I've got a Mac Genius interview - Any pointers?

[Balli]

I applied to a UK Apple Store for the position of Mac Genius, and I got a reply back saying I have an interview next Wednesday. I'm SO chuffed, but they say that I will need to do a Mac Technical Screen Test.

Does anyone have any pointers as to what I should expect from the test? What kind of questions do they ask? How long is the test? etc.

Thank you in advance from any help.

[northernmunky]

I went for that job too in Central London, the test was pretty easy I thought, I got 90% on it. Its just a mixture of technical knowledge and basic troubleshooting questions on Macs and iPods. Things like what would you do if a customer cant charge their iPod.... customer complains they cant get more than 50 songs on their 4Gb iPod what might their problem be?

they'll give you a bunch of scenarios like that.

[Sdashiki]

I know they ask you questions like:

where is the riser card on XXXX

and things like that.

might have changed, this is based off a friends interview 2 years ago.

odd tech questions it seems.

[Balli]

Originally Posted by Sdashiki

I know they ask you questions like:

where is the riser card on XXXX

Are they multiple choice questions, or do you have to type the answers out?

[Balli]

Originally Posted by northernmunky

I went for that job too in Central London, the test was pretty easy I thought, I got 90% on it. Its just a mixture of technical knowledge and basic troubleshooting questions on Macs and iPods. Things like what would you do if a customer cant charge their iPod.... customer complains they cant get more than 50 songs on their 4Gb iPod what might their problem be?

they'll give you a bunch of scenarios like that.

Thanks for the reply. Do you remember how long the test took, etc? Did you get the job?

[topgunn]

Good luck on your interview. On that note, I know that if you get the job you won't be allowed to post here anymore so I will offer this simple advice now as opposed to later.

Don't become a jerk.

There are two kinds of Mac Genius: the very helpful, respectful, knowledgeable kind and the rude, obnoxious, knowledgeable kind. The former is much more common but the latter tends to stick longer in peoples minds. Remember that no matter how many times you have heard the same question over and over, it is the first time for the person in front of you to be asking it.

[Sdashiki]

Get used to the fact you are going to not only see hardcore problems, but moronic ones.

The typical Apple Store customer, and Genius Bar user, is, what we would call here at MRF, an idiot.

[northernmunky]

Originally Posted by Balli

Thanks for the reply. Do you remember how long the test took, etc? Did you get the job?

I was in Bournemouth at the time so they did it over the phone, it was all multiple choice 4-5 possible answers.

No, I didnt get the job because my MA was in film editing using FCP and they wanted me to be a creative and come back for another interview. I decided it wasnt for me.

[Balli]

Originally Posted by northernmunky

I was in Bournemouth at the time so they did it over the phone, it was all multiple choice 4-5 possible answers.

No, I didnt get the job because my MA was in film editing using FCP and they wanted me to be a creative and come back for another interview. I decided it wasnt for me.

Thank you have been very helpful. I hope all goes well on Wednesday. I will miss these forums immensely if I get the job (fingers crossed).

[Project]

Can you post after you have had the interview to let us know what type of questions you get asked?

Im interested in applying as a Genius, but dont know just how much of a Genius you need to be.

[cschreppel]

I interviewed for a Mac Genius position awhile ago here in the US. After I sent in my intitial resume, they had me come in for a personal interview - you know, basic stuff with leadership skills, etc. I then took the "exam" right on the spot.

Pretty basic - got a 90 or 95% on it, can't remember. I think I only missed one or two questions. There's a few multiple choice questions and then a few short answers...all are pretty easy except for a handful of them...I remember 4 or 5 that seemed to throw me off for a second.

After that, I went back for an interview with the "head Mac Genius" and just discussed my experiences with him and getting a feel for the job. I got a call about two weeks later from the manager to offer me the job. I would have then studied at home for a week via some study packet Apple has online and then would have flown to San Francisco or Texas to train for 2 weeks on Apple's dime. I held out for about a week or so because there was another pending job offer and when that went through, I turned it down.

Looking back on it now, I realized it wouldn't have been for me. While I am very patient and would have been great for the position, it just wasn't for me. I'm a music recording engineer and the Apple thing would have just held me back a bit -- the other job offer was one working full time as a recording engineer in one of the best classical halls in the country recording orchstras, jazz bands, etc.

I think I made the right choice.

Although the discount would've been really, really sweet.

[gkarris]

It was 20 questions over the phone for me. Most questions I knew, some I didn't but it was easy enough to guess. I got almost all right.

I was invited then to speak to the store manager, but I would've had to work weekends, so I turned it down - for now....

[Balli]

Thank you for all your replies. I will let you know how it turns out.

[puckhead193]

Sorry to bring this thread a live again but for my class we have to do fake interviews for jobs for our companies that we chose. So i have to interview this kid for any job. I choose retail cause its easiest. Any ideas of questions i should ask.
This is what i was thinking of so far (in any order), any other suggestions
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. Do you use any of our products? ipods, computers etc
5. Do you have prior retail experience?
6. Who is your hero? Why?
7. What’s your personality like?
8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
9. What is your career goal?
10. What is your major/minor?

[puckhead193]

anyone?

[Balli]

I just got a call from Apple... I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

I start in 4 weeks!

[gkarris]

Originally Posted by Balli

I just got a call from Apple... I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

I start in 4 weeks!

The big wooo, hooo. What store?

[Balli]

Originally Posted by gkarris

The big wooo, hooo. What store?

England's flagship store, Regent's Street in London. I can't stop grinning!

[Swarmlord]

Originally Posted by Sdashiki

Get used to the fact you are going to not only see hardcore problems, but moronic ones.

The typical Apple Store customer, and Genius Bar user, is, what we would call here at MRF, an idiot.

Yeah, but it's the quick resolution of these types of problems with a smile that makes for satisfied return customers. Most Windows customers have to settle for a full wipe after hours of frustrating troubleshooting.

[sushi]

Originally Posted by Balli

England's flagship store, Regent's Street in London. I can't stop grinning!

Fantastic! Congratulations!

[johnee]

Excellent!

now i have a question....
my ipod won't talk to my computer, I sit the ipod next to my computer, but they don't communicate? it's as if they're mad at each other!
I pick up the ipod and force it to look at my computer and say something, but they still refuse to send songs to each other!

hahaha... just kidding.

[gkarris]

I'm trying to hook up my iPod to my Windows machine.

It won't sync? And what about the stuff I bought off the Zune store???

[Project]

Congrats. Regent St is just around the corner from me and im in there quite often.

So what kind of questions do they ask? I mean, just how technical do you have to be?

[whooleytoo]

Originally Posted by johnee

Excellent!

now i have a question....
my ipod won't talk to my computer, I sit the ipod next to my computer, but they don't communicate? it's as if they're mad at each other!
I pick up the ipod and force it to look at my computer and say something, but they still refuse to send songs to each other!

hahaha... just kidding.

I like it! I pop into the Regent St. store from time to time, I'm so tempted to drop in with a similarly obscure error (and a hidden camera)

[gkarris]

Originally Posted by Project

Congrats. Regent St is just around the corner from me and im in there quite often.

So what kind of questions do they ask? I mean, just how technical do you have to be?

Pretty technical, but don't have to be perfect - it's for seeing if you can pass a test at the end of your certification...

I won't divuldge any of the questions though - I don't want to hurt any future employment with Apple...