Apple is one of the most desired employers in the world. It’s been said getting a job at an Apple store is harder than getting into Harvard. If you want to work there, you might assume you need to be a total tech-expert, but that’s not true. Apple says it can teach you about technology. What they can’t teach you are the soft skills needed to represent the company well.
Online reviews reveal extensive details into what it takes to get hired.
Sites like Glassdoor offer job seekers access to anonymous reviews by people who have gone through the Apple interview process. Reading through them, you quickly see a pattern: Apple uses behavioral interviewing techniques and loves candidates who are comfortable telling stories and speaking up. In fact, one successful applicant summed it up best:
“Apple looks at how you talk more than what you know. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to a question, but don’t just say, “I don’t know.” Apple loves stories so let your inner J.K. Rowling out! All in all, be confident, smile a lot, don’t be nervous, and stay calm.”
Moreover, if you look for patterns in Apple’s behavioral interview questions, you’ll realize they look for three things they know they can’t teach employees. Apple intensely screens applicants to ensure they already have these important skill sets.
1. Displaying confidence.
Customers don’t buy things from people who lack confidence. If you can’t appear knowledgeable and confident on the job, Apple users may doubt what you’re saying.
2. Knowing how to talk to people.
Your job in an Apple store is to assist customers. If striking up a conversation with strangers doesn’t come easy to you, you likely won’t enjoy, or succeed in this job.
3. Being a nice person.
Maya Angelou said,
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Apple customers can feel intimidated by the technology. Store staff need to make customers feel capable and happy with their decision to invest in Apple technology.
P.S. If at first you don’t succeed…
One of the other major pieces of feedback in the hiring process reviews was you shouldn’t give up so easily. Many of the people who posted comments indicate it took several tries to land a job at their dream employer. If you want to work for Apple, you’ll need to have a gameplan and stick to it. Rejection means, “no, not today.” It doesn’t mean, “no, not ever,” unless you give up!