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Apple At-Home Advisor...
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My former roommate held this position and I can offer some realistic advice. The perks are discounts
, great benefit package, working from home, cool management and saying you work for apple.
First off, stop talking about the job online.Its a BIG no no with the company. Training is intense and participation is major. You will be tested on the material and quite a few do not make it through. Either they fail the tests or crack under the pressure and quit. Drink the kook-aid. Its a must.
The job is not easy. Its all about the numbers. You have to complete a call within a specific time frame and its not long. Around 13 minutes. Doesnt sound too bad until you got grandma on the line that barely knows how to turn on her computer and you have to walk her through something intense. Everything is how you can do better even when you are doing really well. This is a somewhat typical call center job. The only diff is you are at home. You have to sell applecare and a certain amount per month. What most customers do not realize is that it is a paid support line. It can be a pretty tough sell when you got a customer that is already going off about how much they paid for such and such and now they have to pay for support. You have to get high surveys. Some customers fill out surveys because they are pissed at Apple and not you. Some dont fill them out at all and its your fault. Doesn't matter, it hurts your numbers. You dont meet the numbers then there is talk of write ups and termination.
Make sure your internet connection is up to snuff. If you are having problems on your end, its not good. Sometimes their own glitches are blamed on you. I remember when our power went out after a tropical storm. My roommate was losing his mind freaking out he was going to get fired. The first day they are cool about it, second day not so much. You will work every Christmas. Its mandatory. My roommate didnt mind because he hated his family and it was a good excuse not to go home. For others, its a real bummer. Hours are wacky and the only way of getting out of them is doing a swap with another advisor.
Be a self learner. Training is more about talking to the customer than it is about trouble shooting. If you think they are going to teach you everything you know. Forget it. The discount is offered for a reason. They want you to buy stuff so you learn. You will be thrown on the phone before you are ready. That is usually when a new wave of people quit. There is a high turn over rate. Lots of competition among advisors. He did move up rather quickly but he had a degree in computers. He said most of the people he worked with that struggled weren't tech savvy. They were hired because of their personality. You need both to make it.
I wish you all luck. It can be a dream job or a nightmare depending on perspective.
Thanks for the info. I was told by the retail genius that the job can be what you make of it. To me this isn't a fantasy but a job to pay the bills. It just do happens go be one that I've done before and enjoy the products. Everything you mentioned is just how the game goes. I've done this type of thing before so none of that bothers me. Seems more negative than insightful but that's just my opinion. Everybody will figure out everything once they're in. But I do thank you still.
My former roommate held this position and I can offer some realistic advice. The perks are discounts, great benefit package, working from home, cool management and saying you work for apple.
First off, stop talking about the job online.
The job is not easy. Its all about the numbers. You have to complete a call within a specific time frame and its not long. Around 13 minutes. Doesnt sound too bad until you got grandma on the line that barely knows how to turn on her computer and you have to walk her through something intense. Everything is how you can do better even when you are doing really well. This is a somewhat typical call center job. The only diff is you are at home. You have to sell applecare and a certain amount per month. What most customers do not realize is that it is a paid support line. It can be a pretty tough sell when you got a customer that is already going off about how much they paid for such and such and now they have to pay for support. You have to get high surveys. Some customers fill out surveys because they are pissed at Apple and not you. Some dont fill them out at all and its your fault. Doesn't matter, it hurts your numbers. You dont meet the numbers then there is talk of write ups and termination.
Make sure your internet connection is up to snuff. If you are having problems on your end, its not good. Sometimes their own glitches are blamed on you. I remember when our power went out after a tropical storm. My roommate was losing his mind freaking out he was going to get fired. The first day they are cool about it, second day not so much. You will work every Christmas. Its mandatory. My roommate didnt mind because he hated his family and it was a good excuse not to go home. For others, its a real bummer. Hours are wacky and the only way of getting out of them is doing a swap with another advisor.
Be a self learner. Training is more about talking to the customer than it is about trouble shooting. If you think they are going to teach you everything you know. Forget it. The discount is offered for a reason. They want you to buy stuff so you learn. You will be thrown on the phone before you are ready. That is usually when a new wave of people quit. There is a high turn over rate. Lots of competition among advisors. He did move up rather quickly but he had a degree in computers. He said most of the people he worked with that struggled weren't tech savvy. They were hired because of their personality. You need both to make it.
I wish you all luck. It can be a dream job or a nightmare depending on perspective.
Thank you for the insight. Having worked from home before with other call center like jobs, nothing you are saying is a surprise to me, but anyone else who has not had the experience will benefit. Every call center has metrics to meet and most use csats(customer satisfaction) as a major measurement. It averages out. You'll get bad ones. You'll get good ones. Do your job and the majority should be good. The AHT (average handle time) is also a biggie. Yes, you'll get Grandma that you have to talk to for an hour, but you'll also get Geekguy that just wants to know when you'll release his life and ship his Mac back to him. So it averages out. As long as you're not the hold up on every call, AHT shouldn't be a problem. You work from home- expect power outages and I cant believe the company doesn't expect them too. However, if you have a power outage every month(or that was the excuse you used when you called out last time) don't expect it to fly for long. Again all call center jobs have these expectations. The only difference for me is that Apple is paying me twice what those other companies were paying with benefits.
I agree expect to not learn everything in training and to have to do some research on your own. My experience with online classes is that the majority of the time is spent with HR and technical issues that a few slow learners have.
So yeah, drunk the Kook-aid and it's tasty.
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Nice deal! You have inspired me to check Craigslist more often.
My former roommate held this position and I can offer some realistic advice. The perks are discounts, great benefit package, working from home, cool management and saying you work for apple.
First off, stop talking about the job online.
The job is not easy. Its all about the numbers. You have to complete a call within a specific time frame and its not long. Around 13 minutes. Doesnt sound too bad until you got grandma on the line that barely knows how to turn on her computer and you have to walk her through something intense. Everything is how you can do better even when you are doing really well. This is a somewhat typical call center job. The only diff is you are at home. You have to sell applecare and a certain amount per month. What most customers do not realize is that it is a paid support line. It can be a pretty tough sell when you got a customer that is already going off about how much they paid for such and such and now they have to pay for support. You have to get high surveys. Some customers fill out surveys because they are pissed at Apple and not you. Some dont fill them out at all and its your fault. Doesn't matter, it hurts your numbers. You dont meet the numbers then there is talk of write ups and termination.
Make sure your internet connection is up to snuff. If you are having problems on your end, its not good. Sometimes their own glitches are blamed on you. I remember when our power went out after a tropical storm. My roommate was losing his mind freaking out he was going to get fired. The first day they are cool about it, second day not so much. You will work every Christmas. Its mandatory. My roommate didnt mind because he hated his family and it was a good excuse not to go home. For others, its a real bummer. Hours are wacky and the only way of getting out of them is doing a swap with another advisor.
Be a self learner. Training is more about talking to the customer than it is about trouble shooting. If you think they are going to teach you everything you know. Forget it. The discount is offered for a reason. They want you to buy stuff so you learn. You will be thrown on the phone before you are ready. That is usually when a new wave of people quit. There is a high turn over rate. Lots of competition among advisors. He did move up rather quickly but he had a degree in computers. He said most of the people he worked with that struggled weren't tech savvy. They were hired because of their personality. You need both to make it.
I wish you all luck. It can be a dream job or a nightmare depending on perspective.
Thanks, that's one of the most informative posts I've seen in this thread.
As a side note: Good luck to everyone that's starting today!
Thanks for the great info What is "kook-aid?"
What is "kook-aid?"My former roommate held this position and I can offer some realistic advice. The perks are discounts, great benefit package, working from home, cool management and saying you work for apple.
First off, stop talking about the job online.
The job is not easy. Its all about the numbers. You have to complete a call within a specific time frame and its not long. Around 13 minutes. Doesnt sound too bad until you got grandma on the line that barely knows how to turn on her computer and you have to walk her through something intense. Everything is how you can do better even when you are doing really well. This is a somewhat typical call center job. The only diff is you are at home. You have to sell applecare and a certain amount per month. What most customers do not realize is that it is a paid support line. It can be a pretty tough sell when you got a customer that is already going off about how much they paid for such and such and now they have to pay for support. You have to get high surveys. Some customers fill out surveys because they are pissed at Apple and not you. Some dont fill them out at all and its your fault. Doesn't matter, it hurts your numbers. You dont meet the numbers then there is talk of write ups and termination.
Make sure your internet connection is up to snuff. If you are having problems on your end, its not good. Sometimes their own glitches are blamed on you. I remember when our power went out after a tropical storm. My roommate was losing his mind freaking out he was going to get fired. The first day they are cool about it, second day not so much. You will work every Christmas. Its mandatory. My roommate didnt mind because he hated his family and it was a good excuse not to go home. For others, its a real bummer. Hours are wacky and the only way of getting out of them is doing a swap with another advisor.
Be a self learner. Training is more about talking to the customer than it is about trouble shooting. If you think they are going to teach you everything you know. Forget it. The discount is offered for a reason. They want you to buy stuff so you learn. You will be thrown on the phone before you are ready. That is usually when a new wave of people quit. There is a high turn over rate. Lots of competition among advisors. He did move up rather quickly but he had a degree in computers. He said most of the people he worked with that struggled weren't tech savvy. They were hired because of their personality. You need both to make it.
I wish you all luck. It can be a dream job or a nightmare depending on perspective.
Background checks via HireRight
Insideus (and other posters), How long did it take HireRight to complete your background check?
(I apologize for digression for I'm sure some included this detail in your previous posts re hiring timeline experiences. However, I thought it may be easier to pose a direct inquiry with hopes of re-postings than research all applicable/inapplicable timeline entries).
Insideus (and other posters), How long did it take HireRight to complete your background check?
(I apologize for digression for I'm sure some included this detail in your previous posts re hiring timeline experiences. However, I thought it may be easier to pose a direct inquiry with hopes of re-postings than research all applicable/inapplicable timeline entries).
Thanks for the great info
Kook-aid is referring to "drinking the kool-aid" or becoming a believer i.e. joining the cult. Refers to flavor-aid that Jim Jones used in the 70's mass suicide of his cult.
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I had been looking for an L-shaped desk so I could just have one desk for the iMac and my personal PC, but someone said that L shaped desks were "not approved".
So now I'm waiting to get the Ergo info direct from the horse before I spend money.I had my second FaceTime interview Wedneaday. She told me I was being advanced to the hiring manager for final interview and I would get email with the invite. It's now
Monday afternoon and still no email. I have emailed the recruiter and no response yet. I'm worried I was forgotten somehow. Did anyone else wait many days before getting email to schedule interview?
Monday afternoon and still no email. I have emailed the recruiter and no response yet. I'm worried I was forgotten somehow. Did anyone else wait many days before getting email to schedule interview?
Kook-aid is referring to "drinking the kool-aid" or becoming a believer i.e. joining the cult. Refers to flavor-aid that Jim Jones used in the 70's mass suicide of his cult.
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I had been looking for an L-shaped desk so I could just have one desk for the iMac and my personal PC, but someone said that L shaped desks were "not approved".
I need the L-shape anyway. I thought it was the corner desk that was a no-no
macrumors newbie
When is your start date? Did you talk to the blonde? I had an phone interview Friday afternoon, FaceTime interview this morning. She said she was sending me to the hiring manager and that interview would be next week. In the meantime Im about to come out of my skin. Yea, I know its only a job my hello, Ive been looking for almost 3 months and nothings beating down the door! So, to the other gentleman please dont be a sad sack and ruin it for all of the rest who want or need to make this a good thing!
When is your start date? Did you talk to the blonde? I had an phone interview Friday afternoon, FaceTime interview this morning. She said she was sending me to the hiring manager and that interview would be next week. In the meantime Im about to come out of my skin. Yea, I know its only a job my hello, Ive been looking for almost 3 months and nothings beating down the door! So, to the other gentleman please dont be a sad sack and ruin it for all of the rest who want or need to make this a good thing!
My start date is 10/29. My circumstances are a little different than everyone on this board and I think Ive read them all. Im an Apple Certified Tech and Ive been repairing them for a number of years. I love em inside and out. LOL. I was actually awake until after 3am stressing about that interview and I dont know why! I guess Ill be this way for another 2 weeks. But the perks will be worth it!
From what I have read if you get past the 1st FaceTime interview you are pretty much set to go. Then the background check.
Once you do your orientation I believe you have to sign a privacy agreement and then everyone that was on here drops off the earth. Its quite entertaining reading the 60 pages of post at 3 am. LOL
I guess Ill be this way for another 2 weeks. But the perks will be worth it!From what I have read if you get past the 1st FaceTime interview you are pretty much set to go. Then the background check.
Once you do your orientation I believe you have to sign a privacy agreement and then everyone that was on here drops off the earth. Its quite entertaining reading the 60 pages of post at 3 am. LOL
[/COLOR]If I make it past hiring manager my start date will be 10/22[/QUOTE]
WHEN you make it past the hiring manager!
WHEN you make it past the hiring manager!
I've heard from other AHA that are actively working that once one gets to hiring manager it's pretty much a done deal unless that background check doesn't pan out
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WHEN you make it past the hiring manager![/QUOTE]
Lol. Thanks friend for that
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WHEN you make it past the hiring manager![/QUOTE]
Lol. Thanks friend for that
Well............... my interview with the hiring manager is tomorrow and I'm praying I do well. I haven't started getting nervous yet but I'm sure I will. The phone interview and the face-to-face interviews I had have set the precedent and I hope the one tomorrow falls in line with them.
WHEN you make it past the hiring manager![/QUOTE]
Thanks for that! Are you gonna be a sad sack also?
Be happy.....drink that freakin 
Kool-Aid and get over it!I have seen nothing from the other posters that give an indication of a nightmare interview from the hiring manager. Just good stuff. Just keep a smile on your face and know that it transfers across the phone. Be pleasant but be yourself. You will do fine! Im still elated from my interview and havent been able to move from the chair! LOL
I'm so excited. I know I can do this job and do it well I love Apple and love helping people with their apple devices. I would be honored to show Apple how great my customer service is
I love Apple and love helping people with their apple devices. I would be honored to show Apple how great my customer service is Me to. Ive worked with customers on other manufacturers stuff and is by far the most awesome. Open one sometime. A Mac is full but competitors have big empty cases. LOL. I know what you are saying. I feel like I have the technology, the attitude, the personality, and the desire to do well. Feel like the six million dollar man......we'll make him better, stronger, and faster. LOL
is by far the most awesome. Open one sometime. A Mac is full but competitors have big empty cases. LOL. I know what you are saying. I feel like I have the technology, the attitude, the personality, and the desire to do well. Feel like the six million dollar man......we'll make him better, stronger, and faster. LOLMe to. Ive worked with customers on other manufacturers stuff and
I was technician for a large cell phone company. I'm ready to now make a career with Apple
When do we get access to the myPage? I've seen lots of people talking about it, but I haven't received any information from Apple about it. I just got done with my paper work session last week and I start training 9/24. Do we get it when we start into training?
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