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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| 31–40 of 839 Apple Interviews | Sort by |
Software Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 17, 2012 — 0 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2010 (took 1+ week)
It was good.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
More Apple Software Engineer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Apple Retail Store Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 11, 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 Jan 2012 (took a day)
All of this happened - about 50 candidates present - in a big group first - then later smaller 8-9 groups with 2 managers/support staff heading up the small breakout sessions (where they took copious notes, I think) - and made up their minds on who shall proceed/who shall be rejected.
HOW UTTERLY DISAPPOINTING this initial "group hiring" event ultimately was (and that was my exact sentiment as I left the event...BEFORE they sent me the rejection letter!
It was disorganized; clearly slanted in some (obvious) appraisal - pro or con - of some of the potential hires - while ignoring (or silently dismissing) others. I truly can't say "how good or bad" my chances really were with Apple Retail before or right after that event, and coming from an extremely well-positioned, long-time free-lance association with Apple, Inc.; plus also being an up-to-date, highly experienced user, purchaser of $$$ of newest hardware and software that I learned with - and made a significant career from; and being a regular fixture on the Apple Retail Store scene *to this day* for a variety of training and other reasons - I got a rejection letter 2 days later (clearly a DB-culled form letter....no doubt).
SKIPPING AHEAD: Right after the event was over....I rated the whole event a 5 or 6 out of "10" - and that is a poor - very lousy assessment: Apple's teams approach and handling of the event that night was awful. While people were certainly very friendly - things were too rushed.... noticeably disorganized....at times they made parts of the "event" awkward for us, even........I felt the event was merely a pro forma sham to pick out the youngest, or the most hip, or the most potentially "in-store appealing" individuals.
But I'll likely never know the truth on any of that; or why I was just routinely rejected in 2 days time. I was not the only attendee/potential hire candidate to share similar thoughts, as when it was all over, privately discussed...similar ideas and concerns.
So, I didn't get promoted to the next level of interviews, obviously.
Now what?
Honestly - I know did a fine job representing myself, and looked oh-so youthful - cool, even - belying my true age; dressed slickly in all-black business casual.
This "event" was all about was: "YOUR PERSONALITY"; and do you "LOVE APPLE!" (which I do...) and "Why do you want to work for Apple?" Then finally, we were individually asked: "What - if hired - will YOU bring to Apple Retail, in particular?"
So I did my thing: without being too pushy, or "too confident" : didn't ask more than two questions, didn't interrupt anyone at all. I didn't screw-up anything that was asked of me - EXCEPT, in the abstract, and this is only a MAYBE:
While during the phony role-playing situation(s) that were tossed-out to my breakout group members of 8 or 9 - I did ask as instructed: (ME: in the role of "customer") TO: a young guy in my group who was selected to play the role of "Apple Store Specialist" - to answer a question I was instructed to pose to him: and while he had an immediate answer ready...when I asked him the next obvious question to keep things moving - he could NOT answer the SECOND half of my query to him at all.... he literally stopped the phony role-play - and admitted it - and THEN there was this uncomfortable silence - as if *I'd* done something terribly wrong. After that fiasco - I was actually SKIPPED in the final small-group "ask [you] a single question/response portion." Totally NOT EVEN LOOKED AT. They claimed "time" constraints prevented "us" from going any further.
Right.
At this time, I have little confidence in Apple Retail personnel's hiring methods, if what I experienced is "standard fare." It was down-right poor - and cheated God-knows-how-many of us truly worthy, potential employees out of a job with Apple. I wish I could find out more about how they decided on their "first cut" of rejects - and why.......but I suppose that will not likely ever happen, either.
Before the initial "hiring event" - I had been carefully advised by Apple staff: both friends and workers alike that I know well....to just BE myself: keep cool don't overdo the reality of my advanced level of Apple training and professional experience...."LESS is MORE," I was advised... and I did just that....... (as some people actually did over do it a bit here and there and were ask to cut it off).
But alas, it was not to be...not now...I got the rejection email today....so maybe never!
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation and a Personality Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Field Test Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 11, 2012
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 in Cupertino, CA (took 7 weeks)
Apple has a very intense and in depth interview process. I started out with a personal one on one with a team lead at an invite only Apple hiring event. After they decided they liked me I proceeded to have about 3 or 4 more phone interviews that were arranged by my HR case worker. All employees and the HR rep were very respectful, professional and obviously some of the best in their fields.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
I had just purchased a home in my city and it turned out to just not be the right time. After I pay down my home a bit, I hope to be able to re-interview with Apple and accept their offer.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 6, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 (took a day)
I applied for the position online after seeing an opening for an intern on the Apple website. I was contacted via email for an interview after about a month.
The interviewer called at the time he said he would, was very punctual in fact. The interview consisted of a series of questions to gauge your experience in programming. Some questions involving heap, stack, how you use stack in your programs, when did you use it etc. He then moved on to O.S questions. He asked about some O.S-specific questions, which were, presumably, common topics for the course. But I haven't taken the course, so I failed to answer any of them. He was very friendly though, and encouraged me to guess and try to deduce what it is.
Seems like they are looking for people who can think on their feet, and have had some experience outside the classroom. I think it'll be fine if you can try to get your way out of the questions by talking to him, and letting him know what you're thinking. I was too nervous and could hardly think straight.
Tips: Study your basic data structures and algorithm. And memorize and really understand the crucial terminologies of computer science. Most importantly, learn to think your way out of problems like a true computer scientist! Hope this helped :)
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
More Apple Software Engineer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Account Manager at Apple
Posted Jan 10, 2012
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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 Jul 2011 in Cork (Ireland) (took 1 week)
They are quiet straight forward, your motivation, your skill, your experience are the focus of the interview. The position I got, was very particular and the details you express are very helpfully for apple and for your chance of success.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Creative; Was Initially Hired As A Specialist at Apple
Posted Jan 9, 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 Jan 2011 in Chicago, IL (took 6+ weeks)
First there was a "hiring" event, where we all mostly mingled and they saw who seemed personable. A couple of games involving problem solving. Then I was called for in-store interviews with more or less all of the managers at the store. Each one was quite pleasant and positive. There were many days of waiting, but finally I got an offer. Every day is a new learning experience at Apple!
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No negotiation possible-- I heard others try but it wasn't an option. Apple has many people to choose from!
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Creative (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Jan 7, 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)
The first interview was somewhat of a "cattle call" with over 100 prospective employees. Apple had employees and managers from all the stores hiring. Very interesting process. Everyone was very nice, positive, and open and showed a real enthusiasm for the company.
The process still is not over yet so some of these check boxes are not quite accurate.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
More Apple Creative (Apple Store) Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
IPhone/IPod Product Design Engineer at Apple
Posted Dec 26, 2011 — 3 of 3 people found this helpful
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 in Cupertino, CA (took 3 weeks)
This was a pretty intense interview process. It began with a 1 on 1 lunch interview that lasted about an hour. Next was a design test, I had a week to design a mechanism which they specified. They wanted to see a report with pictures of my CAD, my thought process, some quick calculations, possibly more in depth FEA, a BOM, etc. The day after I turned in this report, I received an invite to come in for a full day of interviewing.
This full day consisted of several interviews. Every half hour was a new interview, and each interview felt rushed--you've gotta be on your toes. Almost every interviewer brought a piece from an Apple product and asked me what material it was and how it was made. Be prepared to rattle off 3 or 4 different techniques to decipher between steel and aluminum. There was also a lunch interview which started off casual, talking about our hobbies, etc. But then I was asked how my water bottle was manufactured and what material it was, and then more and more engineering questions were fired off again.
Overall, things you definitely need to know:
- stress/strain diagrams and all of their important points
- different engineering metals (stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, etc.) and where they sit respective to one another in their specs (Modulus of elasticity, density, tensile strength, magnetic or nonmagnetic)
- dfferent engineering platics (PC, ABS, Delrin, etc) and their primary uses.
- overall different manufacturing processes and their corresponding constraints.
- know basic deflection equations and be able to work through a deflection problem.
Many of these reviews tell you to be sure not to stress out. The Apple engineers definitely do try to break you and stress you out. However, I think my biggest mistake was overcompensating for this. I didn't stress out at all, but as a result, I also didn't push myself to think critcally enough, and I think that is where they saw my fault. If I had made it past this round, they would have brought me back in to present my design project. In the end, if anything, this was a great interview experience.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
At Home Advisor at Apple
Posted Jan 2, 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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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2011 in San Marcos, TX (took 2 weeks)
Apple was recruiting on campus at Texas State University, so I went to a small on campus presentation. I then submitted my resume online, and was contacted a few days later to interview one on one on campus. The interview was about 30 minutes, at which time the interviewer asked a couple of basic knowledge questions about computers and the internet and my experience with Apple products. She was mostly concerned with customer service and making sure I could empathize - Apple is really big on this. About three days later I received a phone call offering me the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Presentation.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Mac App Store Engineer at Apple
Posted Jan 5, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 (took 2 days)
I was emailed by Apple that they are seeking an intern to work in the Mac App Store department with Objective-C.
I was asked to describe what happens in Objective-C if you pass a method to type 'id', and the object does not support that specific method. So along the lines of polymorphism.
If you are proficient in Objective-C, the initial interview is easy.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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