Last Updated: April 9, 2026
IKEA Application: How to Apply Online (2026)
How to Apply at IKEA
To apply at IKEA, go to inter.ikea.com/en/jobs (IKEA’s global careers site) or search “IKEA [your city]” on Indeed. IKEA uses its own proprietary application system; creating an account on the IKEA careers portal is required to apply and track your application status.
- Go to inter.ikea.com/en/jobs — search for openings by country (United States) and filter by store location and job area (retail, logistics, food service, etc.).
- Create an IKEA careers account — register with your email address. IKEA’s portal is separate from third-party job boards.
- Search by store location — IKEA has ~50 US stores; select your nearest store to see available co-worker positions.
- Complete the application — IKEA’s applications typically include behavioral questions about teamwork, customer service values, and sustainability commitment. Answer thoughtfully — IKEA screens for cultural fit heavily.
- Online assessment — some positions include a brief personality/values assessment aligned with IKEA’s culture and the “IKEA Way.”
- Interview — typically 2 rounds: phone screen with HR + in-person or video interview with the department manager.
- Background check and onboarding — required pre-hire; IKEA’s onboarding is structured and thorough compared to typical retail chains.
Career portal: inter.ikea.com/en/jobs | US stores: ~50 locations | Unique title: “Co-worker” (not employee) | Hiring competition: High — IKEA receives many applications per opening
IKEA Job Positions & Pay Rates
IKEA hires co-workers across four primary areas: Customer Relations (sales floor), Logistics (warehouse and fulfillment), Food & Beverage (IKEA Restaurant and bistro), and Facilities (maintenance, cleaning). All are referred to as “co-workers.”
| Position | Pay Range | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Co-worker — Sales Floor / Customer Relations | $18–$24/hr | Full-time / Part-time |
| Co-worker — Logistics / Warehouse | $19–$25/hr | Full-time / Part-time |
| Co-worker — Food & Beverage (Restaurant) | $17–$22/hr | Full-time / Part-time |
| Co-worker — Facilities | $17–$21/hr | Full-time / Part-time |
| Team Leader (Supervisor) | $24–$32/hr | Full-time |
| Department Manager | $55,000–$80,000/yr | Full-time / Salaried |
| Store Manager | $100,000–$150,000/yr | Full-time / Salaried |
IKEA Application Requirements
- Minimum age: 18 years old (IKEA’s global policy; no 16-year-old hires)
- No prior retail experience required for co-worker positions — IKEA trains extensively
- Cultural fit emphasis: IKEA screens heavily for alignment with its values (sustainability, equality, cost-consciousness, togetherness) — this is weighted in application review and interviews
- Physical requirements for logistics: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, operate forklifts (training provided), stand for extended periods
- Availability: IKEA stores are open 7 days a week, often until 9–10pm; weekend availability is important
- Background check: Required for all positions
IKEA Interview Process
IKEA’s interview process is more structured than typical retail chains. The company uses competency-based interview techniques and specifically evaluates cultural alignment with IKEA’s values.
Interview structure
- Round 1 (phone screen): HR recruiter, ~20–30 minutes; availability, background, salary expectations
- Round 2 (in-person/video): Department manager; competency-based behavioral questions, values assessment discussion
- Group interview: Some stores conduct group hiring events for seasonal or large-scale hiring — candidates participate in collaborative activities observed by assessors
Common interview questions
- “Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.”
- “How does sustainability factor into your personal values?”
- “Describe a situation where you worked successfully as part of a team.”
- “What do you know about IKEA’s Democratic Design principles?”
- “How do you handle a frustrated customer who can’t find an item in a large store?”
Tip: Research IKEA’s founding story (Ingvar Kamprad, 1943, Älmhult Sweden), its sustainability roadmap, and the concept of “Democratic Design” (form, function, quality, sustainability, low price). Interviewers often ask what you know about the brand.
IKEA Employee Benefits
IKEA offers one of the strongest benefit packages in US retail for hourly co-workers:
- Health, dental, vision insurance — available to full-time co-workers; below-market employee premiums
- 401(k) with company match — IKEA matches up to 3–4% of salary
- Paid time off — vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay; accrual starts from day one
- Parental leave — paid parental leave for eligible co-workers (one of the few US retailers to offer this for hourly staff)
- IKEA staff discount — 15% discount on IKEA products
- Tuition assistance — education reimbursement available
- Employee Assistance Program — mental health, financial counseling, legal support
- Retirement plan (Tack! program) — IKEA contributes an additional percentage of salary to a retirement fund for long-tenured co-workers (4+ years of service)
- Free IKEA meals — co-workers receive free or heavily subsidized meals in the store restaurant during shifts
IKEA Career Development
IKEA’s “everyone can grow” culture means internal mobility is actively encouraged. The company fills the vast majority of management roles internally — external management hires are rare. Many IKEA store managers in the US started as co-workers.
- Co-worker → Team Leader: Typically 1–3 years; IKEA runs internal leadership development programs
- Team Leader → Department Manager: 2–5 years; department manager training is formal and structured
- Department Manager → Store Manager or Country/Global roles: IKEA’s international structure creates global career mobility — managers can transfer between countries
Frequently Asked Questions
IKEA’s use of “co-worker” (or “co-worker” in Swedish: “medarbetare”) reflects the company’s flat organizational philosophy, rooted in founder Ingvar Kamprad’s anti-hierarchical values. All staff — from stock associates to the CEO — are “co-workers.” This is not just branding: IKEA’s internal culture genuinely discourages hierarchy and emphasizes collective ownership of outcomes. During interviews, using “co-worker” instead of “employee” signals cultural awareness.
Yes, relative to most US retailers. IKEA’s above-market pay ($18–24/hr vs. $15–18/hr retail average) and strong benefits attract significantly more applications per opening than comparable retail positions. The application process — including values screening and 2-round interviews — filters for cultural fit. Applicants who have researched IKEA’s brand values and history consistently perform better in interviews.
Yes. IKEA offers both full-time and part-time positions. Part-time co-workers working 20+ hours/week are typically eligible for health benefits — an unusual benefit for part-time retail workers. Exact eligibility varies; confirm during the hiring process.
Tack! (Swedish for “thank you”) is IKEA’s long-service retirement contribution program. Co-workers who have completed 5 or more years of continuous service receive an additional employer contribution to a retirement account each year. The program is designed to reward loyalty and is one of the more unusual hourly retail benefits in the US.
IKEA’s hiring process is longer than most retail chains — typically 3–6 weeks from application to offer. This reflects the structured screening, 2-round interviews, and background check process. Apply early if you have a target start date. Some seasonal hiring events move faster (1–2 weeks) due to bulk hiring needs.