Trying to get a job...

[SongtotheKing]

I am not sure if this is the right place to be putting this but i dont see why not...

I am trying to get a job at Apple. I want to work in one of their retail stores as a specialist (for now... and work my way up the ladder.)
I have a lot of passion for Apple and i LOVE talking to people about Apple (hence, my account here on the forum.)

I have applied and even stopped into the store a few times since (about a week and a half ago) to follow up and see how things are coming along. They said that they do a "hiring events". Whereas they bring in applicants every 6 weeks or so and introduce them to Apple. They will try to get to know u during this time and if they like u then they will ask u back for a one on one interview... after that, if they like u still, they will ask u back for another one on one interview (this one determining if u will get the job).

The manager i talked to on Saturday said she would make sure the hiring manager knows i was here (for the third time) and also make sure that i get invited to the next event.

Now i have come to understand that they tend to want people who are enthusiastic about Apple rather than people who know retail. You can teach retail but u cant teach passion...
I have more passion about Apple than anyone that i know, personally. I watch the keynotes all the time (just cause i enjoy them) and i am CONSTANTLY talking to people about the possibilities of Apple.

Is there anything else i should know or should be doing that would help ensure my employment?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Nothing can help your employment but what can kill it is showing up three times in 10 days to tell them you've applied. That is annoying and wasteful of their time.

I would sit tight and wait for the next hiring event. You are no more passionate than the last kid coming here wanting to work for Apple, trust me.

It would also behoove you to put a lid on your passion for Apple being so great that you signed up for a message board as the NDA you'll sign will prohibit you from coming here. Best to understand these things before you prance in telling them how awesome you are because you know everything about Apple.

 

[instaxgirl]

Now i have come to understand that they tend to want people who are enthusiastic about Apple rather than people who know retail. You can teach retail but u cant teach passion...

Oh, there's plenty of people you can't teach retail to. And the people that can do retail, can also often fake passion. Well, enough to chat about the product with 95% of customers.

Nothing can help your employment but what can kill it is showing up three times in 10 days to tell them you've applied. That is annoying and wasteful of their time.

Yeah, I don't want to bum you out but it's probably a bit full on as well. I got some guy come into the store I was working at over Christmas who gave me his CV as well as a 5 minute chat about how much he loved the chain and how it was his dream job. Far too intense. He also completely failed to get the hint that I was busy and didn't have time to say more than "thanks, I'll go stick this in the office"

 

[yg17]

I am not sure if this is the right place to be putting this but i dont see why not...

I am trying to get a job at Apple. I want to work in one of their retail stores as a specialist (for now... and work my way up the ladder.)
I have a lot of passion for Apple and i LOVE talking to people about Apple (hence, my account here on the forum.)

I have applied and even stopped into the store a few times since (about a week and a half ago) to follow up and see how things are coming along. They said that they do a "hiring events". Whereas they bring in applicants every 6 weeks or so and introduce them to Apple. They will try to get to know u during this time and if they like u then they will ask u back for a one on one interview... after that, if they like u still, they will ask u back for another one on one interview (this one determining if u will get the job).

The manager i talked to on Saturday said she would make sure the hiring manager knows i was here (for the third time) and also make sure that i get invited to the next event.

Now i have come to understand that they tend to want people who are enthusiastic about Apple rather than people who know retail. You can teach retail but u cant teach passion...
I have more passion about Apple than anyone that i know, personally. I watch the keynotes all the time (just cause i enjoy them) and i am CONSTANTLY talking to people about the possibilities of Apple.

Is there anything else i should know or should be doing that would help ensure my employment?

I sure hope when you filled out the application, you took the time to correctly capitalize letters and spell out "you"

 

[SongtotheKing]

I sure hope when you filled out the application, you took the time to correctly capitalize letters and spell out "you"

yes i did.

 

[SongtotheKing]

Nothing can help your employment but what can kill it is showing up three times in 10 days to tell them you've applied. That is annoying and wasteful of their time.

Thats not what i was told. Both my father (who has been in many corporate and business hiring situation) and a father of a friend (who's job used to be hiring people) Told me that persistence is key. Dont overwhelm them but if management sees that you are persistent, it can only help.

 

[Creative One]

Thats not what i was told. Both my father (who has been in many corporate and business hiring situation) and a father of a friend (who's job used to be hiring people) Told me that persistence is key. Dont overwhelm them but if management sees that you are persistent, it can only help.

3 in ten days IS OVERWHELMING.

 

[SongtotheKing]

3 in ten days IS OVERWHELMING.

Not necessarily. I only spoke to the hiring manager once. The second time, i spoke to an employee just to get some info. The third time a talked to a manager (not the hiring one) and she guaranteed me an invitation to their next event.

And toward the other comment. I know that Apple employees are not supposed to post. But im not an employee right now. So i am going to use these forums as much as i can until i can get a job there.

 

[instaxgirl]

On the overwhelming thing, my main focus if I was trying to work at Apple would be trying to strike the balance between "I know and like your brand" and "zomg Apple forever <3"

For me turning up over and over again would be going too much towards the Apple crazy side. I would've been chuffed that I'd got the hiring manager first time round and not gone back.

 

[SongtotheKing]

On the overwhelming thing, my main focus if I was trying to work at Apple would be trying to strike the balance between "I know and like your brand" and "zomg Apple forever <3"

For me turning up over and over again would be going too much towards the Apple crazy side. I would've been chuffed that I'd got the hiring manager first time round and not gone back.

That is understandable. The second 2 times were really to get information. I wanted to know how their hiring process worked. I thought it would be good if i went it to ask them personally.

And yes, i understand about seeming too Apple crazy. My method is trying to personify a passion (not necessarily for the company) but for the things that they are doing, ie revolutionizing the way we do our every day business.

Is there anyone that used to work for Apple that can shed some light on the situation?

 

[roadbloc]

I wish you luck kid. But don't get your hopes up.

 

[chrono1081]

Thats not what i was told. Both my father (who has been in many corporate and business hiring situation) and a father of a friend (who's job used to be hiring people) Told me that persistence is key. Dont overwhelm them but if management sees that you are persistent, it can only help.

+1

I've taken a second look at many applications because the applicant called in and asked if any decision was made. Many times this landed the person an interview and a position.

My Mom actually got her current position because she called once every 2 - 3 weeks until they gave her an interview. 20+ years later she's still with the company and quite high on the food chain.

 

[GeneKam]

Apple interviews are a joke, the first interview is you going in to a room full of applicants about 12 max on average. Then one store manager and a couple of people from the store go through what apple is, blah blah blah, harder to get a job then getting into Standford crap blah blah blah.

The key is act ask gay as possible and be as dushe as possible on top of that to get a job. If you act like a normal person, you WILL fail. I am actually serious, the first time i was normal and answering question professionally and everything. Failed, next interview i acted like improffesional in the way i carry myself sort of speak, and i got to second interview lol, I was like what????????

So the key points are, they dont care how smart you are and if you answer the question perfectly or not, what they want is a very vibrant duschy personality.

The interview is kind of like group discussion, for the first one.

PS: none of the things you mentioned indicate that you need to work for apple. Just saying

 

[Consultant]

+1

I've taken a second look at many applications because the applicant called in and asked if any decision was made. Many times this landed the person an interview and a position.

My Mom actually got her current position because she called once every 2 - 3 weeks until they gave her an interview. 20+ years later she's still with the company and quite high on the food chain.

I can haz job?
I can haz job?
I can haz job?
Are we there yet?
=p

I guess if you really want the job it won't hurt. Contacting any more frequently would seem weird to most employers though.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Thats not what i was told. Both my father (who has been in many corporate and business hiring situation) and a father of a friend (who's job used to be hiring people) Told me that persistence is key. Dont overwhelm them but if management sees that you are persistent, it can only help.

Sorry but persistence may be key but showing up 3 times in what appears to be 10 days (a week and a half) is overwhelming and quite frankly stupid.

Not necessarily. I only spoke to the hiring manager once. The second time, i spoke to an employee just to get some info. The third time a talked to a manager (not the hiring one) and she guaranteed me an invitation to their next event.

And toward the other comment. I know that Apple employees are not supposed to post. But im not an employee right now. So i am going to use these forums as much as i can until i can get a job there.

I did not say not to use the forums, I said zip it about being here. If you go in with the level of ZOMGness that you have about Apple talking about how wonderful these message boards are they may assume you're unwilling to give them up for the retail job.

The three times you showed up you bothered people who have a job. Only the hiring manager should have to deal with you. Going and seeking information from a low-level employee with no decision making authority is a waste of your time and theirs. Speaking to the manager, the third person you spoke to, may have helped but her guarantee is only as good as her word. I'd question her ability to make such a decision.

That is understandable. The second 2 times were really to get information. I wanted to know how their hiring process worked. I thought it would be good if i went it to ask them personally.

And yes, i understand about seeming too Apple crazy. My method is trying to personify a passion (not necessarily for the company) but for the things that they are doing, ie revolutionizing the way we do our every day business.

Seeking information on the hiring process is likely something you could have and maybe should have done beforehand. Know the company you're applying for before you apply. That's just how I feel about business.

As far as "trying to personify passion ..." Fantastic canned response that will probably wow the **** out of a hiring manager but kill the "not for the company" you should be passionate (even if you're not really) for both the company and what they're doing.

Just chill out. Your Dad is right about persistence, I doubt he meant to bug the **** out of them every few days. If you know a hiring event is every 6 weeks then your follow up routine should be every 2 weeks at bare minimum.

chrono1081's experience is key, "every 2-3 weeks" not every 2-3 days.

 

[instaxgirl]

you should be passionate (even if you're not really) for both the company and what they're doing.

Word (I don't think I've ever seriously used that)

I'm readying myself to be passionate about the banking industry for an interview next week. Which given the current climate kind of makes me laugh.

 

[anjinha]

Actually I heard Apple wants people with experience in retail. It doesn't matter how much you love Apple if you can't deal with tough customers.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Word (I don't think I've ever seriously used that)

I'm readying myself to be passionate about the banking industry for an interview next week. Which given the current climate kind of makes me laugh.

I've never heard of anyone trying to be passionate about the banking industry in this climate. That is funny when you think about it.

 

[GSV]

I didn't have one of those big interviewing events that everyone talks about. I only had a one on one interview with a manager. Just convey your love for Apple, but don't downplay the business aspect of it. The manager should feel confident that your passion will translate into sales.

My store sometimes hired people who had retail experience, but little Apple knowledge. They figure it's faster to learn the basics for selling Apple stuff than good retail skills.

Also consider applying to more than one store, if that's possible for you. For example, the DFW area has many Apple stores, but one in particular is very hard to get hired at due to the very low staff turnover. Had I applied for that store, I wouldn't have been hired. So if there's another store anywhere near you, even one that's farther away, consider applying for that too.

Good luck