Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
Career progression can be a sensitive subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and what you would like to see in the future with Apple.
"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be for my level of education, experience, and ambition. I am happy to start in a Technical Specialist role and eventually work my way into a Market Leader position, overseeing several Apple stores."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
There’s a saying “nothing ever goes to plan.” When I started my career, I planned to be a boring number cruncher. But fate had other ideas. Very early in my career, I was given the chance to manage a product under the mentorship of my manager. It was fun, like playing a complex game of Monopoly. So that part of my career went well for several years until I was put in a situation where I became self-employed. Now that wasn’t my plan at all, but it was such an amazing time in my career. It forced me to do sales and marketing, to take on projects that were outside my experience without a mentor to help me along. It made me self-sufficient. Then in 2009 I suddenly received an offer to move to Singapore. Once again I had never planned to leave Australia. But it opened my eyes to different cultural values and different opportunities. Without the unexpected, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Marcie's Feedback
Awesome! It sounds like you're open to change, adaptable, and a fast learner. Nice! Consider rephrasing 'I planned to be a boring number cruncher,' as it indicates that you had little ambition (even if that was true, you want to avoid giving that impression). Otherwise, your answer is great! Perhaps at the end tie it all up by mentioning that you're looking forward to the next stage in your career at Apple. Good job!
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