What does your future with IKEA look like?
Your interviewer wants to know whether you have well-defined career goals and how ambitious or career driven you are. This will help them identify whether you could potentially be a future leader at IKEA or whether you are happy with maintaining the status quo. However, looking at their value propositions, they advertise that they present opportunities for you to "assemble the career of your dreams. People stay with IKEA for years and years. Exceptional career and learning possibilities are just some of the reasons why. Pick your path, build your skills, and go wherever your increasing competence and curiosity lead you."
"I see myself working here at IKEA for the long haul -- I'm so excited by everything I've read about the work environment here, so right now, I can't imagine a situation that would cause me to leave. I would love to work my way up into a leadership role in the future as you feel that I'm ready for more responsibility, and I'm eager to earn that responsibility with my hard work and down-to-earth personality."
"Since I'm finishing my degree, I'm only able to commit to about 20 hours per week, but I'm looking forward to being able to work more after I graduate in December. I'm interested in several different areas of the organization, especially in merchandising and design -- I'm working to earn my degree in interior design, so I'm very hopeful that I can work my way into a creative position at IKEA in the future."
Consider where you hope this position will lead. Whatever your goals, assure your interviewer that you hope to establish an enduring professional relationship with IKEA. Show that you've put a lot of thought into pursuing this opportunity and that it feels like a good fit for what you are looking for as an ideal employment opportunity.
As they say on their site, "The future is a better version of the present. We are sure that tomorrow can always be better and that we can all contribute to making that happen. All we need is an open, curious mind and a steely edge. We're not completely sure where we'll end up, but we're looking forward to getting there. In a world where most things have not yet been done, our possibilities are endless. Get the freedom to move to different sites in the U.S. or abroad. It's all up to you."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have a background in design, so I definitely see myself at IKEA for many years, hopefully moving up in the ranks. I would like to eventually move up in the ranks to a leadership position.
Kevin's Feedback
Nice! You expressed interest in planning to stay with the company for multiple years, which is great, and that you aspire to grow within the company. If you plan on bringing up your background, consider talking more about any particular roles in that field which you're hoping to eventually be promoted to. But revisit the 'how to answer' advice given. What you didn't cover in your answer were these key points: IKEA promotes those who show potential and surpass expectations, those who learn new things and take on additional responsibilities, stepping outside your comfort zone and challenge themselves.
I am definitely interested in any growth opportunities within. But, I get those expectations are mutual. In order to seize those opportunities, I must first prove my ability to identify my growth opportunities to garner the trust that I’m a good fit for growing into those positions. But I feel I am well equipped to rise to such challenges, as I’ve made a habit of stepping outsize of my comfort zone, with a willingness to take on additional responsibilities at every opportunity.
