How to Get a Job at Apple: Job Application, Interview & More

With its logo, revolutionary electronics, and a deceased visionary CEO, Apple is one of the most famous companies in the world. So you may be wondering how to get a job at Apple and how is it to work there. 

To own an Apple product has been for long perceived as a sign of success and privilege — and the same goes for working at the company that makes them. 

In this article, you'll get to learn what positions at Apple are the most competitive and how much you can earn if you get them. 

You'll also find out what are the requirements for your acceptance, what should an Apple-worthy resume look like, and much more. 

The basics: about Apple

Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Its headquarters are located in California and over the last two decades, Apple has managed to become the largest tech company (by revenue). 

In fact, since June 2022, Apple is the world's biggest company by market capitalization. 

Apple is the most famous for producing: 

• iPhones
• iPods
• iPad
• MacBooks 
• Software 

Thanks to its clever branding — and, let's be honest, inaccessibility — Apple has one of the most loyal brand customers. 

On the other hand, Apple receives also a lot of criticism. That is due to their business ethics, material sourcing, impact on the environment, and also the way Apple constructors are treated in their factories located outside of the U.S. 

It’s not all bad news, though. And there are plenty of jobs within Apple that will both satisfy you and also enhance the “work experience” section on your resume. 

And if you work in the corporate, many praise the Apple work culture. 

So scroll to the next chapter to see which job positions are available to you at Apple. 

Apple job positions

Apple is a massive company with offices and shops located all around the world. This means that they offer truly a wide range of jobs. 

But with Apple being a tech firm, most positions are — surprise surprise — IT-related. These are also among the best-paid ones. 

Some of the most commonly advertised Apple jobs are in: 

• Software engineering
• Marketing 
• Business development 
• Supply chain 
• Hardware architecture
• Support and services 
• Retail Assistant/Manager
• Design
• Finance
• AI 
• etc. 

Apple internships 

Like many other corporates, Apple offers job and training opportunities for students. The most common form of employment for students are Apple's undergraduate internships.

Alternatively, as a student, you can also get a job in Apple retail. 

Part-time employment is also possible, both for students and non-students. 

What are Apple's hiring requirements? 

Apple's hiring preferences are based on the position that you want to apply for. 

For a junior position in technical support and sales assistant in the Apple store you need to: 

• Be at least 18
• Have a high-school diploma
• Receive Apple training

For a store manager positions: 

• To have basic age and high-school diploma requirements
• Have 5 years of experience in a similar position

Employees in corporate positions: 

• Must have appropriate education. Bachelor's degree is often considered a minimum, master's or Ph.D. degrees will come in handy.
• Experience is also a must. The longer, the better. Yuu need at least 5 years of experience in the field.

And finally, software developers: 

• Should have a portfolio of your works ready
• Having at least a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree is preferred
• Should posses extensive experience in the field and great problem-solving abilities

Is it hard to get a job at Apple? 

Thanks to its well-established name and well-crafted brand image, Apple doesn't have any shortage of job applications. 

However, the difficulty of landing a job there heavily depends on which position you're applying for. 

For instance, only 2% of job candidates who apply for a job in software engineering land the job. 

Also, you have to be an experienced professional. You won't find many 22-year-old graduates walking around Apple Head Quarters. 

Most corporate and IT Apple employees have at least 2 (but ideally more than 5) years of experience.

How to apply for a job at Apple

So now that you know what positions are out there, let's see how you can apply for a job at Apple: 

1. Your first step should be going to the Apple careers page to see all the available positions. 
2. Here, you can search for the perfect job position using the filter located on the left side of the page. Filter the jobs based on your location, team, language skills, or keyword. 
3. If you see a job posting that could be a good match for you, click on it and see the job description and requirements. 
4. Once you decide to proceed with your application, select “Submit Resume.”
5. Then you must create an Apple account. Alternatively, you can use your pre-existing Apple ID to continue in your application process. 
6. Then it's time for you to fill in the online application. You'll have to answer questions regarding your education, academic results, and work experience. You also may be asked about your motivation to work for Apple. 
7. For software engineers as well as designers it's also necessary to prepare and upload a sizable portfolio of your previous work. 
8. Now it's time to wait. If your online application was successful, congrats. Now you can start getting ready for the first interview round.

How to prepare for a job interview at Apple

Depending on which position you're aiming for, the difficulty of the Apple admission process varies. 

Generally speaking though, expect multiple rounds of interviews:

1. The first round of interviews is usually a phone screening.
2. If the phone conversation was successful and the recruiter liked you, you'll be most likely asked to visit the Apple Assessment Centre. Here, you can expect to go through several types of exercises, including group ones (for them to see how you work within a team), role play, and written exercises. 
3. If you pass all the excercises, you can look towards the final interview. Be prepared, it lasts several hours and it's known to be highly challenging. 

What do Apple interviews look like?

The look of apple interviews depends on the position that one applies for. For some jobs, one must successfully deal with coding or problem solving excercises. For others, answering the usual interview questions should be enough. 

Take a look below to see what you can expect based on the Apple career trajectory: 

• If you're applying for a position in retail, then you don't have to worry about performing excercises during your interview process. But you still want to make sure that you're truly well-prepared. You can do so by practicinng your answers to some of the most common Apple interview questions:

• If you're looking for a position in software engineering, definitely expect multiple rounds of interviews and a truly challenging selection process. Once you pass the initial phone screening, in the next interiew round, you'll be able to demonstrate your coding skills. However, it also matters if you're aiming for a junior, or a senior position. While for a junior position you'll be required to showcase your coding abilities, for a senior software developer you'll have to have an advanced knowledge of design, rather than coding. 

Some of the exercises may look like this: 

• When you apply for a role in corporate, one of the most important things to do is to demonstrate your passion for technologies. Show that you care for the Apple final product. Additionally, if you want to work in positions such as business development, during your interview, you'll have to do exercises during which you'll use mental math. 

Finally, when it comes to the Apple interview dress code, the key to success is not overdoing it. Apple has a well-known casual approach to professional wear. 

Be clean, brush your hair, but don't wear a suit. A nice pair of trousers or a skirt should do it. 

After the interview is over, never forget to send a brief and polite “thank you” email. 

Apple resume and cover letter tips (+examples)

Apple resume tips

• Make your resume ATS-friendly. Use strong keywords that fit the job description. You can place in either a separate keyword section or the skills section. 

• Use bullet points when describing details. They make your resume look orderly and airy. 
• Quantify your achievements. This shows concrete results of your work. It also makes you look really professional. 
• If you're applying for a job in software engineering, focus on the skills section. It’s one of the most important parts of your resume. Show how familiar you are with different coding languages, as you need an advanced knowledge of at least two.
• Don't forget about the professional summary! It’s the first thing that the recruiter reads and if you write it well, you just cought their attention. 
• If you're applying for a software development position, don't forget to include a link to a  portfolio of your best works. 

Resume sample that got a real person hired at Apple

Once you know the theory, it's also helpful to take a look at how these resume elements look applied in practice. 

Disclaimer: The resume sample below was kindly provided to us by a real person who used a Kickresume resume template and then got hired by Apple. The resume was later anonymized. 

So — what did “Allan” do right? 

• Take a look at the extensive profile summary section. Even though it's a little longer than we would normally advise, this section serves as an eye-catching introduction.
• Nice template. It's colorful and original, yet still professional. 
• Good division and order of the sections. Usually, starting with work experience is the best thing to do. 
• Usage of bullet points. Thanks to them, the resume looks orderly and airy. 
• Including skills and strength sections. (Click on the sample and scroll down if you want to see them). Not only do these two sections allow you to show exactly what you can do, but you can also pack them with ATS-friendly words. It’s a win-win. 

Apple cover letter tips

Unlike many other tech companies, Apple wants you to submit a cover letter. And since youre facing fierce competition, it needs to be top-notch! This is how you’ll ensure it: 

• Make it max 3-4 paragraphs long. For sure don’t make it longer than 6! 
• The ideal number of words does not exceed 350. 
• Begin with a catchphrase and your major achievements right away. Remember the number of applications that Apple receives. You want to make sure you catch the recruiter’s attention immediately! 
• The place for mentioning your previous employment is in the second or third paragraph. In other words, namedrop your previous employers somewhere around the middle of your cover letter. 
• Focus on describing the qualities that you possess that will match the job description.
• Don’t forget to thank the recruiter at the end and express high hopes for the future.

What is it like to work at Apple? Is it hard?

The company culture at Apple has been since its founding in the early 1970s seen as quite unorthodox. 

Steve Jobs was famously known for walking around without shoes on. So the company established itself as a somewhat fun and modern place to work. 

However, over the year, a lot has changed. While in 2012 Apple was considered the 10th best place to work, in 2022, it found itself in 56th place, according to Glassdoor. 

Thanks to the massive size of the company, your employment experience will greatly vary based on the location and also a given job position. 

Manufacturers in China will have a different experience of working for Apple than the software developer who stays in the California office. 

Speaking for the US worker, the experience of working for Apple is generally good. Here, Apple employees report enjoying the creative company culture, and especially the benefits that they're offered.

 Main benefits of working at Apple

• Health insurance
• Annual selected product (25%) and software (50%) discount 
• Wellness program 
• 12 days off for new employees, this number rises together with the length of employment
• Work-life balance 
• Discount on the company stocks 
• Great company culture full of fun 
• Prestige 

How much does Apple pay?

• The average salary at Apple including the bonus is $143.362, or $68 per hour. 

• The highest paying job at Apple goes to a Director of Engineering who earns $301,000 per year.
• The lowest salary is earned by a Sales Associate who gets $35,000 per year. 

Some final tips for working at Apple

• Outside of retail, most of the Apple employees are more mature — on average, they're in their 30s and 40s — so don't expect a very youthful crowd of co-workers. 
• Get ready to jump right into it — orientation at the office in Apple corporate lasts only for half a day.
• You don't have to worry about buying a new professional wardrobe. Apple's dress code is super casual. 

If you're no longer sure if Apple is the right fit for you, go and see if working at Google, Amazon, or NASA won't be a better idea!