Insider's Guide to Getting a Job at Apple (2024)

Insider's Guide to Getting a Job at Apple (1)

Insider's Guide to Getting a Job at Apple (2)

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Get a referral


- Back in the days Apple recruits are often hired through recommendations of existing employees.
- Apple staff are usually happy to recommend newbies for upcoming jobs, and they even get a payment for the privilege.

Can't get anyone to refer you?


- The next best thing is to get yourself talent-spotted by a recruiter.
- Apple uses both agencies, and internal recruiters.
- The company has plenty of eyes looking for new recruits.

How to steal the spotlight?


- Contribute a fantastic iOS or Mac app to the App Store.
- Something as simple as answering questions within the Apple support forums is also rumoured to have lead to employment too.

Want to leapfrog straight into the spotlight?


- Prove yourself!

Hugo Fiennes


- Went from college then to Apple where he heads up iPhone hardware development.
- How he did it?
-
- By proving a long-standing and intricate knowledge of the ARM hardware at the heart of the iPhone.

Jordan Hubbard


- He moved to Apple's Core OS Engineering Department as its manager of BSD Technologies in 1999
- How he did it?
-
- He generated valuable input and code to an open source project Apple invests heavily in.

Comex (AKA Nicholas Allegra)


- How he did it?
-
- He routinely jailbreak each iOS version of Apple and received an offer for internship.

Get yourself bought


- Plenty of people have created commercial products and found their companies bought by Apple, along with themselves.

Bill Nguyen


- He sold Lala to Apple for a reported $80 million.
- He didn't just receive a large lump sum though, as Apple wanted access to Lala's technology and team.
- All his employees went to Cupertino.

Dag Kittlaus


- The man behind Siri.
- Apple bought Siri for an estimate of $200 milion.
- Following the acquisition, Kittlaus and Co. moved to Apple's Cupertino headquarters.

Send your CV on spec


- Of course, Apple accepts applications direct to its front door too.
- However, they would "highly recommend trying to locate an insider" before doing this.
- A little goodwill goes a long way at Apple.

Get an internship


- Apple accepts interns, and while you'll need to be studying for a relevant course and willing to work for lower-than-Apple-average pay.
- It's not all good news though. Internships have a shelf life.
- Apple's maximum internships are for 51 weeks, so expect to be back on the job hunt within a year.

Start at the bottom


- The ground floor entry is Apple's retail stores.
- Constant expansion, and customers queuing out of the door, mean Apple's constantly hiring retail staff.
- Apple applicants for each retail jobs estimates around 200.
- That's right, you'll need to out-perform 199 other people to get that coveted Apple ID badge.

Secrets To Getting A Job At Apple, Google Or Microsoft

Start Something
- Launching a small tech company, or just a project, can demonstrate virtually everything a tech firm wants to see.

Create an Online Portfolio


- A simple web site with a description of your major accomplishments can provide more context than what your resume can provide.
- Recruiters might stumble across your portfolio online and give you a call.

Get Out There (And Online)


- Attending tech events will help to build your network, but don't forget about the online channels.
- Recruiters search for potential candidates on blogs comments, industry forums and Twitter.
- Being active on online can be an excellent way to catch a recruiter's attention.

Reasons Your Current Resume Will Never Get You A Job At Apple Or Google

You didn't go to an elite college
- Where you went to school does matter to the tech giants.
- There are exceptions, but an Ivy League or other top university will get you noticed.

You were a waitress instead of an intern when you were 19


- Most students who want to graduate with jobs know they need to get a relevant internship while they're in school.

You aren't a generalist


- If you want to work at one of the top tech companies, it helps to have at least a basic understanding of multiple positions in the organization.

You're a bad writer


- Writing and communications skills aren't just necessary for media jobs.
- They're important in any career you'll have.

Study! Study! Study!


- Obviously, competition is fierce, so you'll need to get yourself noticed!
- It should go without saying that Apple won't hire you unless you're up to speed on the latest and greatest tech.

Insider's Guide to Getting a Job at Apple (3)

Insider's Guide to Getting a Job at Apple (2024)

FAQs

What are the odds of getting hired by Apple? ›

Truth be told, only a mere 0.5% of applicants make it to the hiring stage. And, if you're going into the Apple interview process blind, your chances are even slimmer. Getting ready for an Apple interview? Learn how to source a referral at Apple to increase your chances of getting an interview or job.

Why do you want to work for Apple answers? ›

Example #1: Focus on Quality and Simplicity

With this in mind, here's what a potential answer that includes this general motivator might look like: “I want to work for Apple because I admire the company's consumer first approach and attitude towards keeping products simple.

Is it hard to get hired as an Apple specialist? ›

Yes, it is hard to get a job at Apple if you do not have the required experience and education. You have to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma to work for Apple; however, most positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and several years of experience.

What is the success rate of Apple interviews? ›

The success rate of Apple on-site interviews is considered to be around 10%. The on-site interview can be tiring with more than 6 hours of interviews, but you have to remain focused as it is a test of your patience and perseverance as well.

Does Apple negotiate salary? ›

The Apple recruiter might tell you that if they know your salary expectations then they can try to find the best deal for both you and their team. But remember that they work for Apple, not you. If you share a lower compensation than what they can offer, they are more likely to offer you that low compensation.

Is Apple harder to get into than Harvard? ›

It's apparently significantly easier to get admitted to Harvard University than it is to get a job at the Apple Store.

How do you ace an Apple interview? ›

To prepare for your Apple interview:
  1. Prepare a few examples of your most proud work accomplishments that you can share when asked behavioral questions.
  2. If you are interviewing for a technical role, be prepared to answer specific technical questions and complete a test assessment to showcase your skills.
Jan 13, 2023

What is Apple looking for in an employee? ›

According to Cook, Apple looks for people who have a strong opinion and can debate and defend their point of view because they want to make things better. “People that don't accept the status quo.” This goes back to Steve Jobs and the famous 'think different' ad campaign.

What's the best way to get a job at Apple? ›

Network. One of the best ways to get a job at Apple is by building a strong network with the tech industry. If you want a shot at working at Apple, you should attend tech networking events and meet people who are connected to the company. Networking is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door.

How many interviews does Apple do for specialist? ›

3 total interviews. Phone interview. Group interview (3-4 people and final 1-1 interview.

What position pays the most at Apple? ›

The highest paying jobs at Apple are project engineering manager, expert, home advisor, and team leader. Project engineering manager jobs at Apple earn an average yearly salary of $167,090, Apple expert jobs average $155,946, and Apple home advisor jobs average $154,331.

How many rounds of interview at Apple? ›

Expect 5 to 10 rounds of 1 on 1 interviews asking questions of different expects of your experience, case studies and technical knowledge. Best to prepare and schedule ahead. Some reading of mechanical engineer basics is recommended e.g. beams. The most difficult part for me is the design challenge review presentation.

How long does it take to hear back from Apple after an interview? ›

THE OFFER / NO offer

At this stage, you can expect to hear from your recruiter within a week. However, if you don't hear from them, it's best to send them a friendly reminder email so that you stay top of mind for them. From the first contact to the offer, you can expect the whole process to take about 1.5 to 2 months.

What does Apple look for in background check? ›

Apple only seeks information about convictions which we are legally entitled to know about, which are defined as “not protected”. Apple will discuss the content of any adverse criminal records check with you before withdrawing an offer of employment.

How long does it take Apple to make a hiring decision? ›

How long is the Apple Interview Process? The first step in acing your Apple interview is understanding what to expect during the process. The process generally takes between 1.5 and 2 months depending on the position you are interviewing for.

What school does Apple hire the most from? ›

In perhaps the least surprising news from the study, Stanford University has the highest number of alumni (16,326) who have been employed at top tech destinations such as Google, Amazon, and Apple. University of California Berkeley, just across the Bay, is a close second with 16,124.

What percentage off do Apple employees get? ›

Apple employees get 25% off for themselves.

As an Apple employee, you can get 25% off one of each product in the store every year.

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