The Swedish furniture giant IKEA is known for its unique approach to career development and customer experience. Now, it’s pushing the boundaries of innovation by launching a brand-new virtual experience on the popular online platform, Roblox. This new initiative, called The Co-Worker Game, aims to give players an immersive taste of what it’s like to work at an IKEA store.
A Unique Career Path at IKEA
IKEA has always prided itself on its distinctive approach to employee growth, offering more freedom for workers to develop their careers within the company. At IKEA, career progression is not a one-size-fits-all path; instead, employees are encouraged to explore different roles, switch departments, and grow in various directions based on their interests and skills.
The Co-Worker Game: Virtual Store Experience
In an unprecedented move, IKEA is creating a virtual store within Roblox, allowing players to experience the work environment of an IKEA store. But the experience doesn't stop at just simulation—this virtual store comes with real-world opportunities.
IKEA is offering ten paid positions within this virtual store, with applications open until June 16. These positions are more than just a game; they come with a real hourly wage of £13.15, matching the rate of IKEA’s physical store employees in London. The paid job candidates must be 18 or older and reside in the UK or Ireland to apply.
Immersive Job Roles
The duties for these virtual positions are designed to mimic real-life tasks. Employees might find themselves roaming the shop’s famous Swedish Food Market, or even serving virtual meatballs at the Bistro. This initiative allows IKEA to bring its workplace culture to life in a virtual setting, offering players a unique and engaging way to understand what it means to work at IKEA.
Application and Interview Process
Interested candidates will need to visit The Co-Worker Game website to apply. The application process includes answering creative questions such as "How do you feel about being turned into pixels?" and scenarios like handling a bistro running out of pixelated hot dogs. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to virtual interviews between June 14 and 18, making the entire recruitment process fully remote and accessible.
A New Frontier for Employee Engagement
Darren Taylor, IKEA’s Country People and Culture Manager for the UK and Ireland, expressed excitement about this innovative approach to recruitment and career development. “We’re excited to be the first brand to launch paid work on Roblox to showcase how we do careers differently, bringing our unique careers philosophy to life,” he said. “Our co-workers can change roles, switch departments, and grow in any direction they choose, both in the game or in the real world.”
Not Just IKEA: Roblox's Growing Corporate Presence
IKEA is not alone in exploring the potential of Roblox for expanding its reach and engaging with a younger audience. Netflix recently announced its own digital theme park on Roblox, known as Nextworld. This hub allows players to explore areas, characters, and games based on popular Netflix properties like Stranger Things and One Piece.
Conclusion
IKEA’s venture into Roblox with The Co-Worker Game is a groundbreaking step in blending virtual reality with real-world career opportunities. By offering paid positions in a virtual store, IKEA is not only showcasing its commitment to innovative career development but also providing a unique and immersive experience for players. This initiative exemplifies how virtual platforms like Roblox can be leveraged to create meaningful, engaging, and educational experiences that bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds. Whether you're a fan of IKEA or simply curious about the future of work, The Co-Worker Game on Roblox is an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead.