Here's what it's REALLY like to work in an Apple store by Jacquelyn Smith on Apr 1, 2016, 11:30 AM 
Apple is 40! Since the company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976, Apple has created and supported almost 2 million jobs in the US alone — and currently employs more than 76,000 people in North America. Almost half of those are retail employees working in Apple stores. Today the company has close to 265 retail stores across 44 states, and each location employs over 100 full- or part-time workers. According to Glassdoor, most of those employees agree that the 40-year-old Cupertino, California-based tech giant is a great place to work. Of course, every employee's experience is different — but we spoke with one former Apple "specialist" Albert Adolphus to find out what it was really like for him to work there. SEE ALSO: Here's what it's REALLY like to work at Bain, one of America's top employers  'I worked for Apple in a Connecticut store from October 2010 through May 2012 ... ' "My official title was 'specialist.' My job in the Apple retail store was to provide the customer with an informative and memorable purchasing experience. "Once the product was purchased it was our obligation to the consumer to have an amazing 'out of box' grand gesture, offering free personal training, and an immediate hands-on learning experience. "I left in the summer of 2012 due to an opportune business internship in California."
'Before Apple, I was working at Best Buy but wanted something more exciting.' "I have always loved Apple products and when looking for a new job, Apple stood out among the competitors. "I filled out Apple's online application, which consisted of a series of questions that I suppose helped them determine if I was 'Apple material.' "After submitting my application it was a waiting game. "Two weeks passed with no contact, so I decided I would visit the Apple Store in the Westfarms Mall in Connecticut. At the store I was introduced to a manager who explained that the following Saturday morning they were having a hiring event at 7 a.m., and she invited me to attend. "That following Saturday, bright and early, I headed over to the event, which was incredibly crowded. I saw at least 40 other possible candidates who seemed just as eager as I. "Apple employees welcomed us to the event with videos about Apple's achievements, and concluded with a written quiz on your knowledge of Apple product and its major software, like Pages, KeyNote, Numbers, Aperture, as well as Time Machine and others. We were thanked for coming and then excused once we had completed our quiz. "It was just a few days later when I received my first follow-up call. I spoke with a manager who asked when I'd be available for an interview, and we picked a time. "This interview would be the first of six. "Apple's hiring process included a one-on-one interview with each manager from the store, as well as with the district manager. After concluding the final interview I was informed that I had made the cut, and would be starting with the company the following week."
'Apple has a specially designed training program for all new employees, referred to as 'Core' training.' "Core training took place off-site and included 15 new employees like myself. It lasted 10 days and was always closely monitored by a manager and a store lead employee. "The next 10 days were essentially 'Apple boot camp.' We played ice-breaker games and learned everything Apple — history, achievements, programs, the the company's mission statement, benefits and stock options. "It was a month before any of us would be on the sales floor alone. "Once basic core training was completed, we each were assigned a veteran employee to 'shadow' — this person is supposed to be your mentor. Once they thought you had what it took, they would play the role of reverse shadow and would monitor your knowledge and professionalism on the job."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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