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Got a job with Apple, do I take it?

T

tortex

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
61
0
I've just been offered a job at a new Apple Store, the position is Creative. I've also been offered another job, and I'm not sure which to go for. I'd love to work for Apple, and the job did sound good, but I wonder how much is spin. Has anyone here been a creative in an Apple store, or been to see one? I'd like to know what I'll be doing all day, I have a bad feeling I'll be helping people make Keynote's and transfer pictures from digi cams, and every now and then doing something sensible with Final Cut or Aperture - which would quickly get dull I think.

Have any of you been in this role, or used a creative? Any thoughts?
 
How old are you?

I only ask because i have found that those that I know who took an Apple job early in their careers have liked it and moved on (or up) while the two people who were a bit older did not seem to enjoy it as much
 
Good job! I applied a couple of times to the Apple store but seemed to not appeal to anyone. So I have ended up at Wal-Mart. Oh well :(
 
In the store near me, it seems that the Creatives that do the best are the ones that are true teachers (i.e. they get satisfaction on a deeper level from watching a customer get excited after having been taught a new skill).

Otherwise, like you said, the position has the possibility of becoming monotonous. You're likely to spend 75% of your time with people that have very little Mac skills. Final Cut Pro and Aperture people are usually the rarity, although I guess that really depends on the market your store is in.

Swing by the Apple Store on a regular day and hang out by the Creative table and listen in on some of the One to Ones. I think that'll give you a really good indication of what you'd be in for.
 
If you don't feel that strong about either, go with the money or the one closer to home.

Apple is probably a solid job, ie you won't get laid off. Is the other one in a solid company?

Benefits as well: medical, dental, vision, retirement.

I think it would be cool to work at apple, but I don't think I would ever receive a paycheck, they would just settle my IOU at the end of the week.
 
I could see that job being a great way to develop good business and communication skills (and also very fun if your personality is a match for it).Presenting and teaching people would definitely be helpful - knowing how to teach people / help them understand technology is a good skill to have.
 
I am a teacher, but I've been used to teaching some fairly complex stuff for a good few years now, I did this as a change into a more stable career with a company I respect. The other company will not be going bust any time soon, they'll outlast our own government. ;)

Where do the Creatives sit? Is it on the shop floor? I was told we'd sit in a zones off area and only deal with people who booked an appointment. I'm good at teaching, and love to help people, but if I had to deal with loads of fan boys asking which colour iPod to get I'd go crazy.

I guess the first week of training will give me a better view, and I can go from there. The other job is being held open for me, it's much more travel (2 hours to work, not 10 minutes) but I have a suspicion it may be worth it. Hmm.
 
tortex said:
I am a teacher, but I've been used to teaching some fairly complex stuff for a good few years now, I did this as a change into a more stable career with a company I respect. The other company will not be going bust any time soon, they'll outlast our own government. ;)

Where do the Creatives sit? Is it on the shop floor? I was told we'd sit in a zones off area and only deal with people who booked an appointment. I'm good at teaching, and love to help people, but if I had to deal with loads of fan boys asking which colour iPod to get I'd go crazy.

I guess the first week of training will give me a better view, and I can go from there. The other job is being held open for me, it's much more travel (2 hours to work, not 10 minutes) but I have a suspicion it may be worth it. Hmm.
Click to expand...

In the larger Apple Stores (such as the one in Osaka, Japan) they have seminars for many of their applications and usually those are taught by creative individuals who have prior knowledge and experience in their applications/specialist field. Ideal for any hobbyist, enthusiasts, creative students or pro-users looking to get a better understand of say Adobe Creative Suite, Apple's FCP etc. Occasionally, you might be asked to work on the genius counter for software support.. Get the picture?
 
tortex said:
Where do the Creatives sit? Is it on the shop floor? I was told we'd sit in a zones off area and only deal with people who booked an appointment.
Click to expand...
In the stores I've been to, the Creative Table (where Creatives sit) has always been on the shop floor. Having said that, Creatives almost always only work with people who have booked appointments. You will have the occasional customer walk up to you between appointments, and you will have the Specialist employees (that sell stuff to the customers) bring customers to you (if you're free) with specific questions about applications. Fan boys usually don't make it far enough back into the stores to bug the Creatives (and the amount of time on the floor you'll have without an appt. is likely to be very, very small). ;) Creatives also work the floor during special events, like big product launches. Like UltraNEO mentioned, if a Genius is stumped with a software issue, they may call you over. None of the stores near me are flagship stores, so I've never seen any of the seminars in the studios that he mentioned.

I'm a big fan of following your gut feeling (re: you thinking the other job may be worth it), but if you can work Apple for a week or two while the other job is being held open, it doesn't sound like you have anything to lose! :)
 
If you're a teacher without a current position, i'd take the job with Apple simply b/c if you decided to move on, I believe that experience would look amazing on a resume.

Of course, there is the chance of applying for other jobs within Apple.

Good luck,
Keebler
 
I would take the job at apple only because the launguage you were using in your post. You said " I would love to work for apple." That shows your passion in the apple brand. Passion alway speeds up the process in being successful. At the apple store you will need to have the heart of a teacher because you'll be dealing with potential switchers with many questions.
 
A cynic might see "spin" from the interviewer if the job doesn't rise to his/her expectations. But, in the final analysis, it is what you make of it to a large degree. Not always, of course, but if you're really passionate about Apple, and good at the job, the over-the-top promises might actually come true.
 
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