadership "as an action, not a position", so you don't need a management title. Show a moment you set the standard for others by what you did.
11. What is important to you, and how has it shaped a decision you made?
IKEA says it wants to know "why you made the decisions you have made, both at work and in your private life". Be honest and pick a decision you can explain clearly.
12. What do you know about IKEA, and what's your experience of our stores or products?
IKEA doesn't expect financial figures or an organisation chart, but does expect you to know "who we are and what we stand for". Mention a visit, a product you use or something from IKEA's site.
13. What questions do you have for us?
IKEA encourages this. Ask about training, career development, or why the interviewer joined IKEA and what they like about it.
Answer the behavioural questions with a clear structure. Our STAR method guide shows how, and our list of behavioural interview questions gives you more to practise on.
How to prepare for an IKEA interview
- Read IKEA's eight values and pick one real example for at least four of them.
- Prepare one example each for decision making, teamwork, problem solving and communication, since IKEA names all four.
- Visit a store or browse IKEA.com, as IKEA itself suggests, so your "Why IKEA?" answer is specific.
- Tidy your CV: a simple layout, relevant skills first, correct dates.
- Test your set-up if the interview is online, and keep your phone nearby in case the interviewer calls.
- Practise out loud, ideally in a mock interview with someone who will give honest feedback.
- Ask for any accommodation in advance. IKEA says to let it know by email or phone before the interview.
Practising realistic work tasks
Interviews reward prepared examples, and those come more easily once you've practised the work itself. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs free practice job simulations for your role. It isn't affiliated with IKEA and doesn't use IKEA's questions or interviews.
FAQs
Does IKEA require a cover letter?
No. IKEA says it doesn't require one, but you can include one to explain your background and motivation.
Who interviews you at IKEA?
Typically your future manager, at an IKEA location or online. IKEA says you might also have an interview with your manager's manager.
How long does it take to hear back from IKEA?
IKEA doesn't give a timeline. It says timing varies because many jobs are popular, and that you'll get a response as soon as possible.
What should I wear to an IKEA interview?
IKEA says "we're a casual bunch" and that casual or more professional clothes are both fine. Wear what you're comfortable in.
Does IKEA tell you if you don't get the job?
Yes. IKEA says it will let you know right away and may help you find other open positions.
What qualities does IKEA look for?
Shared values, a can-do attitude and an interest in home furnishings, plus the skills each job requires. IKEA says it looks at values before competence and experience.
Sources
IKEA's own pages, checked 27 October 2026:
- ikea.com: Your step-by-step guide to the IKEA recruitment process
- ikea.com: Work with us
- jobs.ikea.com: Our values