Ikea will pay you real money to work in its new virtual Roblox store and people are eager to sign up
We've got great news for fans of the video game Roblox, or people who just love virtual furniture… you can now apply for a job as an Ikea employee within the game.
Thankfully it won’t involve any heavy lifting - it’s actually fully remote, as the shop exists within the virtual game.
Roblox are advertizing the role that pays real money to play the game as a store clerk, selling Swedish meatballs and flatpack furniture digitally.
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The online game platform allows users to programme and play games created by themselves or other users, and this new game, known as 'The Co-Worker Game', will hire 10 lucky people to work in different sections within the store.
The opportunity offers around $16 an hour and offers roles everywhere from the furniture showroom and bistro, as well as giving players the chance to win exclusive Ikea UGCs (user-generated content).
The job advert promises the opportunity to ‘move departments, flex your skill and get promoted’ and successful candidates can ‘serve up endless amounts of meatballs or stop over at various showrooms and use famous Ikea products to organise the space’.
Fans of Roblox were bemused by the news on Reddit, with some users struggling to understand what the job role would involve.
One commenter wrote on the social media app: “I don’t understand this. What are the workers being paid to do? Sell virtual furniture?”
Others were more concerned with the fine print of a virtual employment contract, with someone asking: “Do you get fired for getting sick in Roblox, too?”
Other commenters were excited by the new prospect, with many saying, 'sign me up' and one keen potential applicant adding: "Wait I want a job where I can go to work in a virtual world and get paid."
Another person posted: "I don't think they're prepared for the amount of applications they'll get."
The virtual experience is set to open on June 24 and the job roles are now open for people to apply for, with the only catch being that you must be over 18 and not already working for Ikea in the real world.
Darren Taylor, Country People and Culture Manager at Ikea UK and Ireland, said: “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. At Ikea, there is no set route to career progression.
“Our co-workers are able to change roles, switch departments, and grow in any direction they choose, both in the game or in the real world. There are many ways to learn and grow at Ikea, and that’s what Ikea on Roblox is all about.”
If you fancy the cushy role, you better be quick as virtual interviews for shortlisted candidates will start taking place next week.