30 Apple Interview Questions ( +Answers)

15 Apple Answer Examples

1.

Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

The interviewer would like to know your thoughts on being paid based on your work performance, versus being compensated solely on your years of experience. As millennial employees continue to dominate the work scene, more and more employees are requesting compensation based on delivered results. Do you feel that you should be paid based on tenure, or results? Discuss this with the interviewer and back your answer with an example, if possible.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I feel that employees should be paid, and rewarded, based on their performance. A new employee will find motivation in being rewarded for performance, and it encourages a healthy competition with tenured employees."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"As a manager of people myself, I feel that both performance and experience should be weighted when deciding compensation, pay increases, and promotions. You want to ensure that you compensate your highest performers appropriately but that their growth is stable and manageable in the long-term. Could you share with me how Apple rewards stellar employee performance?"

Anonymous Answer

"In a perfect world, an employee with both work experience and performance would get the job. If I had to choose one over the other, I would choose performance. The reason is that work performance shows an employee's drive, focus, and commitment to his or her duties in a role. The employee takes their job seriously and cares about their contribution to a team."

Lauren's Answer

You have a great premise, but note that the question relates to reward versus landing the job. I altered the language slightly to address the slight discrepancy.

"In a perfect world, an employee would be rewarded for their experience and performance. I, however, believe performance should be rewarded over experience. Work performance displays an employee’s ability to remain steadfast in their drive, focus, and commitment. A strong performance indicates Personal Responsibility and a high level of care for their work and contribution to the team."

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2.

What does greatness, and success, mean to you?

This question is a discovery-based inquiry, genuinely focused on how you think versus what you do. Go with your initial instinct when it comes to how you define success and greatness. There is no right or wrong answer, but do give a reply that is insightful and well thought out.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"To me, greatness and success means achieving the goals that you set for yourself. I know the sense of accomplishment when I can make that work, and it makes me feel like I am on top of the world."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"To me, success comes when you accomplish a goal, and that needs to be something specific that you have your eyes set on. I often encourage my team to set specific goals for themselves. Second, greatness ties into that because without believing that you are great, you will not likely succeed and meet your goals!"

Anonymous Answer

"Regarding work, greatness is achieved when someone is successful in their career. A career spans many years and may include many companies. It includes job performance, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work well with others."

Lauren's Answer

Good start. It is helpful to include verbiage in the question to fully respond. In order to stand out as a candidate, I would also take opportunities to provide your take on the question and how it relates to you as an employee. See below.

"In a work aspect, Greatness can be achieved when an employee deems themselves as successful in their role. Success can be measured by the person’s growth in expanding their knowledge and skillset throughout their career. A career accrues mastery as it builds upon itself over time. Success can also relate to job performance, accolades, work ethic, and the ability to work well with others. Presently, I deem Greatness and Success as working for an employer where I can display my skills and offers me opportunities to grow. I believe this position offers highly sought after career growth."

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3.

What questions do you have for me?

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the Apple website and other online resources to ensure the queries you have are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of items you could have found the answers for from merely watching a video on their website!

Here are some sample questions:

- When would you like to have this position filled?
- How long has this role been vacant?
- Is this a replacement search or a newly created role?
- What is your favorite part about working for Apple?
- What is Apple's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months?
- Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you?
- What do you see as the most significant change in tech over the past three years?
- Is there any reason why you would not hire me?

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I would like to ask if there is anything in my background on which you need clarification? Also, after discussing everything today, is there any particular reason why I would not be the best fit for this Market Leader role?"

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Thank you for asking! A couple of questions come to mind. What do you see as the biggest challenge Apple will be facing in the next 12 months? Also, what is your employee turnover rate, and could you tell me a bit about the diversity and inclusion plan you have in place, at this specific location?"

Anonymous Answer

"I'd like to know what a typical day looks like in this role. What are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed and managed first vs. the more in-depth projects that take more time? Who would this role be working most closely with? When would you like to have this position filled? What does this position pay?"

Lauren's Answer

These are great questions. I’ve helped with condensing your response.

"I have general questions regarding daily tasks, and who I would be working alongside and reporting to. I would also like to know the timeline of when you would like to fill the position as well as the salary range."

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4.

Have you ever needed Apple customer support? If so, describe your experience.

Apple is known for their unmatched level of customer support. They even have their own acronym!

APPLE:

- Approach customers with a personalized, warm welcome.
- Probe politely to understand the customer's needs (ask closed and open-ended questions).
- Present a solution for the customer to take home today.
- Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns.
- End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return.

The interviewer would like to know what your experience has been with their company. Of course, your response should remain positive. If you did not have a great customer service experience with Apple, you can be honest but be sure to end on a positive note.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I have heard many excellent things about Apple customer service. Personally, I have had three amazing experiences and one average one which was a one-off. I had called a few times after receiving error codes that I was unable to figure out on my own. The wait time was short and the agent, knowledgeable and energetic."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Thankfully, my Apple devices have always worked seamlessly. I like that you have various support methods and I hear that the wait time is quite short."

5.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

This question isn't a trick question and, there indeed is no right or wrong answer. The interviewer would like to see how far you dig for your response. Your reply will show them just how insightful you can be! This question is a famous Apple interview question so be prepared to have some fun with it.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"If I could have one superpower, it would be to see into the future. This way, I could innovate technology solutions around what I knew would be happening down the road. I could solve the problems of the future."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"I would choose the power teleport. This way, I could fly anywhere around the world in an instant. I would love to see what other cultures are doing, what people need, the resources they could share, and how we could collaborate to make the world a better place."

6.

Apple has some of the most loyal customers in the world. How would you define a loyal customer?

People are either iPhone or Android; PC or Mac. You will rarely find a techie who doesn't have a solid opinion one way or another. When Apple comes out with a new product, there are lineups and people camping outside overnight. Sometimes, customers line up for days. Now, that is customer loyalty! Discuss with the interviewer what customer loyalty means to you. Be sure to express your interest in fostering and guarding those fantastic client relationships that Apple has created over the years.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I know that when the iPhone X announcement came out, it became available to pre-order and sold out within minutes. Not many companies can say they sell out in pre-order phase. It's incredible to see how loyal customers are to the Apple brand. I would define loyalty like that as blind faith. Your customers know they will love your product. Often, they don't ask questions; they hand over their money because they are keenly aware of the quality and guarantee that comes with investing in an Apple product."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Apple products are known for being the best in the world. Your customers know that every release will be exciting and innovative. I would define a loyal customer by their willingness to pay a lot of money to have the latest and greatest technology, from a specific brand like Apple."

7.

We encourage innovation at Apple. What does innovation mean to you?

Apple has 11 rules for their employees, related to innovation and success:

- Let go of the old, make the most of the future.
- Always tell the truth, we want to hear the bad news sooner than later.
- The highest level of integrity is expected. When in doubt, ask.
- Learn to be a good businessperson, not just a good salesperson.
- Everyone sweeps the floor.
- Be professional in your style, speech, and follow-up.
- Listen to the customer; they almost always get it.
- Create win/win relationships with our partners.
- Look out for each other, sharing information is a good thing.
- Don't take yourself too seriously.
- Have fun; otherwise, it's not worth it.

Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have embodied some of these principles of innovation and success.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I agree with Apple's 11 rules of success and believe that innovation comes from letting go of the old, and making the most of the future. Also, when you have fun with what you do, you can be at your most innovative. In a nutshell, innovation - to me - means looking at things differently than expected."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"To me, innovation means being someone who thrives on change and has a mission that matters. Innovation can mean creating a new and powerful idea, and it can also mean simplifying an existing one."

8.

What are Apple's primary values, and how do they align with your core values?

The interviewer is checking to see how much research you have done on Apple, before your interview. Because Apple is a world-renowned company, it should be easy for you to find information on their core values.

Here are some notes from Tim Cook, CEO of Apple:

- We believe that we're on the face of the Earth to make great products.
- We believe in the simple, not the complex.
- We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products we make.
- We participate only in markets where we can make a significant contribution.
- We believe in saying no to thousands of projects so that we can really focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful to us.
- We believe in deep collaboration and cross-pollination of our groups, which allow us to innovate in a way that others cannot.
- We don't settle for anything less than excellence in every group in the company, and we have the self-honesty to admit when we're wrong and the courage to change.

Now, think about how these core values align with your professional mission. Keep your answer heartfelt and thoughtful.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I have read the core values and mission of Apple many times over. The one point that resonates deeply with me is that Apple believes in the simple, and not the complex. The simpler the product, the more people you will reach. Also, I appreciate that you do not settle for anything less than excellence. This mentality is one that brought me to graduating top of my class, and making the honor roll all through high school."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Apple's core values are all-encompassing. The points that truly hit home for me were your belief in deep collaboration and participating only where you can make a significant contribution. It's important to me that I work in an industry I bring a passion for, so I can be highly engaged in every step of my career. I too believe in deep collaboration with my coworkers and clients alike. It's amazing what we can achieve when we work together."

9.

What part of your career brings you the most stress?

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position (ex: a retail associate should not find talking to strangers to be the most stressful part of the job).

Rachelle's Answer #1

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind for no good reason other than lack of hustle on my team's part. I like to be on time with our schedule to ensure that our clients receive proper assistance."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"I find that the primary stressor in my current position is the fact that my team is not as reliable as I would like. For this reason, I am seeking a new opportunity, within a professional environment, with a team who values their jobs as much as I do."

10.

The environment is fast-paced and challenging at Apple. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?

Apple stores are usually brimming with customers, all who have unique needs. The interviewer would like to be sure that you can handle the pressure of being needed in more than one place at once. When you feel torn between multiple projects or tasks, how do you decide which one needs your attention the most? Assure the interviewer that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"First and foremost, I will prioritize projects that most closely align with the company's strategic goals and have the highest potential to affect the company's bottom line. Also, I often determine which projects require my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I under delivered on a deadline."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I analyze each to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact. From there, I make my decision on where to focus first."

11.

Apple celebrates diversity. In which ways do you honor those different from you?

Diversity and inclusion are celebrated topics at Apple, and the interviewer would like to know that you share this mindset. Apple states that 'Humanity is plural, not singular. The best way the world works is everybody in. Nobody out.'

Apple believes that:

- Diverse teams make innovation possible.
- Depending on the contributions of outstanding women leaders is essential.
- Diversity is their future.
- Every point of progress makes a significant impact.
- Pay equity is simply the right thing to do.
- LGBTQ rights are human rights.
- The most powerful technology should be accessible to everyone.
- A more diverse future begins with opportunities in education.
- Technology for everyone should be made by everyone.
- Their commitment to diversity extends to their suppliers.

Share with the interviewer the ways that you celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"As a visible minority myself, I make a conscious effort to include others in learning about my unique culture. Also, I am broad-minded with it comes to the needs and differences of others. Diversity to me is not simply a matter of culture but also of gender identity, age, and more. I am conscious of being sensitive to others in every action that I take in the workplace."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"I appreciate the open and transparent effort that Apple makes when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and greatly appreciate the Diversity Network Associations (DNA) you have put in place. I embrace those different from me and utilize those differences as learning opportunities. I am sensitive to the needs of others and empathetic to the fact that everyone walks a different path, whether that be related to gender identity, sexual orientation, heritage, and more."

12.

How have Apple products influenced your life?

The interviewer wants to know more than just what products you enjoy, but how they have directly impacted your life. Apple is known for making products that seriously change the way their customers do things. Perhaps Apple products have helped you to get fit, taught you how to make creative and beautiful designs, or have saved you hours of precious time. However, Apple products have influenced your life, be sure to express your excitement for them.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I have a multitude of Apple products including the latest iPhone and the newest Apple watch. The Apple watch truly has changed how I perform during my day. The reminders are helpful, and now I never miss an important message. I am eager to share these life-altering products with the customers that come to me for help."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"Apple products have changed the way I do business. For instance, Apple products allow me to be much more efficient with my time by answering emails on the go, and downloading helpful apps to keep my passwords safe and notes organized."

13.

As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

When it comes to management roles, Apple looks for people who make 'Apple simplicity' look easy, even though it can be a very complicated concept. They look for managers with demonstrated leadership abilities in customer-facing sales settings. Apple also desires managers with a passion for technology and, more specifically, Apple products.

Everyone has his/her weaknesses, and that is OK. Talk to the hiring manager about what you feel you could work on the most, and what you are doing about it. Avoid discussing a weakness that could be detrimental to you securing the position.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"As a manager, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been known to continue trying to nurture people when they are overdue for termination. I have taken a couple of management training classes focused on this area, and I'm also working with an industry mentor. My ability to be objective with underperforming employees is certainly strengthening."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"I could improve my technical skills when it comes to Numbers and Keynote. I have all the basics covered, but when it comes to more complicated formulas or visualization of data, I don't have much experience. To remedy this, I have enrolled in a course for next month, and my goal is to come out of that experience as a more intermediate user."

14.

Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?

Perhaps you have led a club at work, been a coach for a youth sports team, or were on the advisory board for a non-profit organization. You should always be prepared to show the interviewer that you have a natural ability to lead others. Whether you have led a group of 500 or a team of 2, you must display to the interviewer that you are capable of handling the responsibility that comes with being a leader and mentor.

Talk about your desire to be a leader. Share with the interviewer that you strive to be a role model for others. Explain that you jump at the opportunity to lead groups, encourage your counterparts, and be a face of the organization when challenges arise.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"In my current position, I am the president of the social committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentor-ship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"I certainly do see myself as a leader. Not only have I managed a team in two prior roles, but also I believe that leadership does not always equate to management. I am sure to lead at all times by providing the best model of enthusiasm and work ethic of the organization. I am open to new ideas and love to tackle a new project which, to me, embodies leadership."

15.

How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?

Even the most well-meaning coworkers can distract you from getting things done at work from time to time. The funny and entertaining coworkers who like to chat online and send YouTube videos are often the ones who can get in the way of your productivity if you let them. How do you respond? Show off your ability to set professional boundaries, when needed.

Rachelle's Answer #1

"I typically just set a kind, but clear, boundary and tell my coworker that I need to focus on my work at hand. I will sometimes offer an alternate time for a catch-up, over lunch for example. It is important for the sake of workplace culture to set aside time to be social with coworkers, so I usually just let them know when I'll be available for a quick break in the day."

Rachelle's Answer #2

"If I have a distracting co-worker, I will highlight the distraction right away while remaining kind. I feel it's always best to nip issues in the bud right away before they become out of control."

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Apple Interview Questions

30 Questions and Answers by Rachelle Enns

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