Olga Izquierdo’s Post

IKEA and Roblox, an alliance that promises a new generation of workers. In the dynamic landscape of online gaming, Roblox has emerged as a globally significant entertainment platform where users can create games for public enjoyment. This platform allows users to create and explore virtual worlds, rising as a giant in the digital economy, challenging even names like Fortnite. With its focus on creativity and community, Roblox has redefined online gaming and opened doors for professionals and innovative collaborations, as demonstrated by its partnership with IKEA to attract new talent through virtual experiences. Roblox, popular among children, believes in the metaverse and hired staff to foster job opportunities on the platform. Despite concerns about user safety, Roblox has continually improved its services. As part of this effort, it teamed up with IKEA to offer employment opportunities to players. These two major companies launched an initiative that could change the future of work. IKEA, recognized for its furniture and home products, sought innovative ways to reach Generation Z, a demographic that values their digital and physical lives. By collaborating with Roblox, IKEA aimed to leverage this digital environment to present its job opportunities to young people in an attractive and relevant way. The initiative started with IKEA UK, which wanted to attract a new generation of employees immersed in video games. On June 24, IKEA launched "The Co-Worker Game" on Roblox, an initiative developed in collaboration with the creative agency Mother. This game allowed players to virtually experience working at IKEA, taking on roles in various store sections, from showrooms to the restaurant. Players organized items, helped customers choose furniture, and even served meatballs, emulating real tasks performed in IKEA stores. The experience was designed to show users the variety of roles and career progression paths available at IKEA through games inspired by real jobs. Although it was an innovative initiative, it faced challenges, such as ensuring user safety and privacy, managing realistic expectations about working at IKEA, and dealing with limited paid positions. Additionally, the need for technological skills could exclude some valuable candidates. Nevertheless, this partnership represented a cutting-edge approach to recruitment, highlighting IKEA as a modern and attractive company for young talent. By leveraging enthusiasm for digital platforms, IKEA could usher in a new era in recruitment, where immersive experiences played a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent. It is still unclear whether the program will continue or remain occasional, though it might have benefited many users through this initiative between IKEA and Roblox. Meanwhile, IKEA continues to innovate and adapt, demonstrating its willingness to explore new frontiers to stay relevant in the changing job market.

The consumer game website, The Gamer, doesn't pull any punches in questioning Ikea hiring people to staff a virtual store. ----- TheGamer: "Ikea Is Hiring Roblox Players To Run Its Virtual Store" (Joshua Robertson) (Jun 3, 2024) "--Ikea is hiring 10 people to run a virtual store in Roblox, as part of a campaign to show young people the career paths available at the store. --Those hired will be paid £13.15/€14.80 per hour, with tasks ranging from picking furniture to serving meatballs. --Thankfully, the position will only be available for people over the age of 18, and limited to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland." Ikea has announced that it is hiring ten people to run its virtual store in Roblox, who will work in different areas of the store helping pick out furniture for customers and serve meatballs in the Bistro. It seems like every month we're getting closer and closer to a disturbingly dystopian future, with companies such as Disney, Epic Games, and Meta obsessed with bringing our daily lives into the online realm. We can now add Ikea to that growing list of companies, as it recently took a big step towards some kind of Ready Player One nightmare world by announcing that it's hiring ten people to sit and run its virtual store that's being set up inside Roblox. First spotted by Bloxz Media on Twitter, this store is being set up as part of a "Careers Done Different" campaign to try and show younger people the possible career paths available at Ikea. Putting aside the slightly questionable morality of trying to recruit children at such a young age, those that are hired will be tasked with helping people pick out their furniture if they're assigned to the Showroom, or serving meatballs to customers if they're working in the Bistro. Ikea Is Hiring People To Run A Virtual Roblox Store On the Ikea The Co-Worker website, it explains that workers will be paid £13.15 / €14.80 an hour, be able to move departments, and can even be promoted. All you need to do to apply is fill out a form with questions as soul-searching as "How do you feel about being turned into pixels?" and "What would you do if we ran out of pixelated hot dogs in our bistro?" It all has a very "how do you do, fellow kids" vibe to it. Thankfully, the position is only available to those over the age of 18, which is probably for the best considering Roblox has been criticized for potential child exploitation in the past. The position is also only open to people inside the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, but at least it's remote. That's kind of implied, given you'll be earning a wage to play Roblox, which is a sentence that doesn't sound any less strange no matter how many times I run it through my head. Then again, this is the same company that thought Roblox "dating experiences" was a good idea." TheGamer: https://lnkd.in/gx2P6WJU #gameindustry #roblox #ikea #dystopia

In an innovative move blending the virtual and retail worlds, Ikea has launched a pioneering initiative within Roblox, offering virtual jobs in a metaverse-adjacent location. This marks a significant step for the UK, showcasing how traditional businesses can adapt to the evolving digital landscape. Roblox, a global platform that brings millions together through play, allows users to create and experience a multitude of immersive worlds. It's not just a game; it's a powerful game creation system that has revolutionized the way we think about gaming and community engagement. Ikea's venture into Roblox is more than just a game—it's a unique employment opportunity. It offers a glimpse into the future of work, where the lines between physical and digital spaces continue to blur. Ikea is one of the first companies in the UK to offer paid roles in a virtual environment, acknowledging the growing influence of the metaverse on our daily lives. This bold move by Ikea serves as an inspiration for other companies to explore the potential of virtual worlds. It's a testament to the versatility of platforms like Roblox and the endless possibilities they present. As we embrace these new frontiers, we're reminded that innovation is not just about technology, but also about the imaginative ways we can connect and collaborate. For those interested in the intersection of retail, technology, and virtual environments, Ikea's Roblox initiative is a fascinating development to follow. It's an exciting time for both gamers and professionals as we witness the unfolding of a new era in job creation and community engagement within the digital realm. #IKEA #Roblox #VirtualJobs #Metaverse #Innovation #FutureOfWork #DigitalCareers #TechTrends

65% of Generation Alpha will work in jobs that don’t exist today. This is a statistic I’ve been citing for over a year now as I find it fascinating. IKEA’s innovative move to offer $16 an hour for roles in its Roblox store is a perfect example of adapting to future trends. Launching June 24th, this marks the first instance of paid work in the Roblox metaverse, showcasing IKEA’s forward-thinking approach to career exploration and engagement: https://lnkd.in/ecfxm923 ⚡️Why This Matters:⚡️ 1. Metaverse is still a thing: IKEA’s Roblox store highlights how brands can leverage virtual platforms to connect with younger, tech-savvy audiences. 2. Innovative Recruitment: Simulating real-world job roles within a game provides a unique, interactive recruitment strategy. 3. Building Brand Love: Engaging users in a familiar environment fosters deeper brand loyalty and connection. 4. Future-Proofing: Preparing for a future where adaptability and digital literacy are key. I think it is a fun concept and I am curious to see how it works! What say you? #FutureOfWork #GenerationAlpha #Metaverse #DigitalInnovation #Marketinginnovation #IKEA #Roblox

IKEA UK’s marketing communications manager, Kemi Anthony, says: “To bring career progression at Ikea to life, it made sense to demonstrate the co-worker journey in a less traditional way, by ‘recruiting’ people to try it out for themselves at Ikea on Roblox.” 1️⃣ “Once Ikea on Roblox opens, they (and we) will be able to appreciate the employee experience in ways that we’ve never been able to do with traditional recruitment marketing.” 2️⃣ The virtual store will open on 24 June and the “immersive” experience will allow players to switch between departments while their avatars keep gaining experience, “reflecting Ikea’s flexible career progression”. 3️⃣ The campaign will be fully integrated across social media (from Instagram and TikTok to LinkedIn) as well as with in-store activities such as ‘pixellated furniture’ to encourage people to apply for the in-game roles. #roblox #ugcgaming #metaversemarketing #recruitment #recruitmentmarketing #careermarketing #ikearoblox

Ikea Pays You to Play in the Metaverse! Ikea is shaking things up with the world's first paid Roblox jobs! - The Co-Worker Game launches June 24th on Roblox. - 10 paid positions available to work in Ikea's virtual store. - Tasks include helping customers, decorating showrooms, & serving "meatballs." This is a game-changer for: - Retail & the Metaverse: Ikea joins Walmart & others exploring virtual experiences. - Gen Z & Alpha Engagement: Brands are reaching young consumers where they play. - Careers in the Metaverse: Ikea is pioneering new paid virtual work opportunities. Are You Ready to level up your CV in the metaverse? https://ow.ly/K3ES50SbHE2 #Ikea #Roblox #Metaverse #Gaming #Jobs #Retail #GenZ #FutureofWork

🚀 How is the metaverse shaping recruitment strategies? IKEA is pioneering a novel approach by using Roblox to attract young talent. Their ‘Careers Done Different’ campaign lets players virtually apply for real paid positions at an in-game IKEA store. This immersive experience is designed to introduce potential employees to IKEA's career opportunities in a fun, engaging way. At Immerzo, we see immense potential in these innovative methods. What other traditional practices do you think the metaverse can transform? #Metaverse #Gaming #Innovation #Recruitment #IKEA #Roblox #Immerzo

Who wants to get paid to serve meatballs...in Roblox? IKEA's latest venture takes us to the metaverse! The giant furniture retailer launches a virtual store in Roblox, offering paid roles in The Co-Worker Game. It allows players to experience IKEA careers firsthand, fulfilling virtual roles and climbing the (digital) ladder. IKEA’s entry into Roblox underscores the metaverse’s importance for brands. It sets a precedent for innovative engagement strategies in gaming platforms. This isn't just about furniture – it's about the future of work and brand engagement. What do you think?  Will virtual experiences like this become the norm? #IKEA #Roblox #Metaverse #FutureOfWork #Gaming #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gPFBE_-k

IKEA Just Took Hiring to Roblox 🤯 The furniture giant 🛋 is doing something totally wild - recruiting workers for their virtual IKEA store on Roblox! Think about it: They're literally hiring people to work in different sections like the Showroom and Bistro...on a gaming platform. You'll be serving up those iconic meatballs and helping folks pick out furniture, all from the comfort of your setup at home. And get this - it's a paid gig at £13.15/€14.80 per hour! 💰 (I did actually apply 😅) It sounds almost too crazy to be true, IKEA gets what their Gen Z audience is all about. With players spending 2.5 hours a day on average on Roblox, meeting them in their digital playgrounds is a genius move. 😯 But it's more than just a novelty stunt. IKEA could be using this virtual store as one big trial run for candidates before hiring IRL. No more awkward interviews - just hop in and prove your worth on the virtual floor? It also opens up so many possibilities like interactive training, virtual store orientations, and who knows...maybe even a way to test out building those 'I don't need the instructions' IKEA pieces before taking them home? Love it or hate it, you have to give IKEA props for their willingness to experiment and adapt. As physical and virtual worlds merge, pulling stunts like this could separate the brands that thrive from those left behind. Hiring on Roblox is a bold move, but hey - somebody always has to go first 🤷♂️