Retail Sales Associate applicants have rated the interview process at IKEA with 2.7 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 78% positive. To compare, the company-average is 77.7% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Retail Sales Associate roles take an average of 11 days to get hired, when considering 23 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at IKEA overall takes an average of 19 days.
Common stages of the interview process at IKEA as a Retail Sales Associate according to 23 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 18%
One on one interview: 17%
Skills test: 17%
Background check: 15%
Drug test: 15%
Presentation: 6%
Group panel interview: 5%
Personality test: 3%
Other: 2%
IQ intelligence test: 2%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at IKEA in Nov 2019
Interview
I applied online, a couple of days later got an email saying they were interested and to schedule a phone interview with HR. I did that, then on the day of the phone interview they just asked if I could go in to meet the store managers. Went in, sat in a beautiful room with low comfortable lighting which made me less nervous, spoke to two selling managers who took turn asking questions off a clipboard. They were engaged though, it felt like a conversation and not just a interview. And the questions were nothing typical that I had prepared for. They also asked about availability, things like that, told me about themselves. A week after that, I was offered a job and had 48 hours for drug/background testing, then I got a start date.
Interview questions [5]
Question 1
What would you do if a customer approached you in the store?
Interview was around 30 minutes. Two managers interviewed me and stated the companies values and mission. The interview had about 5-7 questions to see if you would be a fit.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
One of the questions were ‘Tell me about a time you had conflicting priorities? How did you prioritize them?’
I applied online. I interviewed at IKEA (Paramus, NJ) in Jan 2026
Interview
The manager was very kind and welcoming from the very beginning, making the interview pleasant and comfortable. Alisha took the time to clearly explain the interview protocol and process, provided clear instructions with patience, and answered all of my questions and concerns. It didn’t even feel like an interview, but rather a pleasant introductory conversation.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Most of the questions were about experiences and values.
she asked me how would I treat a new coworker?
Phone interview then in person interview. Many questions were about dealing with pressure - seemed more appropriate for higher level job. Long delay between application and interview. Weirdly serious. It was unclear how the interview questions related to the job in question.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was a circumstance at work where you solved a problem and how.