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Fans Score Coveted 2011 IKEA Catalogs Two Weeks in Advance at the First IKEA-Sponsored Fan Event

Never mind the appalling lack of language skills; check out the final tweet. Perhaps it’s not the age so much as the lack of maturity that’s holding you back, darlin’. Seriously – social media is called social for a reason … there are lots of people with their ears to the ground and one of them might just be your potential future hiring manager. 4real!

IKEA Drug Testing

To answer the question that’s likely on everyone’s mind: Does IKEA do drug testing prior to employment? Yes. You’ll be asked to submit to a cheek swab, so there’s no faking it with someone else’s pee like if it were a ‘piss test’.

In this type of drug test, a swab that looks similar to a toothbrush with an absorbant pad instead of bristles is held in the mouth between the gum and cheek for a period of 2 minutes, then it is placed into a collection vial to be sent for testing. This form of saliva test can detect marijuana and thc, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. Unlike urine, or hair tests, the saliva test can only detect drugs used within the previous 72 hours or so.

Still, if you’re slinging my flatpacks around, stay off the weed.

Starring Illeana Douglas and a host of c0-stars, including Justine Bateman, Tom Arnold, Keanu Reeves and others, this second season of the IKEA branded web series is all about who will be voted Co-Worker of the Year. You can vote! Just hit the Easy To Assemble series website to vote.  Watch here each week for a new episode and follow the coverage at IKEAFANS.com!

cscawthon writes to ask about Getting Hired at IKEA:

Hopefully someone can give me some feedback on getting a foot in the door. I have responded to numerous positions, but have never been called for an interview. I am highly qualified, experienced and enthusiastic. I have had experts review my resume, and I know that it is outstanding. I have gone to my local store to try to speak to the hiring manager, but was not able to do so. I have tried to call the HR manager, but only get voice mail. I have left messages, but my call has not been returned. What’s up? Any suggestions?

Answer from fries_n_gravy, a coworker at IKEA Orange, in Costa Mesa, CA:

There’s not really a hiring manager per se; each candidate is reviewed by whoever his/her manager would be (for example, a position in Beds would be picked and interviewed by the Beds manager).

Did you apply online? For some reason the online aspect is highly essential. Go to IKEA | Job search and follow the application process. It looks like there are a number of sales jobs there, so all you have to do is plug in your info and apply for those specific jobs. If all else fails, you can print out a cover letter and resume and leave it with someone downstairs to pass on.

I got hired by going to a job fair that I found out about only a couple of days earlier (sheer luck). After a period of waiting and snacking on Swedish candy, there was a manager-led roundrobin interview with a group of people; after that, the manager filters out the prospective candidates to relevant department managers where they conduct individual interviews.

I’d imagine it’s a little bit more competitive, but it’s way easier to shine in that environment (I know I dazzled the **** out of my manager). Still, for the job fair thing, you need to apply online to be in the system (not sure if they keep a copy of your resume with your file or what). Also, they’re not held all that often, so check with you local IKEA.

Tips on Getting Hired at IKEA:

Apply online first – you must have an online application in the system to be considered for a job.

Be competitive – you are competing against many hundreds of other qualified people for the same job if you’re applying for a new store opening (and these days, even for a regular opening!). Shine.

Don’t count on your resume – Make personal contacts, show up at a job fair, or talk to current co-workers about what’s important to be hired in the department in which you want to work.

Follow up – these days, simply writing a thank you note after an interview may be enough to make you stand out from the crowd.  Call back only if you haven’t heard a thing after 2-3 weeks.

Good luck!

David Hood, Ikea Australia’s country manager, told new.com.au the new agreement aims to

“create a better everyday life for co-workers.

“Despite the prospect of rising unemployment rates, it still remains a challenge to attract and retain a diverse group of co-workers,” he said.

“By offering some of the best employee benefits in Australia, we are demonstrating our commitment to co-workers, and aim to be ranked amongst the best employers of choice in the retail sector.

“Our core customers are families with young children, and we want our co-worker team to reflect this. Supporting family life at home for co-workers is one of the best ways we can achieve this aim.”

Ikea Weighs More Job Cuts as Sales Growth Slows

Over the past ten months, IKEA have slashed 5,000 jobs worldwide, mainly in manufacturing and logistics.

“We have never had to implement such massive job cuts before…. But it is completely necessary to adapt our costs and our capacity to demand, which is weaker than we expected,” managing director Anders Dahlvig said two weeks ago.

He said IKEA was caught off guard by the severity of the economic crisis.

“The sharp downturn of the economy has really surprised us. This downturn is very closely linked to the housing sector and is therefore even worse for our industry. Home decorating has plunged much more than the retail sector in general,” he said.

And yesterday comes this, “There might be layoffs, since we have to adjust the organization to the dampened sales growth,” said spokeswoman Charlotte Lindgren, adding that the company doesn’t yet know how many jobs would be affected.

The economic slowdown has helped IKEA boost its market share as its low-price products have won out over those of more expensive competitors. Nonetheless, its sales are about eight billion Swedish kronor, or $1 billion, below budget for 2009, Ms. Lindgren said.

Although IKEA plans to cut new store growth in half, 14 new stores are due to open this year, an investment worth some 12 billion kronor ($1.5 billion), Dahlvig said.

And new staff will be needed for those stores, so IKEA expects its number of employees worldwide to remain at around 130,000 despite the cutbacks.

1. Give a human face to environmental issues;
2. Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
3. Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
4. Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

This year’s theme, ‘Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change’, is a topic that reflects everyone’s individual responsibility to protect the planet.

In honor of the day, I thought I’d share some of the ways IKEA and its Co-Workers are taking responsibility globally.

Ontario, Canada ~ IKEA Canada Co-Workers and Tree Canada celebrate 13 years of planting trees together as part of IKEA’s “Pick a Tree, Plant a Tree” program. The program is funded by last year’s Christmas tree sale and the $0.05 plastic bag fee.  Pick a Tree, Plant a Tree is responsible for 14,450 trees and shrubs, which will offset a total of 1774.4 tonnes of CO(2) in a 20 year period. This equals someone driving a mid sized car for more than 290,000 kilometres or 50 times from Vancouver to Halifax.

Maylaysia ~ Starting today, IKEA Malaysia will stop giving customers free plastic bags. Instead, customers are ­encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase IKEA’s iconic reusable Big Blue Bag. For ­customers who still insist on having plastic bags, IKEA will be charging 10sen and 20sen for each small- and medium/large-sized plastic bags respectively.  Chong Hock Ben, social and environment manager of IKEA Malaysia says, “The money raised from the sales of plastic bags will be donated to the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), which is the largest, oldest and leading local environmental non-profit ­organization.  “With the proceeds, IKEA in ­collaboration with MNS will plant and maintain mangrove trees at the mangrove forest in Kuala Selangor Nature Park to offset carbon dioxide emissions.

United Kingdom ~ With their ‘One Step Greener with Every Swipe’ program, every time you swipe your IKEA Family Card, IKEA makes a donation to Woodland Trust to create one square foot of woodland.

These are just a few of the ways IKEA is doing their part. Share with us how your local IKEA store and its co-workers are giving back.  Not just on World Environment Day, but everyday. Every little bit helps right? Let us know over in our forums.

I hear you, I hear you…what about the contest?!  Here it is!

*CONTEST*

Want to have a little fun and earn some prizes (including an eco-friendly vacation!)?  Yes?! Then head over here and tell IKEA how you are doing your part and re-using your Big Blue Bag.  I couldn’t find anything saying co-workers weren’t eligble so you guys join in the fun too! (and please correct me if I’m wrong on this!!)

If you’ve worked during one the the Seize the Days sales at IKEA, you’ll know why they’re alternately called Seizure Weekends.  You can get the skinny on the latest Seize the Days Sales flyers for IKEA USA at:

IKEA Seize the Days Sale

IKEA Seize the Days Full Sales Flyer

If you’re a shopper, bear in mind that due to the potential for extreme demand and limited quantities, most IKEAs have developed a ticketing or number system to reduce the chance of a riot (scary, but true).  Check the front entrance for co-workers handing out tickets and be sure to get there early!  Read real-life stories and advice from IKEA co-workers about Seize the Days.

To my knowledge, most of the US stores have adopted some type of “ticket” system which enables the store to control the crowds. With each event, IKEA gets better at communicating with the customer what’s going on in the store. The call center has asked for information for each day of how the store is going to handle the product (ie: tickets, stock on floor, etc)

I would suggest for future events that customers contact the call center and ask specifically how THEIR store will be handling the event. If the call center cannot give specifics, then ask to be transfered to the store directly to get the details.

Seize the Days, IKEA!

]]> http://www.theikeaworld.com/seize-the-days-at-ikea-aka-seizure-weekend//feed 0 http://www.theikeaworld.com/ikea-jobs-where-to-find-them/ http://www.theikeaworld.com/ikea-jobs-where-to-find-them/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:09:40 +0000 The IKEA World http://www.theikeaworld.com/?p=29 IKEA Jobs -

Who wouldn’t want one? Working at IKEA can be fun, and IKEA employment could mean benefits for you and your family even if you only work part-time. There are a few ways to find a job at IKEA.

IKEA Jobs through their Website

IKEA USA Jobs

Group IKEA Website Jobs

IKEA Jobs on Jobsites

We’ve put together a list of some job boards and employment sites that regularly list available IKEA Co-Worker positions.

IKEA Jobs on Careerbuilder.com

Company:IKEA on Simply hired

All IKEA Jobs on Indeed.com

Of course, you can always come to The IKEA World for the latest jobs posted – check our right hand column for the most up to date IKEA Job Listings.

Need a hit of socialization with your fellow IKEA Co-Workers worldwide? Find other IKEA Co-Workers on Social Networks around the world:

LinkedIn:

IKEA Co-Worker Group
IKEA Enterprise Group

IKEAFANS.com Forums

Private Co-Workers Forum

Facebook

IKEA Fan Group Page
IKEA Co-Workers Group
IKEA Comm-In Co-Workers Group

Twitter

IKEA on Twitter
Twitter discussions about IKEA
IKEAFANS on Twitter