Apple Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Feb 8, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 839 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 839 ratings
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| 21–30 of 839 Apple Interviews | Sort by |
Software Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 25, 2012 — 1 of 2 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 in Cupertino, CA (took 4+ weeks)
I did an initial phone interview where we discussed general technology, I presume this was to make certain they weren't wasting their time. They then followed up with on-site interviews for which I was flown out and put up in a very nice hotel. The interviews lasted from 9am-3pm in 45 minute increments, each with a different person. Each person was different, some wanted me to do specific programming problems others just wanted to talk about my experience. Overall the stress level wasn't too high, and I wasn't asked to do anything overly complex.
Interview Questions
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Negotiation Details
I was blown away by the offer, and did not negotiate. I often wonder if I could of gotten more, but I am happy with my initial offer.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Genius at Apple
Posted Jan 21, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2010 in San Francisco, CA (took 2 weeks)
The entire face to face interview was focused on customer service and customer experience rather than technical knowledge.They did have me take a test for the tech stuff but they mainly wanted to see how I would react to different customer issues and scenarios. It was obvious that they would rather an empathetic tech guy than a know it all.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 21, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2010 in Richmond, VA (took 3 days)
- Applied online for a part-time specialist position so I could pay the rent.
- Had a group interview with about 20 people ... took about an hour or so and they asked us about Apple stuff and to make a brief presentation about your favorite product.
- Got a call to be interviewed for a Genius position.
- Phone interview with lead genius for technical screening - I was asked about 20-30 questions about general computing and Apple-related hardware and software. No brain teasers or anything like that.
- Interview with hiring manager and lead genius ... talked about working on a team, previous work experience, etc.
- Interview with store leader and marketing manager and we got along well.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Ha! Asked if salary was negotiable and got a big "No." I was under the impression that I was lucky to have gotten an offer, especially as a Genius. It was my first job out of college and I figured I should take it, and I'm glad I did. At least I got a raise after a year (to about $15/ hr).
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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Inappropriate?
Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 16, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 (took 3 weeks)
Interviewing at Apple is unlike any other retail job, in that they go out of their way to thoroughly screen applicants. My experience was similar to others...it started with an online application, and then I was invited to a group interview about 2 months later. About 30 applicants were there, along with 6 store workers. The event was very informal, split between a presentation about the company, group questions, and then small group tasks. Overall, the event took about 2 hours. While the employees were generally upbeat about the company, they skirted around questions such as how many people they were looking to hire, and what they were looking for in a candidate
2 days later, I got an email requesting a information for a background check, and the next day I received a phone call inviting me in for a 1:1 interview. From talking with other applicants later on, they sit you down with one of the branch leaders...I had the business leader. Pretty standard interview, though they definitely concentrate on things like hobbies and extra-curricular interests more than most companies. I actually missed some question relating to the new OS, but they didnt seem to care a whole lot at this level as the person I interviewed with actually set up the time for my next interview at the end.
My 3rd interview was another 1:1, this time with the store leader. I didnt really know what to make of this interview, as half of it was spent discussing baseball and the interviewer didnt even have my resume in hand (he didn't seem to care much about past experiences). It went well enough that I got a phone call the next day requesting a 4th interview with a market leader.
The 4th interview was where I faltered in the process, though I dont entirely know why. Because the market leader was coming in from out of state, he showed up an hour late, and thusly instead of having a 1:1 he interview 2 of us at the same time. This interview was by far the most technical of the 4, but still a fairly free-flowing conversation. I was able to answer all the questions correctly this time, and was able to answer all the questions that the other interviewee missed. Still, I received a phone call 4 days later informing me they were sorry but they were moving on with other candidates.
In closing, after having gone through the process I still cannot tell you what Apple is looking for in their employees. They mentioned that they received thousands of applications, and that merely getting invited to their group session is indicative of an accomplishment. The only thing that really irked me about the process was that the 1:1 interviews took place on benches in the middle of a busy mall, which can make it difficult to focus on the interview, but perhaps that is intentional.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Supply Base Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 19, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 (took 4+ weeks)
4 phone interviews talked with 2 managers and the director of the department, two peer engineers. I applied for a position in CA in campus job website, but after two phone interviews, they move me to a position in China. The hiring process moved very fast in the beginning, It is a great opportunity after talking with them several times, but after I became so interested, the interviewing process slowed down. I am still waiting for further notices.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 19, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Manhasset, NY (took 3 weeks)
It started with an Email 11 days after applying online through the company website.
After a lot of excitement you set up for a group interview with about 50 other applicants in the same room.
Dependent on your answers they will push you through to the next stage; be outgoing and attentive while watching the video, also don't try to be a hog while doing the presentation definitely try your hardest to make sure everyone goes (including the shy one).
The second interview consists of questions regarding what you like to do on your free time and is basically a back and fourth conversation between yourself, 3 other applicants and a store manager along with the hiring coordinator.
I think I talked too much for this part of the interview process because although all of my peers said I did well, the interviewers didn't feel the same as I didn't receive a callback.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sourcing Manager at Apple
Posted Jan 17, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2010 in Cupertino, CA (took 2 weeks)
Talent Acquisition was knowledgable and did a good job summing up the role. After two conversations, I advanced to a phone interview with the hiring manager. The hiring manager seemed great - it was more of a conversation than an interview. None of the questions were too out-of-the-box, but it seemed like a great fit. I was scheduled for one more set of interviews - the peer panel, which occurred a week later. The peer reviews were very poorly run - the two peer panel interviewers seemed to be completely unprepared about my background and were disorganized. My questions were specific and caught them off-guard. I suspect this was potentially due to the secretive culture at Apple. They made no attempt to really understand what my background was. After this conversation, the HR manager sent me a note telling me that they were very interested in having me come for in-person interviews, and would let me know within a week, but that communication never happened, despite my repeated attempts to reach out. I ultimately gave up 1-2 months later.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 17, 2012
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 in San Francisco, CA (took 4+ weeks)
Went online to Apple.com and applied via "Job Opportunities" tab. You fill out a very basic application and have the choice to upload your resume, which I did. You fill out several questions, I believe it was a total of 5, and they are very basic questions.
1 month later I heard back via email that I was invited to a "hiring event" interview at Apple. The date of the event was 2 weeks away so if you work or are in school you can make arrangements to make the interview. The hiring event was held at a local hotel. Apple did pay for parking via parking voucher.
When you arrive, you check-in via an Apple rep that will be outside in the lobby and will give you a name tag and a paper to fill out with availability, contact info, and ask you to number your choices of desired locations. You will also put down Apple products you are familiar with. I recommend you introduce yourself and take a moment to chat with other applicants as this will not only help calm your nerves, but it will show you’re not shy and are a people person.
As a group we were all called into a room and 2 Apple employees were waiting outside and they played music. As you go inside, smile and act like you are impressed. When you sit down they tell you to introduce yourselves to who is sitting next to you. They then go around the room and each person introduces themselves and have you say 1 fun/unique thing about yourself. Have a fun job or interesting thing to talk about. This is all personality and someone is taking notes in the room as you speak, so be energetic and sincere.
After going around the room they play a few presentations about Apple. After each video they will ask if anyone has ?’s or comments. Come up with things like how Apple is always growing, how they have such great diversity, etc. Be sure to raise your hand and speak, as they have someone taking notes. You do not need to go overboard, but it will look good if you can address each video with a comment.
After 45 mins of the "why Apple rocks" videos, you are then called to a small group interview. You are broken down into smaller groups via store you selected as top choice to work at. You go into your new room as a smaller group and are introduced to 2 Apple employees on the hiring board. Again, smile, act energetic, act like you’re so happy to be there.
They have you sit down and you hear a bit about them and then you’re being asked questions. Each candidate responds to the question being asked and most are all personality/who you are type questions. In reality you should already know what to answer as the questions are basic hr questions like "Did you ever have a conflict with a co-worker and how did you handle it?" type questions. Do not feel intimidated, take your time, and try to be unique. One person was taking notes, but never let that make you feel pressured. They will also ask you what Apple products you are familiar with, your answer should match what you checked off on the paper they had you fill out in the lobby when you arrived. They ask if you have any questions and I recommend you have a question or comment to make. You are then released; shake hands and do the fake smile and leave.
My tips for candidates: Always make eye contact, do not be shy, always make a comment when appropriate, and show you are a "people" person. You do not need to be skilled to work at Apple. You do not need a degree, or have significant computer experience. They want to sell products as a specialist and form bonds with customers so they come back again and again. Show some enthusiasm and play the game.
Why does Apple create products in California but make every product in China? Americans need jobs, open a factory here!
Why does Apple not share profits with investors?
I typed this on my PC.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Apple Campus Representative at Apple
Posted Jan 16, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 (took 2 weeks)
I applied for the Apple Campus Rep position online on the Apple website. They sent me an email to pick an appointment time for a phone interview. They called during the time slot and they asked general questions such as "Why do you want to work with Apple" and "when have you had to deal with a stressful situation in which you were not fully prepared". At the end of the phone interview the interviewer said I would hear back in three days about another interview. After three days they did not contact me so I contacted them and they said someone would contact me in one week. They did not contact me again so I emailed them again and they said someone would contact me the next day. I was contacted the next day and had a second, shorter phone interview. The interviewer said I would hear if I got the position within about ten days. Today is the tenth day and I have not heard anything. Overall, I was impressed with Apple when talking to them on the phone but they did not contact me when they said they would very often.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Business Manager at Apple
Posted Jan 15, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2011 (took 4+ weeks)
Very in-depth interview process. I was impressed and would have liked an offer. There were five separate meetings and phone interviews.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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