Applying for Specialist position- does an employee referral guarantee interview?

[Allard]

I was applying to an Apple Store in a suburban area and I decided to visit the store to research how an employee should behave. I asked one of the employees how much a referral means when it comes to considering potential interviewees and he said a lot, enough to guarantee anyone that's referred a chance to interview. Is this true?

I've since gotten a referral but no email that points to an interview. I applied a few weeks ago.

 

[famous600]

I was applying to an Apple Store in a suburban area and I decided to visit the store to research how an employee should behave. I asked one of the employees how much a referral means when it comes to considering potential interviewees and he said a lot, enough to guarantee anyone that's referred a chance to interview. Is this true?

I've since gotten a referral but no email that points to an interview. I applied a few weeks ago.

No.

 

[pdjudd]

I asked one of the employees how much a referral means when it comes to considering potential interviewees and he said a lot, enough to guarantee anyone that's referred a chance to interview. Is this true?

Unless he said "I guarantee you that you will get an interview" and he is in a position to back that statement up, no there is no such thing as a guarantee. It is entirely based on the decisions of the human resources or department in charge of hiring employees and even a manger hiring for the department.

If they don't like your resume, you just might never get an interview no matter what an employee says.

 

[farmkittie]

Maybe they're not hiring at the moment at that store?

I was applying to an Apple Store in a suburban area and I decided to visit the store to research how an employee should behave. I asked one of the employees how much a referral means when it comes to considering potential interviewees and he said a lot, enough to guarantee anyone that's referred a chance to interview. Is this true?

I've since gotten a referral but no email that points to an interview. I applied a few weeks ago.

Maybe they aren't hiring right now but still could contact you later?

 

[SpyderBite]

You'll be invited to a hiring event if you're resume is considered.

If you make an impression at the event, you will get an interview. If that interview goes well, you will go through 1-4 more interviews depending on the store, district and region.

 

[IndoX]

There is no HR department in retail stores and HR recruiters seem out managers not regular specialists. Depending on the store a referral guarantees a follow up phone call but not an interview.

Some stores are:
Follow up call > hiring event > interview process

Others skip hiring events (high volume stores) and go into the interview process.


Good luck.

 

[Allard]

Thanks all; turns out they haven't really hired anyone in a short while. Store has very low turnover- I guess I'll see if demand for workers increases in the week ahead of launch.

 

[Tfb]

I think it would be pretty hard for an employee to really know this. Possibly everyone whom he and his friends have referred have gotten interviews - but possibly they're pretty selective about referrals, you know?

Anyway, good luck!! And update please.