Too old to be an Apple Genius/Specialist?

[Chuchichan]

I will be 43 years old and I've primarily been doing IT support/service desk work in the financial industry for the past 15 years or so.

I have been working abroad and planning to move back to the States, but need to get a job after I return.

Do you think I am too old to be an Apple Genius and/or Specialist? Is Apple always looking to hire or are there certain times of the year when they do mass hiring? Should I contact a particular Apple Store or do they decide where you will work if they hire you?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

 

[davidinva]

Two Apple stores that I visit occasionaly have a couple of older (past 40, but kids to me) employees on the floor, but when I have used the genius bar, those employees were definitely younger. It would be a good idea for both Apple and part of their demographic (with money to spend), so give it a shot.

 

[GGJstudios]

I will be 43 years old and I've primarily been doing IT support/service desk work in the financial industry for the past 15 years or so.

I have been working abroad and planning to move back to the States, but need to get a job after I return.

Do you think I am too old to be an Apple Genius and/or Specialist? Is Apple always looking to hire or are there certain times of the year when they do mass hiring? Should I contact a particular Apple Store or do they decide where you will work if they hire you?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

Too old at 43? Not a chance! You're still a pup!

 

[Chuchichan]

I haven't been in an Apple Store in the States for a long time. Are the Geniuses/Specialists a wide range of ages?

Given my past experience in support (albeit mainly with PCs) what position should I go for? I don't mind starting working with customers, but perhaps I should be striving for a position with more responsibility?

 

[mobilehaathi]

Too old? No such thing.

Incidentally age discrimination is illegal in the US.

 

[kingtj]

re: age?

I've been a Mac user since 1999-2000 or so, and I distinctly remember that when I shopped Apple retail in the first couple years of its existence, quite a few of the employees were older (I'd say in their 40's to late 50's).

I'd say that was more the rule than the exception, even.

When the iPods became popular, and later the phones and tablets - it seemed like the hiring trended a lot younger. (I imagine that's partly because the younger generation really latched onto using smartphones, tablets and music players, as the 40 and 50-somethings lost some interest in supporting those things vs. the computers they were experts with and primarily interested in.)

I'm 43 myself, and I can't really see myself working at an Apple store anymore (although 10 years ago, I would definitely wanted the job). But I don't think I'm "too old" to do it at all. It's more the fact that I've worked in I.T. for long enough now that I doubt they'd pay as well, and would make me work less desirable hours too. (No weekends required for me doing corporate I.T. support.)

 

[Chuchichan]

I've been a Mac user since 1999-2000 or so, and I distinctly remember that when I shopped Apple retail in the first couple years of its existence, quite a few of the employees were older (I'd say in their 40's to late 50's).

I'd say that was more the rule than the exception, even.

When the iPods became popular, and later the phones and tablets - it seemed like the hiring trended a lot younger. (I imagine that's partly because the younger generation really latched onto using smartphones, tablets and music players, as the 40 and 50-somethings lost some interest in supporting those things vs. the computers they were experts with and primarily interested in.)

I'm 43 myself, and I can't really see myself working at an Apple store anymore (although 10 years ago, I would definitely wanted the job). But I don't think I'm "too old" to do it at all. It's more the fact that I've worked in I.T. for long enough now that I doubt they'd pay as well, and would make me work less desirable hours too. (No weekends required for me doing corporate I.T. support.)

I wouldn't be looking at it as a career, but I was basically wondering how competitive it is to get a job as well. Because I most likely won't be able to secure a job before I come over, I would like to know if this might be a possibility for me. I would definitely be interested in it because I am a believer in Mac.

My ultimate plan would be to get some Apple certifications before and while I'm there and then move on to hopefully get a position in the academic area (Educational Technologist)...What do you think of this plan?

 

[kingtj]

re: securing a job

That makes sense. Honestly though? I have no idea how difficult it might or might not be to secure a job working for Apple before coming over? In general, I've found that employers in the U.S. prefer you provide local contact information with your resume or application, and many require an in-person interview.

I got my current job while I lived in a different part of the country, but I knew people who already worked for them (one in management). Even then, they exhausted their list of local candidates before entertaining the idea of interviewing someone from outside the area. if I didn't have friends "on the inside", I'm sure I would have never even been aware the company was hiring for the position.

I think your long-term goals are good, though. While it's slowly changing? In America, it's still the educational sector that values Apple certifications more than anywhere else. Most corporations still prefer Windows-related or computer security related certifications, or alternately -- certifications and experience related to networking and switches/routers/etc.

I wouldn't be looking at it as a career, but I was basically wondering how competitive it is to get a job as well. Because I most likely won't be able to secure a job before I come over, I would like to know if this might be a possibility for me. I would definitely be interested in it because I am a believer in Mac.

My ultimate plan would be to get some Apple certifications before and while I'm there and then move on to hopefully get a position in the academic area (Educational Technologist)...What do you think of this plan?

 

[Chuchichan]

That makes sense. Honestly though? I have no idea how difficult it might or might not be to secure a job working for Apple before coming over? In general, I've found that employers in the U.S. prefer you provide local contact information with your resume or application, and many require an in-person interview.

I got my current job while I lived in a different part of the country, but I knew people who already worked for them (one in management). Even then, they exhausted their list of local candidates before entertaining the idea of interviewing someone from outside the area. if I didn't have friends "on the inside", I'm sure I would have never even been aware the company was hiring for the position.

I think your long-term goals are good, though. While it's slowly changing? In America, it's still the educational sector that values Apple certifications more than anywhere else. Most corporations still prefer Windows-related or computer security related certifications, or alternately -- certifications and experience related to networking and switches/routers/etc.

I wouldn't be expecting to secure a job really prior to going over, but I'm just basically wondering how competitive it is and whether I could even expect to get a job first as a Specialist.

I would apply once there, but don't want to just take it for granted that I'd be in.

I'm also wondering about the timing and how Apple hires for Specialists? Would I contact a particular store that I would like to work at and then they might invite me for an interview? Or is it more like at certain times of the year, Apple holds hiring events?

Thanks very much everyone for your replies everyone so far...

 

[Chuchichan]

Does anyone know the best way to begin the application process for an Apple Specialist role? Should I do it through Apple's website or contact a specific store directly?

 

[The Doctor11]

Too old? No such thing.

Incidentally age discrimination is illegal in the US.

Yeah I know all about that law. But it's a ton of ********. I'm age discriminated from being an Apple genius on the solo fact im under the age of 18.

 

[Ken Kaniff]

Yeah I know all about that law. But it's a ton of ********. I'm age discriminated from being an Apple genius on the solo fact im under the age of 18.

That's different. Child labor laws and all. Interesting though, as you can still get jobs other places. Maybe there's some other reason Apple won't hire you.. like the fact that you can't spell or use words properly. Just busting your balls man..

 

[Tsuchiya]

You're really not too old.

At all.

That being said, don't expect to just be offered a Genius position.

Most recruitment is done internally.