How Old Do You Have to be to Work at IKEA?
IKEA has a strong set of values that guides the company culture. They pride themselves on being a company filled with "straightforward, innovative, creative, and common-sense problem solvers" who are "constantly trying to find better ways to get things done" and to bring out the best in themselves and others. IKEA employees have an entrepreneurial spirit, with a passion for innovation and finding new solutions.
To get an entry-level job at IKEA as a retail sales associate, retail cashier and customer service, food service team member, warehouse worker, or furniture builder you must be at least 18 years old. IKEA also prefers that applicants have a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of prior work experience, but it's not required.
Teen Jobs at IKEA and Age Requirements
Retail Sales Associate (Hourly)
Retail Sales Associates at IKEA are the ones who meet the customers -- in stores, online, and beyond. They have knowledge of the IKEA product range, local markets, and customer needs. And, they are constantly finding new ways to make real connections with customers to maximize sales and profitability.
Job responsibilities include:
- Assisting customers and providing advice on the best solutions for their homes.
- Keeping your sales floor tidy, priced and fully stocked to give customers a positive shopping experience.
- Acting as an expert and consultant on a broad range of home furnishing solutions, products and services to inspire and inform customers.
- Guiding customers toward top-selling and prioritized products.
- Assembling display products for the introduction of new products.
To work as a retail sales associate at IKEA, you must be at least 18 years old.
Retail Cashier and Customer Service (Hourly)
IKEA is all about their customers. Employees in Customer Relations build and retain long-lasting relationships with new and existing customers in a multichannel retail environment. It's a diverse team that works together to ensure a positive and joyful experience for all IKEA visitors and customers.
Customer Relations sets up services, gathers feedback and makes things right! Their modus operandi is to connect to people by listening to their personal needs and to create genuine interactions. They are a bunch of people who are truly passionate about people.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Build loyalty by ensuring customers have a positive final touchpoint during the IKEA shopping experience
- Provide an efficient and accurate checkout experience in various areas of the store
- Offer additional products and services such as home delivery, credit card, and IKEA Family card
- Resolve customer concerns independently to meet their unique needs and expectations4
- Provide friendly, safe, and efficient car loading and unloading services
You must be at least 18 years old to work as a retail cashier and customer service worker at IKEA.
Food Service Team Member (Hourly)
Food is your passion when you are a Food Service Team Member at IKEA, whether you’re cooking or serving customers. Food Service Team members know food plays a vital role in creating a better everyday life for the many people – especially when it’s honest, healthy and delicious.
Job responsibilities include:
- Creating a great experience for IKEA customers with a modern taste of Sweden
- Preparing and presenting hot and cold IKEA Food menu items to operational standards.
- Understanding and complying with local food safety regulations and HACCP protocols.
- Providing excellent service to customers in the retail restaurant and bistro.
- Minimizing waste in line with the IKEA Sustainability Direction.
You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Food Service Team Member at IKEA.
Warehouse Worker (Hourly)
A warehouse job at IKEA is so much more than moving things from A to B. It’s the stuff in between that makes being a member of their logistics team unique. Warehouse workers at IKEA contribute to the fulfillment of customer orders in different sales channels in the retail store by ensuring an efficiently executed product availability and replenishment process.
Job responsibilities include:
- Receiving inbound goods and ensures inventory accuracy at point of receiving.
- Moving product to final selling location (in storage or on the floor—all areas).
- Performing sales space replenishment with flexibility and according to visual merchandising guidance.
- Selecting goods for customers within the agreed time frame, securing excellent quality of delivery in a multichannel environment.
- Adhering to store inventory control procedures, including proper transfer type usage and inventory taking procedures.
- Contributing to an environment where the IKEA culture is a strong and living reality that embraces the diversity of co-workers and customers.
You must be at least 18 years old to be a Warehouse Worker at IKEA.
Furniture Builder/Quality Associate (Hourly)
A Furniture Builder/Quality Associate at IKEA contributes to the recovery and quality of furniture and displays in the retail store. Giving products a second chance while keeping the financial result, customer experience and sustainability in mind.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Performing maintenance checks on displays for quality, appearance, function, and safety.
- Building furniture for displays and ensuring it is accurately presented.
- Partnering with the returns team on all damaged products and determining the best way to repurpose returned products.
- Setting relevant prices, on As-Is products, that are attractive to customers, yet still generate the best results for the store.
- Considering the sustainability impact when deciding when and how to recover products.
You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Furniture Builder/Quality Associate at IKEA.
Can a 15 Year Old Work at IKEA?
No. The minimum age to work at IKEA is 18. We do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view for other options.
Can a 16 Year Old Work at IKEA?
No. 16-year-olds can't work at IKEA. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can view for other options.
How Much Does IKEA Pay Part-Time Workers?
The hourly earnings for employees at IKEA vary greatly because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Retail Sales Associate (Hourly)
Retail Sales Associates at IKEA usually earn between $14 and $20 per hour. The average hourly rate for this position is $16.
Retail Cashier and Customer Service (Hourly)
Retail Cashier and Customer Service associates at IKEA usually earn between $14 and $20 per hour. The average hourly rate for this position is $16.
Food Services Team Member (Hourly)
Food Service Team Members at IKEA can earn anywhere between $14 and $22 per hour. The average hourly rate for this position is $16.
Warehouse Worker (Hourly)
Entry-level Warehouse Workers at IKEA usually start at around $15 per hour. The average wage is $17 per hour.
Furniture Builder (Hourly)
IKEA Furniture Builders usually start at around $15 per hour. The average wage for this position is $17 per hour.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at IKEA?
IKEA is an entry-level friendly company, and they do hire teen workers, 18 and over, at their retail locations, warehouses, and call centers. However, they do prefer that applicants have a high school diploma or GED. And, one year of previous retail experience will definitely make your application stand out.
What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at IKEA?
When you show up for your interview at IKEA, you will want to be dressed in business casual attire. Consider something fashionable and trendy. Or, go traditional with a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks or jeans and dress shoes. The key is to look nice, clean, and put together.
IKEA Interview Questions
The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why are they asking?
If they ask you this question, they are trying to find out what job skills you can bring to the position, and what you need to work on.
Applicants are usually able to communicate their strengths, but when it comes to weaknesses, some think it’s best to say they don’t have any or can’t think of any. Don’t do this!
What’s the ideal answer?
The hiring manager wants to know that you can accept feedback and develop your own skills. Give one or two strengths with examples to go with them. Then list one or two weaknesses, and describe how you’re working on them.
A good answer for a weakness would be something like, “I’ve been told I speak too quickly, so I’ve been practicing slowing down when talking with customers.”
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer and what was the outcome?
Why are they asking?
When it comes to life in customer service, you will come across your share of upset or difficult customers. If you have prior work experience, they might ask you this question to see how you dealt with the situation because it does come up, and you need to handle it in the best way possible.
What’s the ideal answer?
If you don’t have any experiences with difficult customers, that’s okay. If you do, tell them the story (if you handled it well, and it had a positive outcome). If the situation ended up with you screaming and yelling or getting fired, that’s not a story you want to share.
They want to hear that you did your best to make the difficult customer happy. Or, if you couldn’t fix the problem, you notified a manager and had them help you.
I read through your application. Is there anything you would like to expand on?
Why are they asking?
If a manager asks you this question, they are trying to find out more about you and get you to sell yourself. A big part of your job at IKEA would be selling products and promotions to customers. They are wanting to find out how well you can communicate, while being positive and professional.
You may not have any previous work experience, but you can still have skills like communication, time-management, money-handling, etc...
What’s the ideal answer?
Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, tell them how you will benefit their business. They want to hear that you have good verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, and can give good customer service.
Tell them that you are a reliable worker who will show up to work on time for every scheduled shift. If you are interested in a long-term career with the company, definitely let them know.
Benefits of Working at IKEA
All IKEA employees receive a discount on store merchandise. Benefits are available for both part-time and full-time workers, based on location and role.
Benefits include:
- Health insurance
- Employee discount
- Vision insurance
- Retirement plan
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Flexible schedule
- Tuition reimbursement
