Apple Interview Questions & Reviews in Los Angeles, CA Area
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Updated Oct 26, 2011 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
Ratings are reflective of location and job title.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 18 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 18 ratings
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| 1–10 of 18 Apple Interviews | Sort by |
Mac Specialist (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Oct 26, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Woodland Hills, CA (took a day)
was the normal group interview, but that was it, i got an email a few days later that i would not advance to the second round. Really wanted to get the job as i am a able geek, but i guess my lack of retail experience (I'm only 19) was a huge factor in getting the job. I hope once i get more retail experience to re-apply and hopefully have a better outcome
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
More Apple Mac Specialist (Apple Store) Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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Inappropriate?
Creative (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Oct 3, 2011 — 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 Sep 2011 in Canoga Park, CA (took a day)
A few months after I applied online I received an email from a odd email address @apple.com that read, "I reviewed your resume and would like you to attend one of our upcoming hiring events for the Apple Retail Stores. We’ll be sending you an email invitation that provides additional details, including the available event dates and times for you to choose from. We look forward to meeting you soon." I was skeptical because the email looked fake, but it wasn't.
Shortly after I received a follow-up email that read, "We recently sent you an invitation to our hiring event with Apple Retail. This is an invitation-only event that you were selected for based on your resume that you used to apply for positions with Apple. We would love to meet you and tell you more about opportunities at Apple Retail. For complete job descriptions for positions at an Apple Retail Store, visit www.apple.com/jobs and click Retail."
I then followed the link to choose a specific time slot available out of the 2 days they were doing the hiring event. I got reminder emails before the date and could change my RSVP if I needed to.
I arrived at the interview at a hotel meeting room where there were a few Apple employees giving out a form and nametags for us to fill out. The form just asked what positions you were interested in, whether you wanted full or part-time for them, what products and programs you had knowledge in, and your availability.
We walked into the room to clapping and music (it was funny.) They then showed a video about Apple (pay attention to the numbers,) had each person introduce themselves to the class and say what one of their most interesting jobs was, and then we had a q&a slideshow. They would show a picture of music devices and ask who could name all the products on the screen (e.g. ipod shuffle, ipod nano, ipod touch, & ipod classic.) then it would move to to the computers, and then the other products. It was pretty easy if you are a mac fan. Then they would ask general trivia questions about apple like when apple produced the first computer, the first ipod, the first iphone, etc.
Then after all that we broke out into groups (with 1 manager) where we were passed around an ipod touch with traditional interview questions on it that we read to the group and anyone who raised their hand first answered the question.
My tips: be outgoing, passionate about apple products, personable, friendly, talkative (but not interruptive or annoying), listen, participate the best you can, and smile a lot. If you sit there and watch you won't get the second interview. Apple looks for a specific TYPE of personality to work for them.
I got the second interview. Will you??
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
More Apple Creative (Apple Store) Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Mac Specialist (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Oct 3, 2011
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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 Sep 2011 in Santa Monica, CA (took 3 weeks)
I still cant believe this is a 4 step interview process for what at its core seems like a retail job. That being said, considering how many people go after these jobs, i fell like it is an accomplishment in itself to make it this far (I'm on the 3rd interview). On top of that, it's not like your selling clothes or pet supplies. Its freaking apple who posses the latest, greatest and most innovative technology so this really does get you up to work for them.
The 1st interview consisted of a group ranging from about 40 to 50 people. you guys will watch a video and do some introductions and then break off into groups where you must come up with skits selling various apple products. Don't have too much fun as this is the part where they will be watching you and where you are supposed to make noticeable contributions to your groups skit.
After they give you a call they invite you back for the next interview which is a much smaller group of about 5. Here they give the group questions collectively and they are expected to answer in no particular order which is them testing you how comfortable each person is taking the lead and speaking. Same deal afterward with the phone call. This is the step I am at and will be attending my 3rd interview in a couple of days. Hope all goes well.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
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Mac Specialist (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Sep 22, 2011
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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 Sep 2011 in Los Angeles, CA (took 1 week)
I applied on-line and about a day later I got an email inviting me to a job fair that was held in a hotel. They asked to dress business casual.
Once I got there I checked in and they gave me a clipboard with a paper to fill out. It just asked what position I am applying for, what products and programs I am familiar with, and my days of availability.
There were many managers and human resource people who presented themselves. They showed us a video to get us hyped up. We then proceeded to a Q/A sort of thing. My advice is to participate.
After the Q/A they separated us into groups and two employees came to each group. They passed around an iPod with questions and you had to volunteer.
At first I was nervous, but then I felt more relaxed because they make the atmosphere fun.
It lasted for two hours.
Unfortunately, the next day I got a rejection email. That in mind, they did say that if you did not get a confirmation email that you should apply again.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Creative at Apple
Posted Sep 22, 2011
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 in Glendale, CA (took 5 days)
This was my 2nd time around with Apple. The first hiring event was unusual. We were led in a ritual of extreme Apple worship & self-adoration. I had prepared fervently, being sure to participate with high enthusiasm. I was offered a 2nd interview, via email. That was 1:1 with a young gal, which I think I botched (to be honest) by trying too hard - by not providing very concise answers, but was overly excited & all over the place about Apple & the Creative position. In the desire to convey my sincere interest, awareness & love for Apple, I asked her questions about about the company that she didn't know. I even busted my butt making them a short, incredible video called "A Tribute To Apple", and gave them DVD copies. This was also to demonstrate my abilities for the Creative position. I spent days perfecting it - it meant that much to me. When I asked about it, no one even watched it.
Avoid this big mistake --These folks are tuned in / motivated solely with their own sector -- the retail store -- and don't care if you know what Apple's stock is, their history, or their current presence in the education industry, or their inroads in the film industry where Avid Technologies prevails. This sort of great-heartedness toward Apple may only work against you.
These young people are on a very narrow, small-minded track, and will not appreciate your character, level of care, depth of knowledge and love for the company. It's almost 100% about personality.. about being very fast on your feet, concise with the right answers, and a simple love for the product. It's about being a right fit for an extremely limited selective process -- a process that, in the long run, is the wrong kind of "think different", in terms of people value. It comes across as surprisingly reckless, roughshod, even irresponsible as an approach to evaluating people.
During these frequent hiring events, they invite vastly more people than they could ever use, or even adequately evaluate, for that matter. It's like a crap shoot. The overwhelming majority of candidates MUST BE eliminated. So, based on one slight wrong move, or one small whim on the part of someone judging you during these fast-paced sessions, a lot of highly-qualified gold quickly gets passed over.
It comes across as cheap, disingenuous.. a game designed almost exclusively for, and marketed to - youth... those who are so starstruck & enamored over Apple, that they don't really mind getting shot down multiple times over the course of weeks, OR EVEN MONTHS, through the Nintendo levels of Apple's retail hiring. (One guy conducting the event admitted that much, telling us that it took him many hiring events over 7 months to finally get in. Some object to this treatment of humanity. Most companies don't indulge themselves in such hiring practices.. perhaps those companies who still retain some small vestige of conscience and human worth.
Of course money matters.
The problem is not that money matters.
The problem is when money is ALL that matters.
At the first event, they didn't serve coffee, but at least gave us water. This last time around, they didn't even offer water. The feeling is that they're Apple, and because they're *so* cool, they don't have to. What's next? Pay to interview?
This all smacks of directives concocted in corporate backrooms, with the objective of milling quickly though large swaths of people.. at the least possible cost. An odd practice for a company who regards "people as its greatest asset". (Actually, things like money, stock, real estate are "assets" - human beings are worth much more). It's really about monetary growth and market dominance - only. The "people value" is purely utilitarian, not intrinsic. That's a long-observed development in corporate life. You kinda "have what you hate".
It's not the same Apple anymore. What it is, is an enormous egotism, a company high on itself, drunk on its own success, with the disgusting, shameful attitude of assuming on other people's time and expense - that it so richly lavishes upon itself. That is, to great excess and extremes.
This time around, I was very relieved NOT to go on to the next precarious level of Super Mario.
For me, the deep admiration I so long held for Apple, is now utterly destroyed.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Specialist at Apple
Posted Aug 26, 2011 — 2 of 2 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 Jul 2011 in Irvine, CA (took a day)
I applied online and was invited to an interview seminar, which was pretty cool. Apple does, indeed, do a great job in making it's potential employees excited to work for the company. They did a lot of talking and a lot of prepping. They ask a lot of questions to get you involved and hope that you'll speak up. But I think that what is most important is to be friendly, but not too eager and for your schedule, make yourself as available as possible. Because I only put down that I could work 15-2o hours due to school, I wasn't considered as much as other people were. When I talked to the manager after the seminar he said he really liked me but he saw I only put down 20 hours when it's mostly liked that the applicant puts down at least 30 hours of availability even though they might not work that much.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Apple Store Leader Program at Apple
Posted Jun 11, 2011
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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 Mar 2011 in Los Angeles, CA (took 4 weeks)
I went to an on campus job fair and met with Apple representatives. From there I heard about the Apple Store Leader Program and after talking to a few recruiters I was encouraged to apply. Though the deadline for the job was in March I was told that you should apply really early in order to be considered. I submitted a resume and cover letter online right after talking to them that day. About a month later I heard back that Apple wanted to have an interview with me. The interview was much different than any I have ever had. It took place at a hotel in downtown LA where 60 or so applicants arrived. From there we were split into two groups and went to seperate rooms. In there we all watched some videos about Apple and were asked questions as a whole. Anyone could raise their hand and answer. From there we were broken up into teams of 4 and had 30 minutes to prepare a presentation to give to the entire room.
A few hours after the interview I recieved a phone call telling me that I made it to the second round. The next round of interviews were to take place the very next day at the same hotel. The second round consisted of two 30 minute interviews. However, the only weird thing about it was that every candidate who was interviewing at the same time was interviewing in the same room. The room was big but you could really hear what the other candidates were saying. Each interview had two interviewers. From there if the interview went well candidates were invited to an Apple store for another "project". I did not make it to the final round but all the Apple people were incredibly nice. The most difficult thing about the interview was that it was quite a time commitment with travel and freeing up 3 days of time back-to-back can be hard for some.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Retail at Apple
Posted Jan 27, 2011 — 0 of 2 people found this helpful
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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 Oct 2010 in Los Angeles, CA (took 2 days)
Huge waste of time. You won't get hired unless you fit into "apples culture/personality". Did not have a 1:1 interview even though I was scheduled to and promised one. Group panel interview was just a waste of time and $10 dollars since I had to pay to park twice.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation and a Personality Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Part-time Family Room Specialist at Apple
Posted Aug 31, 2010
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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 Aug 2010 in Los Angeles, CA (took 2 days)
I had a friend that works for Apple refer me to work for the company, so I went online and created my profile, submitted my interest to work at numerous locations and then got an email back about 3-4 days later asking me to atten an "invitation only hiring event." I RSVP'd, and went to the group seminar. It was 2 hours long, there were about 20 of us in the room, and 3 managers from the store present. They showed us a Keynote presentation about working at Apple and what different positions there are within the store and things of that nature. We then had to turn to our neighbor and find out some things about them: their name, where they currently work, why they want to work for Apple, and an interesting fact about them. After everyone had gone though introductions, we then had to pair up into groups that had nametags with similar Apple products on them and think of a creative way to tell the group about our product and how it's features would benefit people. After all the presentations, they opened up to a Q&A, and advise they would email you I they chose you to proceed on to round two: the group interview. I got my invite back the next morning!! Went to the store again, this time only 6 of us were there with 3 managers asking us all interview style questions... Each person had to answer each question, and it only lasted about an hour. They them advised that if they chose you to go on to the final round, you'd be contacted once more. Half an hour later, I received an email stating they were going with another candidate... :(
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Mac Specialist (Apple Store) at Apple
Posted Aug 23, 2010 — 2 of 2 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 Aug 2010 in Los Angeles, CA (took 2 weeks)
I went through one phone interview, one 1:1 interview, and one group interview... I was lucky, many of my coworkers had 5 interviews. The interviews are very relaxed and they will ask you why Apple? How have you overcome difficulties/challenges in your past? and many other standard interview questions. Nothing unexpected
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
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