Apple Recruitment Question

[iSimx]

Dear all

I have a series of interviews/presentation coming up in two weeks time at the Apple offices in London. Would anyone happen to know what to wear for the recruitment day?? I don't think it is formal wear then again they said "Brownie points" if I get it right...

Ahh not looking forward to that day lol... sounds scary.


Simon

 

[zouglou]

**********

 

[iSimx]

The position is Desktop Support Intern and it's in Hanover street, Apple offices, not the actual store. They said I would have a group interview, one to one interview and test my presentation style? ....

I presume it will be smart casual...

 

[ViViDboarder]

The position is Desktop Support Intern and it's in Hanover street, Apple offices, not the actual store. They said I would have a group interview, one to one interview and test my presentation style? ....

I presume it will be smart casual...

Probably a black turtleneck with blue jeans. Haha.

Don't quote me on that btw!!

 

[Eddyisgreat]

The position is Desktop Support Intern and it's in Hanover street, Apple offices, not the actual store. They said I would have a group interview, one to one interview and test my presentation style? ....

I presume it will be smart casual...

Overdress. Nice shirt, clean shoes, ironed, trimmed nails, fresh haircut, smell'n clean. If you can scope out the regulars and mimic their style, more power to you, but at a certain place that I work for, the programming/it guys come in pretty much whatever they find in their closet ( and sometimes sports/cycling gear because I live in seattle ), whilst the finance/business types come in their "i'm going to dominate the world don't look at me too hard or i'm going to cut you with my razor sharp style" wear

And since it's a group interview, I suggest you not try to dominate the convo (they don't want someone who will be argumentative w/ them) but be clear and concise (they don't want a wimp).

And good luck. Internships are fun as heck.

 

[iSimx]

Thanks for the advise!

Also will do my research on Apple, that's important

 

[rorschach]

When I interviewed at Apple's offices in New York, I wore jeans, sneakers (not ratty or dirty), and a black long-sleeved shirt (not a turtleneck). And I got called back for a 2nd interview.

Most of the Apple guys I have met wear similar outfits, obviously not exactly the same though...that would be creepy!

Also, like Eddyisgreat said, don't "dominate the convo" -- but do speak up. I've had two interviews with Apple and both were in groups. In the first one, we just went around a conference table. They asked us a question and then each of us answered it one by one. I just always made sure I had an answer ready, and I had some questions when they asked if anybody had any. So that's definitely important. In the group interview, try to get a seat so that you won't be the first one to have to answer if they go round the table; that'll give you time to think. And have a few questions to ask.

I got an email *that night* inviting me to a 2nd interview (also a group), so I did something right. They offered me the job after that one too.

Before that I'd also done a one-on-one interview that I didn't get hired after. It was one-on-three. Heh. Just me sitting opposite 3 people asking questions. I can't say it'll be the same for yours, but I was asked a bunch of "rate yourself from 1-10 on x/y/z" (things like performance at last job, etc.) I decided to be honest and give answers like 7 or 8 and I knew I'd fudged it when they told me "Well if you're hired we really want you doing 10s." So if they ask you to rate yourself, just be enthusiastic tell them "10"!

 

[iSimx]

Thanks, that's really helpful.

When they say in the email 'wanting to learn about my presentation style?' does that definitely mean doing a presentation because it's not as if I have to sell products in the job, so I think... or does it mean how I present myself etc.

 

[rorschach]

Thanks, that's really helpful.

When they say in the email 'wanting to learn about my presentation style?' does that definitely mean doing a presentation because it's not as if I have to sell products in the job, so I think... or does it mean how I present myself etc.

I know a bunch of people at Apple who had a group interview where they split up, and each "team" was given an Apple-related product/topic. They then were given 10-20 minutes to prepare a short (5 minute-ish) presentation. I didn't have to, but from what friends have told me, it's usually just selling it. If you do have to do that, it's no big deal. You'll have to come up with something on the fly but just speak well and be enthusiastic. Watch some Stevenotes on YouTube beforehand. They're not testing your ability to sell but how well you work under a deadline and how well you communicate.

They may, of course, just be talking about how you present yourself. Don't dress too shabbily, speak up and be outgoing.

Either way, the thing they want to see is that you're excited about potentially working for Apple. So definitely be enthusiastic/outgoing. If you are like me and are somewhat shy, just force yourself to do it; if you're naturally enthusiastic, even better!

I took a look at the Desktop Support Intern job description at Apple's site and it's pretty much what I expected. They want someone who has "basic Mac knowledge" but what they're really looking for is someone who's enthusiastic and communicates well. You can train someone to learn this software or that machine but you really can't teach someone to change their personality!

 

[gkarris]

I wore business casual - Polo shirt, nice slacks, nice walking shoes (not dress and not sneakers).

I got the second interview and wore the same.

I was being considered for the position, then I asked a dumb question early (about when a worker gets benefits) via e-mail. My next e-mail was a rejection. I learned that is NOT a question to ask before an offer. I *think* that's why I was rejected. In today's Economy, companies can be so strict as to reject a person based on a question they asked, no matter HOW GREAT they are for the position (and I have extensive experience for an Apple Store position - any of them).

I just got a hold of this article today - that is one of the mistakes.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/50-Worst-of-the-Worst-and-usnews-3658564314.html?x=0

Hope this is helpful to you!

I just got a retail gig at a store that I absolutely love (part time first, now it will be full time).

Godspeed!

 

[ArrowSmith]

I wore business casual - Polo shirt, nice slacks, nice walking shoes (not dress and not sneakers).

I got the second interview and wore the same.

I was being considered for the position, then I asked a dumb question early (about when a worker gets benefits) via e-mail. My next e-mail was a rejection. I learned that is NOT a question to ask before an offer. I *think* that's why I was rejected. In today's Economy, companies can be so strict as to reject a person based on a question they asked, no matter HOW GREAT they are for the position (and I have extensive experience for an Apple Store position - any of them).

I just got a hold of this article today - that is one of the mistakes.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/50-Worst-of-the-Worst-and-usnews-3658564314.html?x=0

Hope this is helpful to you!

I just got a retail gig at a store that I absolutely love (part time first, now it will be full time).

Godspeed!

Sorry dude, but amateur move! I knew not to ask about benefits on an interview back in my early 20s!

 

[gkarris]

Sorry dude, but amateur move! I knew not to ask about benefits on an interview back in my early 20s!

Wasn't on an interview - I was e-mailing back and forth asking when they were going to make a decision. They kept calling me saying they were still considering me.

Worked out - just started my new retail position full-time. MUCH, MUCH better than the Apple Store!

(and, benefits... )

 

[rorschach]

Wasn't on an interview - I was e-mailing back and forth asking when they were going to make a decision. They kept calling me saying they were still considering me.

Worked out - just started my new retail position full-time. MUCH, MUCH better than the Apple Store!

(and, benefits... )

Heh but it's still retail. Working retail sucks...if you have great coworkers though it's better.

What kind of store is it?

 

[gkarris]

Heh but it's still retail. Working retail sucks...if you have great coworkers though it's better.

What kind of store is it?

Aviation...

(and they matched the pay of my previous, horrible IT job - not hard to to... )

 

[2contagious]

Dear all

I have a series of interviews/presentation coming up in two weeks time at the Apple offices in London. Would anyone happen to know what to wear for the recruitment day?? I don't think it is formal wear then again they said "Brownie points" if I get it right...

Ahh not looking forward to that day lol... sounds scary.


Simon

Hi,

I live in London, too and I have been to two recruitment events since I moved here and signed up on the Apple Jobs website in December 2008 (for Apple Retail though). The first one was in July 2009 for the White City store and was unsuccessful. The second one was in February 2010 for an upcoming store and was unsuccessful, too I really don't know what I did wrong. I guess I just have to be a bit more confident. Anyway, to answer your question, I wore dark blue jeans with a white t-shirt and a grey hoody & black blazer combo. Again, this was for a retail recruitment though.

Surprisingly, I have recently been invited to my third recruitment event (this time for the Regent Street store). Is it normal that they reject you a couple of times, but keep inviting you to their recruitments? I have been restructuring, rephrasing and reformatting my cover letter and CV, but I wanted to ask if anyone has any other tips for 'how to do well at an apple retail recruitment event'? I really want this job and I hope it will work out this time.

cu, 2c

 

[iSimx]

Hey, thanks for the reply, Unfortunately I failed on the 4th round. Quite disappointed, really don't know what else I could have done or said. Maybe as you said. Be more confident? and enthusiastic. Any tips would be appreciated for next time!

 

[2contagious]

ah man.. sorry to hear that. Good luck to us for our next time A few months ago, I tried getting some tips for the retail recruitment events out of the specialists, but nobody wanted to even slightly touch that subject. Only response I got was "just be yourself". I guess they're too afraid that any information they share on recruitment details might be against their NDA. I know the job details are part of the NDA and I respect that, but are they not even allowed to talk about 'what apple seems to like' and 'what apple seems to dislike'? ..just vague impressions of the process I mean

I'm pretty sure I am being myself at the events and I don't see how having extensive hardware and software related knowledge, being able to speak three languages, and having a lot of experience with basically all Apple products currently offered could be 'disliked' by Apple Retail. I'm really hoping that this upcoming recruitment will be a success and again, good luck to you, too

 

[iSimx]

Thanks man.. yea I totally know what you mean. I've been to the apple store many times asking different people about the process and none of them want to say anything. One even said they are not allowed to say anything. During my interview, the interviewer mentioned that inside the company is very secretive lol... So yes, goodness knows what they want. Good luck to you too!