Difficult Interview – Overall Positive Experience – Yes, and I accepted – Mon, 4 May 2015
Interviewed Apr 2015 in Chicago, IL(took 30 days)
The Apple interview process is such a fun and rewarding experience. I applied on March 6 and didn't hear back until March 31st. I was sent an email to register for an upcoming Apple hiring event on April 9. It is an invitation only hiring event. I was not able to register myself for some reason, so I replied to the email and they responded by saying they registered me for the event.
The event started at 9AM. I walked into the Apple Store the day of my interview and there were already other applicants present. I was given a name tag and a sheet of paper that basically wanted my availability, the Apple products I used and was knowledgeable about as well as my preference for which four Apple stores I was interested in. It also asked about your preference for position and whether you were interested in PT or FT. There were around 25-30 of us total. We were taken to a room upstairs to being the process. It started with the managers from two Apple stores in the area introducing themselves. We then had to introduce ourselves through a ice breaker. We had to learn the name of the person next to us, their favorite technology and something interesting about them and then introduced them to the group. After the introduction, we were shown a series of videos showing the Apple Store retail life and the different positions. This is where you should be active and involved by answering questions the managers may pose. They will be standing around writing things on a sheet of paper. After that, we were split into groups. Once if groups we were given an iPod to do a pass and play. You had to answer whatever questions popped up on the iPod and then pass it to the next person. We did this for two different managers. Most of the questions are concerning customer service and how you deal with situations and the outcomes of those situations. Try to be detailed as possible. After this session, we sat back for for a Q&A. Always have questions to ask! Once we were finished, they let us know that we would hear back in about a week to whether or not we made it to the next round. I received a call two days later inviting me to a second interview.
The second interview was on April 16 with two of the managers. I had seen two of the people from my group interview which was pretty cool to see they had made it as well. This interview wasn't as stressful as the group interview. It was more of a conversation. After introducing ourselves, myself and the two managers, they asked a bunch of customer service questions based on my resume and my previous jobs and my experiences. Once again, be detailed as possible. Apple really foucses on changing people's lives and inspiring them through innovation and technology. They can care less how much you know about technology and Apple. You need to showcase you passion for helping people and changing their lives. I throughly explained my experiences based of the questions they asked and basically let my personality fill up the room. I was told I would hear back from the HR administrator if I was going to the next round. I didn't hear back in two days like I did after the first interview, so I was really getting nervous and concerned. One week later after not hearing back, I sent a email to the HR administrator basically thanking the two mangers for their time and hoped that I hear back soon. Two days later, April I received a call from the HR administrator inviting me to a third interview with the acting store leader and market leader.
The third interview took place on April 29. I was super nervous about this interview because I read this is typically the last interview. I met with the store leader with the market leader being absent for some reason. Like the previous interview, this interview was more like a comversation with the store leader asking me questions that were not for a script. Again, I displayed my passion for helping people, my love for Apple and the products and my passion for inspiring lives. I pretty much elaborated on the same examples I used in both the group interview and second interview. Of course I asked questions at the end. Here I really let me personality fill the room while laughing and smiling along with the store leader. I was told I would hear back in 4-5 days. Right after this interview, I sent a thank you email.
Two days later, I received a call from one of the managers from the hiring event offering me a PT Specilaist position. He told me the offer was contingent upon successfully completion of a background check. Two days later I received the email requesting me consent. I sent in the background check request on May 4, and now I am waiting to hear back.
Interview Questions
What are you passionate about?
Answer Question
Tell me about a time when you had an irate customer. How did you deal with it and what was the outcome?
Answer Question
Why Apple?
Answer Question
What is one thing that would disappoints you while working in retail?
Answer Question
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, Group/Panel Interview, Background Check and a Presentation