World’s Top Employers for New Grads

For an exclusive CNNMoney list, research firm Universum Global surveyed college students around the world to see where they most want to work.

24 of 50
IKEA
IKEA
Rank among business students: 24
Rank (engineering students): 36

Headquarters: Delft, Netherlands
No. of employees: 139,000

What makes it great: This iconic Swedish retailer is probably how you'll swing getting new furniture in your first apartment.

A commitment to low-cost, high-quality products has helped make IKEA the world's largest home furnishings store. Its vision: "to create a better everyday life for the many people."

Employees join a positive, entrepreneurial team, where they chart development goals with their manager and share ideas with colleagues at fika (Swedish coffee break).

What they're looking for: IKEA appreciates employees who are creative, eager to learn, and who share ideas on how to do things better.

It seeks new hires who can add to the company's core of "down-to-earth and straightforward people," says Ulrika Biesart, a talent manager.

The company's goal is to double sales by 2020, and it's looking for talent across departments, from purchasing to logistics to sustainability. Candidates should have an interest in home furnishings and relate to the company's values, says Biesart. --L.G.

Is IKEA a great place for new grads to work, or what?
Top MBA 100

Get the complete lineup of ideal employers for B-school students, in an exclusive CNNMoney.com list.

Think of it as a popularity contest for companies: Every year research firm Universum Global ranks the most desirable employers, based on where undergraduate students around the world say they'd most like to work after graduation. More

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