Difficult Interview – Overall Positive Experience – Yes, and I accepted – Sun, 1 Oct 2017
Interviewed Sep 2,017 (took 30 days)
Prologue: My first ever interview was in February of 2017. I didn't make it past the first group interview, either due to the fact there was a more competitive talent pool, or that I wasn't being myself. Always try again, and be yourself. I was always told to be myself but never believed it until I saw that it helped me through my second time. Remember that you're not necessarily competing with people in these interviews, as there are usually multiple positions. The interview process will take a long time, and I've met people who've had up to seven interviews before being hired. Also keep in mind in the interviews after the first one, there will be people interviewing before and after you. Don't let this intimidate you.
First Interview: Group interview with a Store Leader, Market Recruiter, and about eight candidates (including me). The interview started at eight in the morning, before the store opened. This interview was really laid back and intimate, and you really feel like everyone there is friends. We started off by introducing ourselves, talking about our passions, and why we wanted to work for Apple. You will be asked "Why Apple" several different times and in several different ways in all of the interviews- be prepared. Next we passed around an iPad two cycles, answering questions from it. These are all based on previous experience, and how you assess situations. The interviewers LOVE questions, but know when to wrap them up. Next we had a few discussion questions, talked about college, and then we asked the interviewers questions. Always ask questions, this shows that you're genuinely interested in the job. Just don't ask dumb ones that you wouldn't ask in any other interview.
Second Interview: I received a call from the Store Leader about two hours after the first interview inviting me to a second one the following week. This interview was with a different Store Leader and another candidate from the previous interview. This took place in the middle of the day, in one of the corners of the store. We were asked a lot of the same questions as the first interview, but we would always receive follow up questions forcing us to go into more detail. We were reminded that the positions that we applied for were essentially dummy positions, and that this interview was to see which would be best fit to interview us for. The interview was wrapped up with asking the Store Leader questions. Always ask questions and tell stories.
Third Interview: I received a call from the Market Recruiter from the first interview informing me that they would like me to interview with the Market Leader. Because of my interviews and previous experience, they told me they would like me to be a technical specialist. Because of the recent launches, the stores were really busy. For this interview, we interviewed in the lobby of a hotel. I met with the Market Leader, the Market Recruiter from the first interview, and another candidate that I knew from the first interview. We were asked in-depth questions about our passions, work life, patience, etc. These questions were followed up with more in-depth ones. The Market Leader had our resumes handy on his iPad, and would often refer to them for more questioning. This interview was really casual, and on several occasions we got REALLY off topic. Keep in mind that most Market Leaders make a lot of money, and are really good at what they do. A lot of Market Leaders have been with Apple since the dawn of the stores, so they know their way around. Your interview with the Market Leader is the deciding interview, and you can expect a call back within two days.
Offer: I received a call two days later from the Store Leader from the first interview congratulating me on getting the position. He then asked about availability for Core training, and notified me to consent to a background check. The check was supposed to take a minimum of 5-10 days, but mine was done in three. After that I received another call letting me know, and asking for my availability to sign my official offer.
Interview Questions
Why Apple?
Answer Question
Tell us about a time that a day at work was the exact opposite of what you expected.
Answer Question
What is a flaw of yours that would drive me crazy?
Answer Question
Tell me about your love for technology
Answer Question
Other Details
The interview consisted of Group/Panel Interview and Drug Test