Should I work at the apple store?

[uberfunction]

Any former employees of an Apple Store? I'm going on my 3rd interview for a Genius position and so far so good. But now, other opportunities have come up and I want to know if I should take the Apple Store job if they offer me. Is it time consuming? Is it worth it?

I really don't want to waste their time and if the experience (and pay) is worth it, I'll do it. Keep in mind, I have a full-time day job and recently freelance opportunities have been coming up. They pay really well (like $800+ per project) but I worry that 1.) the opportunities will stop or go through droughts.. and 2.) that I might not have enough energy to maintain a full-time job, a freelance gig and a part-time job at the Apple Store.

Oh, my full-time and freelance jobs are for graphic design work. What should I do?

 

[aristobrat]

Genius is a tough job. People bring you broken stuff (so they're not thrilled to be there in the first place), and they usually have the expectation that you'll fix it during your 15-minute appointment with them. Sometimes you can, which really thrills them. Other times you have to tell them that the repair isn't covered by warranty (and they'll have to pay), or it'll take a week or two to fix it, or .. whatever .. point is, you'll have to deliver them some news they don't want to hear, which isn't always fun.

It's as time consuming as the number of hours you're on the scheduled for. The story I worked only had full-time Geniuses and Creatives. Only the Specialists were part-time. I'm guessing you're going for a part-time Genius spot?

The store near me is run well -- the majority of the employees there are long-timers, and coming to work was usually a lot of fun. Every store is different though, so you should spend some time in the store you might work at (as a customer) and see what kind of feel you get.

Any Apple Retail position is fast-paced, so if you're going to poop out easily (because you're busy with your other stuff), you might not like it.

 

[Zeusie]

Sure you should!

You seem like a decently nice person. Last time I was at the apple store, most guys were jerks, so you should work there on the sole reason of making it a friendlier environment

That aside, I think it is always important to have a job with more stability in addition to freelance and such. If you can handle both, give it a go.

 

[aristobrat]

You seem like a decently nice person. Last time I was at the apple store, most guys were jerks, so you should work there on the sole reason of making it a friendlier environment

You'd be surprised at how many of the jerks started as decently nice people.

 

[uberfunction]

You'd be surprised at how many of the jerks started as decently nice people.

I could imagine. I was really thankful that they even allowed me to be interviewed given my situation with work. But out of courtesy, I want to be able to give some other guy an opportunity to work there if this becomes too overwhelming. Thanks for all the input everyone.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

You'd be surprised at how many of the jerks started as decently nice people.

No doubt that customer abuse takes its toll.

 

[RubbishBBspeed]

You wouldn't believe how much of dealing with the general public will completely and for evermore wreck your head. The worst has to be the poor suffering soles in the mobile phone shops. My heart goes out to them.

 

[uberfunction]

You wouldn't believe how much of dealing with the general public will completely and for evermore wreck your head. The worst has to be the poor suffering soles in the mobile phone shops. My heart goes out to them.

I use to work for a verizon wireless for one season and I really didn't know how those sales reps maintained sanity. I could totally see why it is the number 1 most complained business in the US

 

[barkomatic]

There's a lot in common between working at *any* retail store and working for the Apple store. Fast paced, angry customers, being on your feet all day, rotating schedule, etc. Then again, Apple is at the top of its game right now and everyone in the store is excited about the future--the customers and the employees. The liberal dress code is a big advantage over other retailers who will make you were khakis and some color of polo shirt.

If you can deal with difficult customer service situations and have a lot of energy then you will likely enjoy it. Realistically, I don't think you could have a part time job at the Applestore, another full time job, and a freelance gig. I mean, you could, but you'd end up doing a crappy job with at least one of those things--and more likely all three.

I know a guy who worked a part time job for minimum wage at night and ended up coming into work for his full time job late all the time. His full time job here paid about three times what he made part time and had benefits. He ended up getting fired for being late to work. So, essentially he traded a well-paying full time job for a crappy part time thing. Stupid.