Jobs at local Apple Stores?

[EvryDayImShufln]

Hi

I was just wondering today, how hard is it to get a job at an apple store as a sales representative? The truth is I know just about everything about apple hardware, and I went into my local apple store (in Montreal, Laval precisely) and spoke to the manager. He told me to apply online, which I did, but I find those online applications truly don't do anybody justice.

The worst part is that after the manager told me that, a client asked him what the difference was between a macbook and a macbook pro, to which the manager responded by opening safari on one of the nearby macbook pros and looking it up.

Does anybody have any experience working at an Apple store, and if so, was it hard to get hired and what did you think of it as a whole?

 

[MovieCutter]

It's cool, but it's still only retail. It's definitely the cream of the crop as far as retail grunt jobs go. It's usually a fun atmosphere, but again...it's still retail. You still have to deal with customers asking if that shiny computer comes with Windows, or wondering if you sell software for a Dell PC. But you also get to help people, which is a good feeling. Back in the "old" days of Apple Retail, they used to hire fanboys and people passionate about the user experience. These days, it seems like anyone can get hired at one.

My advice is to be different. Nobody cares if you know everything about Macs. What they'll care about are can you sell them, are you personable, can you sell AppleCare, .mac, and ProCare, and can you convey the Mac experience. If you just "know everything about Macs", odds are they aren't going to be impressed.

 

[sycho]

I thought you meant the Steve variety of Jobs when I read the title...

 

[ReanimationLP]

I thought you meant the Steve variety of Jobs when I read the title...

Yeah really, I'm planning to apply for a Genius when my cars back up.

Even if I dont get the Genius job (I applied before when I was 17, and the regional recruiter was very interested in me), I'd still take a regular sales job, as I bet the pay is better than what Best Buys paying me.

 

[mcarnes]

I thought you meant the Steve variety of Jobs when I read the title...

Me too. He hangs out here at the Portland Apple store all the time. He's usually organizing the software boxes on the racks, or keeping busy with one of those push carpet sweepers.

 

[applekid]

If you even get an interview...

I've been applying for an Apple Store position (Mac specialist), but I've successfully had one phone interview, and a manager of a store contact me by e-mail (was in the state, but not the store I applied for...). I have applied last summer, last winter, and now this summer. Good ol' seasonal positions...

The phone interview I had came last summer because they were preparing to open the store at my local mall which was mere minutes away. The local recruiter was interested and told me the store would open in the fall, but I told her I couldn't take the job because I would be away at school.

Never again has Apple called me after I submitted my application online. Maybe my interview actually went badly?

I decided to apply for a Genius position, too, this time because it sounded like a job that preferred certified Mac technicians, but it is only "preferred" according to the website. Unfortunately, my resume so far includes non-sales jobs: a tutoring job, technical support for a computer lab, and an aide for running a program for middle schoolers.

The vibes I get from what other people say in these style of threads is that it's a retail job, and it's all about selling Apple products and less about how well you actually know Apple products. Hence you get a manager like the one you met. It's not all that glorious, but you'd probably have an easier time selling a product you like and know. And I hear the pay is quite good. Good luck.

 

[FrankBlack]

Anyone know how turnover is at the Apple stores? Greater than normal for the retail business, lower, etc?

Do they let you keep the cool black t-shirt?

 

[MovieCutter]

Anyone know how turnover is at the Apple stores? Greater than normal for the retail business, lower, etc?

Do they let you keep the cool black t-shirt?

From my experience... lower turnover. There are people at my old store who have been there since it opened 4-5 years ago. I was there for more than 2 years. And yes, you get to keep all the shirts they give you. I have boxes of them.

 

[G5Unit]

I don't want to thread high jack, but is there a list out there of apple stores that you can apply to at 16?

 

[Chef Medeski]

Hi

I was just wondering today, how hard is it to get a job at an apple store as a sales representative? The truth is I know just about everything about apple hardware, and I went into my local apple store (in Montreal, Laval precisely) and spoke to the manager. He told me to apply online, which I did, but I find those online applications truly don't do anybody justice.

The worst part is that after the manager told me that, a client asked him what the difference was between a macbook and a macbook pro, to which the manager responded by opening safari on one of the nearby macbook pros and looking it up.

Does anybody have any experience working at an Apple store, and if so, was it hard to get hired and what did you think of it as a whole?

Interesting. I wanted to apply to the same store. It slightly far from my house on the West Island, but it doesnt take that long to get there. But it seems a lot of work for a job that only perk is everything is Apple. I think your better off trying to get a position at a regular computer store that sells Apples. lol.

 

[appleguy123]

I don't want to thread high jack, but is there a list out there of apple stores that you can apply to at 16?

Bump! I also would like to know this and if you now 18 y/o is still here how did it go?

 

[007bond]

Bump! I also would like to know this and if you now 18 y/o is still here how did it go?

me too. i want a summer job for next year and i was wondering the same thing

 

[waloshin]

It's cool, but it's still only retail. It's definitely the cream of the crop as far as retail grunt jobs go. It's usually a fun atmosphere, but again...it's still retail. You still have to deal with customers asking if that shiny computer comes with Windows, or wondering if you sell software for a Dell PC. But you also get to help people, which is a good feeling. Back in the "old" days of Apple Retail, they used to hire fanboys and people passionate about the user experience. These days, it seems like anyone can get hired at one.

My advice is to be different. Nobody cares if you know everything about Macs. What they'll care about are can you sell them, are you personable, can you sell AppleCare, .mac, and ProCare, and can you convey the Mac experience. If you just "know everything about Macs", odds are they aren't going to be impressed.

Haha fun job, its just a retail store nothing special. It like working for Future Shop, Wal-Mart, Best Best... all the same, Boring!

Besides the novelty of working at the Apple store will disapear within the first month. You'll have to listen to whiny annoying customers just like every other store.

 

[feelthefire]

me too. i want a summer job for next year and i was wondering the same thing

Apple will not hire someone who is looking to leave in 3 months over someone who can work year round. It is not worth the money or time to put someone through very extensive training only to have them bail for 9 months, then want to come back.

And they do not hire under age 18, at least in my state.

I used to work for them. I left, because I got tired of all the corporate nonsense. I went to a reseller where I don't have to read off a script all day, and have been much happier.