Ive been dying to work at an apple store, and have been dying to have an apple store near me.. So anyways i was walking in my mall with my head down and i actually walk into the big wall that says apple store coming soon.. i almost wet my pants lol.. But how old do i have to be to work at one of them? Im probably to young for it now.. but maybe in a year or two. Also what are the qualifications that i would need? Im thinking about getting some sort of certification this summer but not sure which one to get.. Im thinking a+ but that wouldnt help me with apples.. Im a somewhat recent switcher to apple computers so i would want to get trained a little more.. I am a good salesman though and have working experience.. so what else should i get?
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How old to work at apple?
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There are many different positions at an Apple Retail Store. They can range from Store Manager, Mac Genius, Mac Specialist, Keyholder, Inventory Specialist, etc..
The 2 most popular positions are the Mac Genius (Mac Technician), and Mac Specialist (Mac Salesman).
To become a MacGenius, you'll need to get AppleCare Certified. There's a kit you can buy from Apple (AppleCare Certification Kit). I believe its somewhere around $299. This will prepare you for the AppleCare Certification Exams. There are 3 exams that you will need to pass in order to become a full AppleCare Certified Tech. There's a Desktop exam, Laptop Exam, and Mac OS X Exam. Each exam will run you around $150 each. A MacGenius not only fixes the computers, but also answers questions at the Genius Bar about anything Mac related whether its a question about a printer that connects to your Mac, or a piece of software that installs on your Mac. So its a lot more than just knowing about the Macintosh Computer itself. They're also responsible for keeping the other store employees up to date on new Apple technology and products that are announced. They're almost like 2nd in command in an Apple Retail Store (next to the store managers of course).
A Mac Specialist are responsible for being out on the floor and answer any questions that people have while looking at the display Macs. They're basically the salesman of the Apple Store itself. In the larger stores that have theaters in them, I believe they're responsible for giving the in store training sessions that people pay for. Those stores have training sessions for different topics that people can purchase, sit down and learn right in front of them. The topics range from OS X itself, Final Cut Pro, iLife, Certain Parts of iLife (ie. Just iDVD), etc...
Keep an eye out on Apple's website for job openings so you can apply for them. If you're selected (which many applicants will be), they'll call you for a phone interview and then you'll either be let go from there, or they'll ask to do a regular sit down interview. Then you'll either be let go from there, or you'll go on for probably another interview in which they'll choose the people they want for that particular position from there.
If you do get an interview either phone or in person, make sure you bring along any questions you have. They're more than happy to answer any questions, although certain questions they won't answer in detail. (ie. How much exactly does this position pay?)
This is all from my experience as I wanted to work for Apple as well. I got 3 interviews for a Mac Genius position, but in the very end, wasn't chosen.
You can buy the AppleCare Certification Kit on Apple's Online Store:
http://store.apple.com
Alternatively, you can buy 2 Books from Amazon.com which are AppleCare training books. These are significantly cheaper than the kit and very in depth. Here are the links to those books:
Mac OS X Training Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...f=pd_bbs_1/002-9725252-6400006?_encoding=UTF8
Desktop/Portable Training Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...f=pd_bbs_3/002-9725252-6400006?_encoding=UTF8
Both versions are Apple Certified Training Books.
You can check job postings on Apple's website:
http://jobs.apple.com
BTW..You will need to be at least 18 years of age to be even considered. And you will also have to pass a background check as well.
Its extremely competitive to for all positions so you'll really need to show your passion for the Mac. Anything you can think of to say that shows you passion for the Mac. Also, they focus a lot on customer service, more so than the technical portion. You can be the smartest Mac person in that area, but if you're not a people person and aren't always willing to help others, then they'll consider someone who knows less than you because they're better with people. In other words, they won't even consider someone who sounds like they'll do a halfass job. There's too many other people they could choose from. There's enough people who want to work for Apple where if they want you and you're interested, they'll come get you.
The 2 most popular positions are the Mac Genius (Mac Technician), and Mac Specialist (Mac Salesman).
To become a MacGenius, you'll need to get AppleCare Certified. There's a kit you can buy from Apple (AppleCare Certification Kit). I believe its somewhere around $299. This will prepare you for the AppleCare Certification Exams. There are 3 exams that you will need to pass in order to become a full AppleCare Certified Tech. There's a Desktop exam, Laptop Exam, and Mac OS X Exam. Each exam will run you around $150 each. A MacGenius not only fixes the computers, but also answers questions at the Genius Bar about anything Mac related whether its a question about a printer that connects to your Mac, or a piece of software that installs on your Mac. So its a lot more than just knowing about the Macintosh Computer itself. They're also responsible for keeping the other store employees up to date on new Apple technology and products that are announced. They're almost like 2nd in command in an Apple Retail Store (next to the store managers of course).
A Mac Specialist are responsible for being out on the floor and answer any questions that people have while looking at the display Macs. They're basically the salesman of the Apple Store itself. In the larger stores that have theaters in them, I believe they're responsible for giving the in store training sessions that people pay for. Those stores have training sessions for different topics that people can purchase, sit down and learn right in front of them. The topics range from OS X itself, Final Cut Pro, iLife, Certain Parts of iLife (ie. Just iDVD), etc...
Keep an eye out on Apple's website for job openings so you can apply for them. If you're selected (which many applicants will be), they'll call you for a phone interview and then you'll either be let go from there, or they'll ask to do a regular sit down interview. Then you'll either be let go from there, or you'll go on for probably another interview in which they'll choose the people they want for that particular position from there.
If you do get an interview either phone or in person, make sure you bring along any questions you have. They're more than happy to answer any questions, although certain questions they won't answer in detail. (ie. How much exactly does this position pay?)
This is all from my experience as I wanted to work for Apple as well. I got 3 interviews for a Mac Genius position, but in the very end, wasn't chosen.
You can buy the AppleCare Certification Kit on Apple's Online Store:
http://store.apple.com
Alternatively, you can buy 2 Books from Amazon.com which are AppleCare training books. These are significantly cheaper than the kit and very in depth. Here are the links to those books:
Mac OS X Training Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...f=pd_bbs_1/002-9725252-6400006?_encoding=UTF8
Desktop/Portable Training Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...f=pd_bbs_3/002-9725252-6400006?_encoding=UTF8
Both versions are Apple Certified Training Books.
You can check job postings on Apple's website:
http://jobs.apple.com
BTW..You will need to be at least 18 years of age to be even considered. And you will also have to pass a background check as well.
Its extremely competitive to for all positions so you'll really need to show your passion for the Mac. Anything you can think of to say that shows you passion for the Mac. Also, they focus a lot on customer service, more so than the technical portion. You can be the smartest Mac person in that area, but if you're not a people person and aren't always willing to help others, then they'll consider someone who knows less than you because they're better with people. In other words, they won't even consider someone who sounds like they'll do a halfass job. There's too many other people they could choose from. There's enough people who want to work for Apple where if they want you and you're interested, they'll come get you.
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I'm 19 and have been trying to get a job at my store for about a year now. I finally got an interview in February but they waited a month and a half to get me in for a second interview (after a background check and both of the managers going on vacation) so it turned out that I am not going to get the job because I will only be in town for another month and a half. It's unfortunate for the both of us since I really want a job there and they seemed incredibly interested, just at the second interview I told them about the time and they didn't seem too keen on it. Oh well, I'll try again when I get back here in August because then I'll be here for 3 years. Until then I'm working at a Pre-School on my university's campus.
Use that time wisely to gain all the experience you can on the Mac, both hardware and software. I do a lot of trial and error things here at home which I've learned a ton with both the hardware and software.
Look around on the different Mac forums to try and pick up little tips and tricks as well as answers to commonly asked problems/questions.
Look around on the different Mac forums to try and pick up little tips and tricks as well as answers to commonly asked problems/questions.
mklos said:
Thanks that's a really good tip. I've got about 3 years to "train" myself so I will be more prepared.
Airforce said:They better be paying a decent amount to be attracting those kinds of people to retailBackground checks to be on the floor selling Macs? Yesh!
I hate to tell ya, but any Fortune 500 Company is going to do a background check on you to get hired no matter what the position. Like I said, its very competitive and they'd rather not hire someone who has a criminal record or anything else that pops up when they can hire someone just as good or better with a clean record.
No offense but as cool as macs are it is so very far from my ideal job. Instead of training to become a peon for Apple, apply what you know and start thinking of ways to make your own buisness. Just a thought
All I know is you have to be at least 18.
My mom embarassed me by asking how old you have to be to work there last time we were in the Apple Store nbd though
Mothers....
(btw, I have 5 more years to go... haha)
My mom embarassed me by asking how old you have to be to work there last time we were in the Apple Store
nbd thoughMothers....
(btw, I have 5 more years to go... haha)
dukebound85 said:
As hard as it is to work for Apple, its even harder (and way more expensive) to become an AppleCare Certified Service Center and be successful. Basically you're competing against Apple and other Apple Resellers such as CompUSA.
But it is a thought. Dunno if you were referring directly to opening your own Mac business but thats the way I took it.
Two things mentioned here caught my eye.
I read what Airforce stated a bit differently. I understood him to not mean just the background checks but also whole hiring process. 2nd and 3rd interviews for a retail job...dunno about retail but in the IT Security field, subsequent interviews usually mean an escalated and very nice paying position. It doesn't make sense to spend so many cycles on someone who's basically on the bottom end of the totem pole, unless you're trying to be hired by the FBI or some similar organization (and those FBI agents get paid jack).
I'm curious as to how much Apple pays these guys. As much effort as they seem to focus on hiring the most educated people, it would be screwed up if they paid them peanuts. I suspect that they get paid pretty well, but I'm wondering if they get paid as much as, say, Cisco certified engineers.
I read what Airforce stated a bit differently. I understood him to not mean just the background checks but also whole hiring process. 2nd and 3rd interviews for a retail job...dunno about retail but in the IT Security field, subsequent interviews usually mean an escalated and very nice paying position. It doesn't make sense to spend so many cycles on someone who's basically on the bottom end of the totem pole, unless you're trying to be hired by the FBI or some similar organization (and those FBI agents get paid jack).
I'm curious as to how much Apple pays these guys. As much effort as they seem to focus on hiring the most educated people, it would be screwed up if they paid them peanuts. I suspect that they get paid pretty well, but I'm wondering if they get paid as much as, say, Cisco certified engineers.
unixfool said:
Yea, about how much do Apple store employees get paid? I'm interesting in applying as well.
unixfool said:
Well if your a freshman in college like me... It's not too bad for a part-time job. Or is it?
I know its retail.
You're missing my point. The point being, they're spending wayyy too much time scrutinizing potential employees then paying them what amounts to peanuts.
I've been working quite awhile and while I'm not in an HR position, I'm in a senior position where I work. Last I checked, retail positions at that pay level don't warrant such interview scrutiny. Then again, I've never worked retail (thank God).
In the IT field, when a potential employer expects you to have a certification in a known field, it usually means a good position and good pay...certainly better than $10/hr. Now, to a college student and maybe someone who lives where the cost-of-living isn't all that high, $10/hr is a good bit. I'm not knocking that. I'm knocking the fact that someone here mentioned that they were going to tiered interviews for a job in that pay range. It doesn't make sense, especially for what amounts to an entry-level position. I usually see people getting multiple interviews when the pay is more like $30+/hr.
One question: are all the positions that mklos mentioned considered retail? Some of those positions seem to have nothing to do with sales, IMO.
You're missing my point. The point being, they're spending wayyy too much time scrutinizing potential employees then paying them what amounts to peanuts.
I've been working quite awhile and while I'm not in an HR position, I'm in a senior position where I work. Last I checked, retail positions at that pay level don't warrant such interview scrutiny. Then again, I've never worked retail (thank God).
In the IT field, when a potential employer expects you to have a certification in a known field, it usually means a good position and good pay...certainly better than $10/hr. Now, to a college student and maybe someone who lives where the cost-of-living isn't all that high, $10/hr is a good bit. I'm not knocking that. I'm knocking the fact that someone here mentioned that they were going to tiered interviews for a job in that pay range. It doesn't make sense, especially for what amounts to an entry-level position. I usually see people getting multiple interviews when the pay is more like $30+/hr.
One question: are all the positions that mklos mentioned considered retail? Some of those positions seem to have nothing to do with sales, IMO.