Ikea Psychometric Test, Assessment Centre, Recruitment Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2024

What Is Ikea?

Ikea is a well-known Swedish multinational conglomerate that sells furniture that is ready to assemble at home. They also offer a design service, which is best known for its minimalist kitchen designs. Recently Ikea has slipped into the “Smart House” space.  It has partnered with Phillips Hue, and have begun to incorporate the Sonos smart speaker technology into many of its furniture designs.

Based in Delft, Ikea operates 433 stores in 52 countries. Ikea provides jobs to an astounding 220,000 people worldwide. There are a number of career paths available with Ikea. Warehouse jobs, customer service, food service, corporate, and IT are some areas that Ikea hires in. Ikea strives to be a diverse workplace, that is a good environment for all employees. With that in mind, even associates who work under 20 hours a week are eligible for some benefits. Those who are there for over 20 horse are offered a benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Parental leave
• Pet insurance
• Store discounts
• Retirement savings

What Is Ikea’s Hiring Process?

Application

To apply for a position with Ikea search the website to see the available openings. To be alerted of new positions that are available, create a profile so you can be emailed alerts. You can upload your resume and cover letter to your Ikea jobs profile, or connect through Linkedin or other social media websites.

Ikea’s Psychometric  Tests

Considerations for some positions with Ikea require more than just an application and interview. Some positions also require a behavioural inventory, cognitive assessments, or skills tests. These test will help them shortlist the best applicants, so no time is wasted on candidates who are not suitable.

PI Cognitive Assessment

Ikea uses the PI cognitive assessment (PLI) to help determine if job-seekers have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This is a multiple-choice test, given online. It is made up of 50 questions, and you will have 12 minutes to complete as many of the questions as you can. After 12 minutes the exam will automatically shut off. The questions will focus on three different areas to get an idea of your overall abilities.

• Verbal Reasoning – This indicates your ability to both communicate well, and understand written directions. These questions will consist of comparing allegories, identifying synonyms and antonyms, and using a written passage to answer related questions.
• Numerical Reasoning – This is meant to show your general abilities when working with numbers. You will need to solve word problems and identify patterns in number sequences.
• Abstract Reasoning – To see how well you can problem solve without using words or numbers, these questions will use shapes and patterns to test your logical thought processes. You will need to identify which shapes come next in a sequence, and use spatial reasoning to tell similarities within different shapes.

PI Behavioural Assessment

The PI behavioural assessment is used so a profile of your workplace personality can be put together. This is an untimed two-page survey. The first page asks you to pick words that describe how you think others perceive you. On the second page, you will need to pick the adjectives that you feel best describe you. The test focuses on identifying four separate traits that are important in the workplace.

• Dominance
• Extraversion
• Formality
• Patience

These are considered the four predictors of workplace behavior, and different model profiles have been made for different positions.

Other Tests

Other tests you may be required to take include a situational judgment test, which shows how you respond to common workplace conflicts. Those going into warehouse positions may need to take a mechanical aptitude test. Excel and Word testing, programming, and typing are other skills that may be tested for if the position you applied for requires specialized skills.

Ikea’s Interviews

Your first interview with Ikea will be over the phone. This is a standard screening during which your resume and qualifications will be discussed, and you can ask any questions you may have about the position. Following this, some applicants may be asked to submit a video interview through HireVue. For a video interview, you will be sent a link and you will have 2 minutes to prepare for each question. Next will be a face-to-face interview, or for some job-seekers, an assessment centre.

Assessment Centre

During the assessment centre, there may be more assessment tests. These are often given twice to make sure candidates’ scores stay consistent. The assessment day will also consist of group interviews, and group activities. For some positions you may be asked to work on a case study and put together a presentation. The final part of the assessment day will be one on one interviews.

How to Prepare for Ikea’s Assessments?

To be considered for a position with Ikea, you need every aspect of your application and assessment to stand out. Put your best foot forward by using your time to practise for the assessment tests. Strengthen your numerical reasoning skills by doing math drills and practising word problems. Increase your critical thinking and logic skills with word puzzles, and work on your vocabulary with crossword puzzles. Use online apps designed to promote cognitive function to help strengthen your skills and your confidence.

The behavioural test requires you to answer truthfully to create an accurate profile. Consider everything on the tests carefully, and don’t pick a descriptor because it sounds positive. Trying to pick only positive words, or “cheat” the test, can create an unbalanced profile that will be disregarded.