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How to prepare for a Genius exam @ an Apple retail store?

The Genius exam isn't necessarily that hard.

A lot of it is actually common sense... I had a Genius exam on my 2nd interview with Apple. The exam itself, if you can even call it that, was a pre-printed form, about 4 pages. They just randomly picked questions that are multiple choices and I filled them out. Nothing too hard, however... one of the questions they actually got wrong themselves (This was an interview with a manager & a lead Genius).
 
belvdr said:
How did you learn Unix? Buy a SuperDome and a SAN to learn? You likely learned it on the job.
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Uh ? Did you really just ask that question on a Mac forum ? Unix doesn't just run on Superdomes. We don't even have a single superdome here, heck we even partition off some of our Integrity series into nPars.

I knew Unix way before I touched high-end Unix hardware.

Kinda like a guy applying for a Genius position should have some basic knowledge of how a computer works before getting Apple to teach him specifically how their computers work. "What's a logic board ?" is not something that should come out the mouth of the guy you hire for a Genius position.
 
KnightWRX said:
Uh ? Did you really just ask that question on a Mac forum ? Unix doesn't just run on Superdomes. We don't even have a single superdome here, heck we even partition off some of our Integrity series into nPars.

I knew Unix way before I touched high-end Unix hardware.
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You don't learn HP-UX by running OS X. Sure, some commands and utilities are similar (vi, grep, find, all the basic goodies), but you're not going to learn ioscan, lanscan, and other specifics on OS X. So you didn't fully know HP-UX.
 
belvdr said:
You don't learn HP-UX by running OS X. Sure, some commands and utilities are similar (vi, grep, find, all the basic goodies), but you're not going to learn ioscan, lanscan, and other specifics on OS X. So you didn't fully know HP-UX.
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And you don't know Unix if all you know is ioscan, lanscan (btw, that's outdated since 11.31, it's nwmgr now). If you hire a guy with 2 years of HP-UX as his only experience over a guy with over 10 years of AIX, I feel sorry for your company. The guy with 10 years AIX would probably be a much safer bet.

These "vendor" utilities change, get deprecated, get replaced, get updated all the time. ioscan required a few man page readings in 11.31 since they added the persistent device special files vs the legacy device special files. Same for the switch from lanscan to nwmgr.

What doesn't change is basics. If you know Unix basics, you can figure out the rest of the particulars between AIX, Solaris, the BSDs, Linux or HP-UX. I learned the Basics on Linux and Solaris at home and when I finally started doing this stuff professionally, I knew what an interface was, I knew about ifconfig, I knew POSIX stuff, I knew about CC, LD and how they relate to GNU's stuff. I knew Shell scripting, I knew about Cron (be it HP's proprietary version of Paul Vixie's), I knew about runlevels and init (which incidently, Solaris 10 made obsolete with services and milestones, so much for all that Solaris 9 experience!)

The hardware/vendor stuff ? I pick up as they throw/change Unix platforms under me. Kernel parameters ? Kernel modules ? So what if one uses modprobe and the other uses kctune. Kernel rebuilds ? Same difference.

Only commands and options change, the basics of how you administer Unix boxes pretty much are the same for any of the flavors.

This is the same for a Genius position. No one asks you to know about defaults write and all the hidden options by heart. But at least remember that user preferences are under ~/Library/ while system wide are under /Library/, know what Bonjour is, how it relates to file shares and printers and other network services, know what target disk mode if not the specifics of using it, know how to boot from CD, from Firewire disk, etc..

Hence if you don't know even the basics (that Terminal thing, what's a logic board ?), you're not an asset, you're a problem. That's why they have a test. If they didn't care and we're going to spoon feed you all the info, there would be no test.
 
But surely the idea is that you become an asset. I think if he genuinely wants to learn, and wants to do his job and will take it seriously I think he would be an asset. Sure he would be a hassle at first, but after a while if he cares about the job he will become an asset.
 
Good customer service skills are paramount.

Even if you know how to design the next Mac, you will never be an Apple Genius if you cannot handle a customer in a professional manner.

When the stores first opened, hiring was focused on people with a lot of Mac expertise and less in the way of social skills. Apple soon discovered, to their dismay, that many of these people were not meant to deal with the public and they were phased out. You'll likely find them posting in the MR forums today; they are not too difficult to spot. Just think Nick Burns.

Don't worry so much about the technical. If you get the job, they will likely send you to the Mothership for two weeks of intensive training. If you have a background in real world computer troubleshooting (not just at home), you should be fine.
 
linux2mac said:
You mean like a few posts above?
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Keep attacking posters instead of arguments. :rolleyes:

I did work front facing helpdesk before getting into my current position as a sysadmin. I know it's not for me, but I was always curteous and nice to customers.

The fact is, this works for sales/customer service. For technical positions, you need both in a person. A genius or a level 1 helpdesk monkey or whatever needs to have some basics down on top of being able to deal with customers.
 
I think you will be fine.

From what I've gleaned from your prior experience, I think you should do fine. Don't be pessimistic about your chances getting the Genius position.
 
I Agree - You will Be Fine

I agree with MacNewsFix. Please do not take the negative comments of some "self proclaimed know it all" seriously. Never let anyone tell you that you are not cut out for anything. Most people that have told me that in life were just jealous of my success and insecure about their shortcomings.

Being a new Mac convert I have not had an opportunity to work with an Apple Genius because my Macs "just work" unlike my former crappy PC's. But if I did go see a Genius, I would want to talk to someone that has a personality instead of some nerd robot that tries to impress me with the ins and outs of Unix and all kinds of technical jargon.

So stay the course!
 
Ok, now that you guys are done comforting him, maybe you want to actually answer his question ? He never asked if he was fine or not, he asked how to prepare for the test. Now remember, he doesn't know what a Logic board is.

So if you think he's going to be so fine, why don't you answer his question ? :rolleyes:
 
linux2mac said:
Hey MacNewsFix,

Can I borrow your fly swatter?
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Let me give you a hand friend.

User CP -> Buddy / Ignore Lists -> Ignore List ->*Type in "KnightWRX" in Add user to ignore list".

All that's left is to click Save List.

Hey maybe if you were fine for a genius spot you'd know. :rolleyes:
 
KnightWRX said:
He never asked if he was fine or not, he asked how to prepare for the test. Now remember, he doesn't know what a Logic board is.
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Hey man, I get it. I'm as retarded as the aspiring mechanic who doesn't know what an engine does. You can keep trolling me if you want, I really don't mind. At least try to stay on topic or contribute to the thread. I'm guessing that shouldn't be too hard.
 
Here's a tip, the Genius exam isn't solely about Macs. It will include other Apple products, such as iPod Shuffle.

So familiarize yourself with the general capabilities of other Apple products.

Also, the Genius position is supposedly fairly high stress and pressure. They only get roughly 15 minutes per appointment. One of the managers I interviewed with said that they have a high rate of quitting with externally hired Geniuses versus internally promoted ones.
 
Lyshen said:
Here's a tip, the Genius exam isn't solely about Macs. It will include other Apple products, such as iPod Shuffle.

So familiarize yourself with the general capabilities of other Apple products.

Also, the Genius position is supposedly fairly high stress and pressure. They only get roughly 15 minutes per appointment. One of the managers I interviewed with said that they have a high rate of quitting with externally hired Geniuses versus internally promoted ones.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that information, Lyshen.
 
steamed.hams said:
Well I've got a Masters in Chemistry, so I'm not a complete dumbass! I've been looking in my field for over 4 months, and I have had no luck.
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Nobody said that you are a dumbass, but you do not have sufficient knowledge about (Apple) computers to work as a technician, thus you're obviously looking in the wrong direction.

And what are four months (in this economy) anyway? Maybe you should also look for jobs in a foreign country - one with a better job market.
 
Nowhere in the job requirements for the Apple Genius position does it state the need to know Unix or have a background of eating, sleeping and breathing Macs. The focus is a natural affinity for problem solving and analysis (check), history of working with computers and dealing with problems that often arise (check), plus top drawer people skills (let's give you the benefit of the doubt that's check).

I have yet to meet an Apple Genius that comes from a full-time computer support background. None even have had a Computer Science background. Mainly they've been musicians and photographers. In contrast, you also have an advanced degree in a highly technical field that requires the use of highly specialized computer software and sometimes hardware.

If you have 4 years of true troubleshooting background in computers as you say, you have enough. I would just focus on troubleshooting basics in the books you've acquired; that is mainly what Apple is concerned about as far as familiarity. Apple also has some proprietary connectors (Mini DisplayPort) with which you may wish to familiarize. Nobody is expecting you to be able to seat a logic board while the customer waits. :p Besides, Apple will train you how to handle the inside of their computers. Again, knowing how to handle a customer wigging out because their Mac is on the fritz (and you will see these types of customers) without losing your own **** is just as important as being acquainted with Macs.

As for the sad sacks above who are doing nothing but discouraging you, ignore them. They're just pissed because they never got a phone call back after the first interview. It's not hard to understand why Apple does not want them as their ambassadors to "restore positive customer relationships."
 
My experience with geniuses is that they honestly don't know very much.

Apple puts you in the classes and essentially hands you the necessary certifications. This has been evident while trying to find suitable helpdesk staff. Many of the "geniuses" do quite poorly on the technical exam we give.

From what I gather, Apple does not want knowledgable people. They want people that are moldable into what they want them to be.

Go for the job, but I will tell you that I would never hire you after being a "genius" at Apple. Don't expect career advancement in IT from this job.

Some of the other posters are right, it is about customer service. If you have that piece and as little knowledge as you, you will be fine.
 
belvdr, stranger_danger, AnimaLeo, MacNewsFix, linux2mac - thank you guys for telling me to go for it.

And to all the people telling me that the job is out of my reach - thank you, too, for your feedback.


calderone said:
My experience with geniuses is that they honestly don't know very much...if you have that piece and as little knowledge as you, you will be fine.
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score!
 
steamed.hams said:
belvdr, stranger_danger, AnimaLeo, MacNewsFix, linux2mac - thank you guys for telling me to go for it.

And to all the people telling me that the job is out of my reach - thank you, too, for your feedback.

score!
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Hope you didn't take that as a diss. But, please take my advice. Don't go this route if you plan to make a career in IT.
 
calderone said:
Hope you didn't take that as a diss. But, please take my advice. Don't go this route if you plan to make a career in IT.
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Not at all, man. I'm not insulted. I have no interest in IT as a career, although I do think it's a pretty cool field to be in right now.

But I have to ask, why does being a Genius impede one's career in IT?
 
steamed.hams said:
Not at all, man. I'm not insulted. I have no interest in IT as a career, although I do think it's a pretty cool field to be in right now.

But I have to ask, why does being a Genius impede one's career in IT?
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Well, first of all, you are called a "Genius." I am good at what I do, but I could not imagine calling myself a genius let alone having that title.

Second, as I said above. Apple doesn't want knowledgable people. They want people that they can shape. Nearly every "genius" I have interviewed lack basic technical skills despite being showered with Apple certifications because they sat through a class.

That is the real problem, I haven't met anyone that takes an Apple "genius" seriously. Even if I had worked there, I would never put it on my resume.

A lot of it rests in the inherent elitism of the title, genius, but in my experience and from others I have talked to in IT the title just doesn't fit. I have no doubt there are talented people stuck at an Apple Store, but after pouring through countless "Genuis" resumes and interviewing some, if I see one now I just pass it over (unless they have some real experience).
 
You do know Calderon that you can manipulate your resume to change titles around a bit. My current title at my job wouldn't make sense to anyone but my job. It sounds like I'm some kind of low-level helpdesk monkey, yet I'm a Systems Administrator. My previous position actually sounds a lot higher level. On my resume for external jobs, It's going to be written "Systems Administrator".

So a Genius is not obligated to write "Genius". He could, you know, write "Technical product specialist" or "Technical support specialist" and if someone asked "Is that the Genius position at those stores ?" in an interview, you could just say you found the title boastful and that you didn't think it properly describe the job you were doing.

And you can't say all geniuses at Apple retail don't know crap. I've seen some pretty good ones and I've seen some pretty bad ones. This is just how life works and I've seen the same everywhere I worked. Some people just manage to cheat/lie/kiss ass to get into jobs they are not competent in.
 
calderone said:
A lot of it rests in the inherent elitism of the title, genius, but in my experience and from others I have talked to in IT the title just doesn't fit. I have no doubt there are talented people stuck at an Apple Store, but after pouring through countless "Genuis" resumes and interviewing some, if I see one now I just pass it over (unless they have some real experience).
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interesting! thanks for sharing
 
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