How to Get a Job at Apple [+ Interview Guide]

If you’re wondering how to get a job at Apple, you’re not alone: it’s widely recognised as an amazing place to work. From iPhones to AirPods, Apple’s products are everywhere, and they’ve made an extraordinary impact on technology. It’s also famous for its creative, innovation-driven workplace culture, where staff are encouraged to think outside the box – and then throw out the box altogether.

But positions at Apple are in high demand, and the interview process demands some serious preparatory work. If you’ve dreamed of working for Apple since you bought your first iPod in 2001, you could be in for a rude awakening if you don’t do your research beforehand. So how can you get ready to make a strong, competitive application to Apple?

You’ve come to the right place to find out! In this article, we’ll cover the following points:

• The challenges of getting a job at Apple
• What to expect from the Apple hiring process
• How to get hired to work at the Apple Store
• How to get a job at Apple with no experience
• Apple cover letters
• Apple resumes

How Hard is it to Get a Job at Apple?

To gauge how difficult it is to get hired to work for Apple, you need to balance several factors – the hiring rate at Apple, the intense competition for interviews, and the famously rigorous interview process.

As a large company, Apple sees fairly consistent financial growth. This means it can afford to hire regularly, which in turn means that there are usually jobs available at Apple. Given time and a little patience, you’re highly likely to find Apple advertising for a role that suits your skills and experience.

On the other hand, Apple is considered a highly desirable place to work. The culture encourages creativity and collaboration; the benefits and pay are very competitive; and the opportunities for professional development are hard to beat. It’s also a big deal to have a big name like Apple on your resume – it shows potential future employers that Apple considered you to be the best of the best in your field.

As a direct result, competition for roles at Apple can be intense. This is particularly true for technical roles, which are highly sought after. Only about 2% of would-be engineers are able to progress beyond Apple’s demanding technical interview rounds!

For qualified candidates who are prepared to put the necessary time and effort into making a competitive application, the chances of success when applying to work at Apple are higher. But you need to be aware that you will have stiff competition for every role you apply to – and you need to work as hard as you can to set yourself apart from other applicants. What to Expect When Applying for Jobs at Apple Apple can afford to be selective, with every position in such high demand! As such, you need to make sure that your application meets and exceeds every hiring standard. Otherwise, you could be outperformed by other applicants.

Here’s a rough guide to what you can expect from the Apple hiring process, to help you prepare your winning application.

Online Application

First of all, you’ll need to create a profile on Apple’s Jobs website. You can do this using your Apple ID – which, if you are a regular user of Apple’s products, you probably already have! Once you’ve signed in, you can complete an online form to provide information about yourself and your work history.

This section will also contain some questions about your motivation for wanting to work at Apple. Remember, ‘I stumbled across an ad’ isn’t the answer they’re looking for, and neither is ‘the pay looks great.’ Read up on Apple’s work and culture, identify the aspects that speak to you, and write about why they resonate with your own work style and career goals.

Make sure this aspect of your application is as strong as it can be, and keep all your answers in line with the job description – as well as Apple’s company values. At this stage, Apple will be looking for any reason not to take your application forward. Don’t give them any reason to doubt your experience, your skills, or your commitment to the role you want.

Phone Interview and Assessment

If you make it past the online application stage, you’ll be asked to schedule a phone interview with Apple. The purpose of this interview is to establish whether or not you have the skills and competency to work for Apple. Have a copy of your resume to hand, and be prepared to answer some common behavioral interview questions.

There’s an extra stage here for candidates applying for technical roles – the coding interview, which takes place remotely and is designed to test your coding skills in real time. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, so recruiters can watch your approach to problem-solving. You may also be asked some technical questions, so make sure you brush up on your coding and algorithmic knowledge beforehand!

After the phone interview, you’ll be asked to complete an online assessment. This is intended to assess whether you can work as part of a team, and to gauge how you would fare as an Apple employee. Again, it’s important to keep Apple’s company values in mind – they want to see whether you’re a cultural fit, so make sure you understand the company culture before you begin.

In-Person Interview

Making it to the in-person interview is a serious achievement in its own right. If you get this far, you’ll be invited to meet the hiring manager in person to make a case for yourself as the right candidate. While other large companies sometimes spend a full work day interviewing candidates, with many hour-long interview rounds per applicant, Apple’s process is relatively short and sweet: you get one chance to make a great impression.

This is an opportunity to explain in more depth why you think you are the right fit for the role. Revisit the job description and person specification before you go in, and make sure you cite relevant experience from your work history where appropriate. If you’re applying for a technical role, you may be asked some more technical questions, so be ready to answer as thoroughly as you can.

This is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the role. Remember, asking the right questions can make you look attentive and engaged – both great things to be, when applying for a company that values problem-solving and teamwork! Make a note of any questions you have before your interview, and don’t be afraid to ask.

How to Get a Job at the Apple Store

Apple Stores are the public face of Apple. If you’ve ever visited an Apple Store, you know how much pride the company takes in its gorgeous displays and its top-tier customer service. But as with any Apple role, jobs in Apple retail are ultra-competitive, and can be difficult to get.

When applying for a role at an Apple Store, you’ll need to make an online application first. If you pass that stage, you’ll be invited to schedule a phone interview – then to attend between two and six in-person interviews, some of which will take place in groups. Here are a few tips to give you an edge as you work through this long and stringent application process. Get a Referral It might seem unfair, but it’s a fact: if a current Apple Store employee offers you a referral, you’re far more likely to be invited to attend at least one interview. Knowing someone on the inside – particularly at the management level – can be a huge advantage.

Reach out to everyone you know, and ask if they know a current Apple Store employee – you may be surprised at the results! If you’re lucky enough to be introduced to an Apple Store employee as a result of this networking, remember to be respectful when asking for a referral. They aren’t obligated to give you anything; the best you can do is explain as clearly as possible why you want the job, and why you believe you are the right fit.

If you can’t find a referral, don’t give up! Proceed with your application as normal, and keep in mind that you will have to work extra hard to shine.

Know the Products

A big part of any role at the Apple Store is – unsurprisingly – selling the company’s products to customers. In order to sell with authority, you will need to have a strong working knowledge of the products. That means it’s time to do your homework, and get to know the products that Apple makes and sells.

While this can give you an edge, it isn’t the whole story. Apple develops new products all the time, so your research will quickly fall out of date. What the company is really looking for is a willingness and an ability to learn new things, so you can keep up with the information that customers will want.

Building a strong understanding of Apple products will show hiring managers that you’re prepared to learn on the job. In a tight competition for limited roles, that will give you a real advantage.

Be Prepared for Group Interviews

If you reach the later stages of the hiring process, you can expect to attend some group interviews with other candidates. If you haven’t participated in group interviews before, this can be daunting. However, if you know what Apple’s hiring managers are looking for, you’ll find that a group interview is a great way to demonstrate some of those qualities.

To work at the Apple Store, you need to demonstrate both leadership abilities and a willingness to work as a team. You will need to be friendly and polite to your fellow candidates, but also take every chance you can to communicate your point of view. Be respectful, calm and confident, and you will stand out as a great retail employee.

Showcase Your Personality

To be successful in retail, you need to have the kind of personality that can engage customers instantly. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who combine charm, enthusiasm, and a sincere willingness to help. That’s what you need to bring to the table when interviewing for a role at the Apple Store.

It might sound simplistic, but the best way to be competitive when applying for these roles is to be yourself. Be friendly, genuine and positive throughout, and show the hiring managers that you are the kind of person that will help their store to thrive. You might be surprised by how far a winning personality can take you!

How to Get a Job at Apple With No Experience

You don’t necessarily need past experience to work for Apple, even if you’re applying for non-retail positions. If you’re a new graduate, or if you’ve never worked in the tech industry before, you can still take some important steps to make sure your application is competitive! Here are just a few ways to stand out from your competition.

Improve Your Skills

No matter how much experience you have, you can always do more to build your relevant skills before job-searching. Online certifications and courses are widely available at a range of price points, and can boost your credentials while also helping you to develop new skills. Whether you want to get better at softer skills like leadership or communication, or hard skills like coding, there’s a course out there that can help you grow even further.

If you’re in college, your careers center may be able to advise you on training sessions and courses available to students at your school. If you’re already in work, it’s worth talking to your manager about your professional development. There may be opportunities for you to participate in workplace training, to set you up for future success.

Taking the time to proactively build your skills will also show any hiring manager that you are a self-starter, with the motivation necessary to succeed. Particularly for a company like Apple, which is looking for the best of the best, that’s a great quality to be able to demonstrate. Make sure your skills are front and center on your resume, and let them do the talking.

Create Your Own Experience

If you’re applying for technical roles at Apple, and you don’t have any past work experience in software engineering or coding, you will find yourself at a real disadvantage. Fortunately, there’s a solution – work on your own coding projects, even if you have to do it on your own time.

Being able to point to something you’ve developed and produced yourself will give recruiters a clear indication of your technical prowess. It will form a topic of conversation at interview, and help to clarify your skill level in the absence of past technical work on your resume. You can also give yourself an extra edge by working as a freelance coder or developer, if you can bring your coding skills up to standard.

Just like developing your skills, creating your own work experience shows that you’re proactive and self-motivated. It can also teach you some important skills in its own right! Whether you’re learning a new coding language or drafting emails to chase up unpaid invoices, you’ll be able to point to all of that experience in your interview.

Talk to Your Network

Let’s be realistic: networking alone won’t be enough to land you the job of your dreams at Apple. But if you know someone on the inside, you have a reliable source of information about the company culture and the application process. That knowledge can give you a real edge when preparing to make your application.

If you’re a new graduate, you may not have much of a professional network yet. However, you still have access to your school’s alumni network – so reach out and ask for advice! If you’re lucky enough to find an Apple employee through this channel, they may well have an investment in helping a fellow alum succeed.

If you already have work experience in another industry, consider casting your net a little wider than your existing network. Ask your friends and family if they know anyone with experience working for Apple – and if that fails, ask your professional contacts if they can put you in touch with anyone, too. You never know who might have the connection you need!

Be Persistent!

As we’ve already discussed, roles at Apple can be competitive. You’re more likely to be knocked back than you are to be accepted, particularly if you’re applying for technical roles. It’s important to be prepared for that possibility, and to be ready to learn from it.

Remember, every failure is an opportunity to do better next time. Keep building your skills and experience, and keep refining your resume. If you’re prepared to take rejection in stride without being deterred, you will stand a much stronger chance of obtaining your dream role – even if you have to wait a little while to get there.

Apple Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Apple Store Cover Letter Example

Apple Software Engineer Resume Example

Apple Store Resume Example