Pros
Excellent culture and values. Strong brand identity. Great benefits and compensation. Fast paced environment. You will never be bored. Great work-life balance. Great people. If you are a genuine, hardworking and passionate person, I highly recommend working at IKEA. IKEA is a company that genuinely wants to do the right thing for people and the planet. If you want a job where you do the bear minimum, clock-in and clock-out and collect a check, look elsewhere. As a department manager, if you expect to spend most of your time in the office and not leading from the floor, look elsewhere.
Cons
Not all of these are cons, but some cautionary advise. Everyone has so much to do that it is impossible for them to do everything, as a leader, if you are not able to prioritize, you will not succeed. You will probably feel like you are not given enough resources to accomplish your tasks. There is a steep learning curve for those who are hired from external companies as leaders, be prepared to work long and hard while you get your bearings. You will not be good at your job for longer than you think. Be patient. Win the hearts and minds of as many people in the building as you can, you will need them one day. It can be slow to get things done. All changes require input from many partners/specialists in the store and there are non-negotiable guidelines for the ways of working; your autonomy is limited. At times, this can also feel limiting if you have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Big organizational changes happen from the service office level from time to time and without warning. Though it is never explicitly stated, it feels as though internal restructuring is becoming a more routine practice for IKEA in order to stay competitive in the modern retail landscape.