Full FeedWhat is it like to work for Apple?
I have never worked for Apple. I, however, am curious as to what it might be like to work for the company. So I did some research using some simple means—the internet, of course (we can believe everything we read on the internet right?), a telephone, and some word of mouth. This is what I found.
Apple offers a 401K plan, a stock purchase plan, education reimbursement, a 25% discount on Apple products, and paid vacation. Sounds good right? If you’re an on-staff developer. If you’re a designer. If you’re in field sales. What about the men and woman that greet us at the door at our local Apple store? Equal across the board. Some of our largest employers in the U.S. do not offer benefits to part-time employees. Nice lookin’ out, Apple. From what I can gather, most of the retail store employees, save Geniuses and management, are part-time employees. These part-time employees are part of a retail space that is competing with several big business electronics outlets. Several reports suggest that the pay is a little better, but that is not why they are there. Most of them love the technology. They are working part-time to get their foot in the door, or to make some money while in school, or just because they love to help people.
I’m a geek. I admit it. I have been employed by one of those electronics outlets (no names so as to protect the guilty) in a repair position. The difference is that I was there for a paycheck, not because I loved it. Apple’s employees seem to truly love what they do for a living. I got the opportunity to speak with someone from customer support. She told me that they have strict policies about divulging information on various things, but she was nice enough to answer a simple question. “Do you like working for Apple?” She said “I would not trade it for anything.” This type of attitude breeds nothing but good things for people like you and me. We get better customer service. We get a better buying experience, and, as most of us know, a fantastic atmosphere in an Apple store. But keep in mind the 10% rule, where 10% of the retail employees would tell me the complete opposite of what I have stated here. I’m sure it’s not all fun and games. Retail is hard work.
What is it like to work for Apple? Pretty cool if you ask me.
Learn more about job opportunities at Apple.
Subscribe to keep up with the latest Apple news and rumors! - 
Subscribe to our feed
Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
Our new podcast: Meet...
We know. Podcasts are so last year - but this one you won't want to miss. Whether it’s a rumor that won’t die, a new product announcement, or just a really good Macintosh or iPhone app find that we have to let you know about, we’ll make sure it’s covered on Appletellcast.
iPhone App Reviews
iPhone Apps. They were great when the App Store was first announced and we could all pick and chose what we wanted, but the number is now overwhelming. Here at Appletell, we'll detail the great iPhone apps we find, and steer you clear from those that aren't worth it even if they're free.
iPhone Game Reviews
As Apple turns the iPhone into one of the most popular gaming devices, the staff of Appletell--gamers and Apple fans alike--are here to help you get the most entertainment value out of your app store purchases.
I applied to work there part-time for the holidays for the reasons you said. I didn’t even ask if the pay was good. But alas, active Apple employees are not allowed to be active Apple bloggers or news writers, and with Macworld coming up, I was not willing to take a sabbatical. Maybe next year. I was really disappointed.
And maybe this will put it into perspective. A little holiday money is nice, but it isn’t like I desparately need it. I am a legal assistant with 13 years experience and already make a generous income. I am forty, not some young kid. But I was dying to work at the Apple Store for the 8 bucks an hour or whatever they pay (I really have no idea, that was a stab in the dark).
on November 16, 2008 at 12:28 PM - LINKthey pay 17 usd a hour
on November 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM - LINKApple has very unfair hiring practices and they brag how they have never paid unemployment for firing a person. they are constantly raising the requirements of the job and then firing those for performance reasons so they wont pay unemployment. They have a very large lawyer staff for a company so small.
on September 24, 2009 at 07:07 AM - LINKThey fire every year just to get new people in. They wont hire apple store employees over 40 but they will rotate in a few from other jobs just to prove they dont discriminate. That is a legal tactic they use to keep the EEOC on them
Those are some pretty severe charges. I regularly go to the three Apple stores that are within thirty minutes of me, and take lessons at the one that is almost an hour a way, and funny, I see the same older people there. So I am sorry, but that last claim smells a bit like bull.
I would love to see some proof of all your assertions actually. Some of them wouldn’t surprise me if true, but I am not going to just take your word for it, and I am pretty sure that last statement is patently untrue.
And something about an “active employee” talking smack about their employer just doesn’t sit right with me. Why don’t you quit?
And hmm are unemployment payments public record? I might just have to find out. You wouldn’t want me to show you proof that Apple has paid unemployment would you? Do you realize how outrageous you sound?
on September 24, 2009 at 07:13 AM - LINK