Apple is one of the largest retail and technology stores in the world.
They have individuals employed globally, and there are many jobs available for individuals interested in selling and servicing their products.
While there are many benefits or pros involved with working at the Apple Store, some cons are to be aware of before applying.
Anyone currently considering working for an Apple Store, keep reading to learn more about these pros and cons to help decide whether it’s the right career move.
Sponsored Search
Table of Contents
- Pros of Working at an Apple Store
- 1. Benefits
- 2. Rewarding
- 3. Challenging
- 4. Diversity
- 5. Education
- 6. Resume
- 7. Upward Mobility
- 8. Work in Any City
- Cons of Working at the Apple Store
- 1. Long Hours
- 2. No Work/Life Balance
- 3. Challenging to Stand Out
- 4. Too Many Managers
- 5. Too Much Work
- 6. Not Enough Time Off
- 7. Difficult Customers
- Pros and Cons of Working at an Apple Store – Summary Table
- Should You Work at an Apple Store?
Pros of Working at an Apple Store
Those who choose to work for Apple, particularly at an Apple Store, can obtain several benefits and many perks.
Consider the following pros to help learn more about why it is a top job in retail and sales for those working in the industry.
1. Benefits
One of the most attractive attributes of working at an Apple store is the great employee benefits they provide.
They offer a comprehensive healthcare package that pays for medical-related expenses and preventative care.
The healthcare plan Apple utilizes is one of the best in the industry and allows employees to get medical attention to prevent certain conditions and maintain those chronic conditions.
Apple also offers its employees other benefits such as financial perks and savings options to help pay for retirement, future expenses, and plan for any major purchases.
2. Rewarding
Working at an Apple Store can be rewarding for many employees.
Various duties include helping individuals solve problems or purchasing the right products for their particular needs.
It can be a very positive experience to cultivate customer relationships over time and ensure that each person gets the best service and assistance.
Some instances can include retrieving lost information, transferring phones, and electronic details, assisting with purchases, etc.
3. Challenging
Unlike many other technology and retail-related jobs, Apple store jobs can be challenging and provide an environment that encourages growth and learning.
Many retail jobs can become tedious and monotonous for workers and pose little to no challenge.
However, working at an Apple Store, there is always a new challenge to assist customers and something new to learn almost daily.
It is a great way to stay engaged with work and look forward to solving issues for customers along the way.
4. Diversity
The Apple Store is a business that prides itself on diversity.
They hire from various backgrounds and cultures to ensure a complete representation of society and actively select the best candidates based on their previous education and experience in the industry.
That means that truly qualified people usually land the job.
Anyone who values diversity in hiring and working in a multicultural environment will enjoy working at one of the Apple Store locations worldwide.
5. Education
People who work at the Apple Store can get continuous education related to the latest products and technological applications for Apple-related devices.
Additionally, Apple ensures their employees at the Apple store stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and information related to sales, service, and maintenance.
Individuals who like to learn and stay on the cutting edge of technology will get great satisfaction working in an environment where continuous education related to Apple products is promoted and expected.
6. Resume
Whether an Apple Store employee decides to stay in their position permanently, having a job with an Apple store always looks great on a résumé.
This is especially true for individuals who want to keep in a technology-related field.
Employees of the Apple store are required to learn many different skills, and other employers know that individuals selected to work with Apple are likely to have a wide and varied skill set that is an asset to just about any company.
7. Upward Mobility
Those who choose to take a position with an Apple store at an entry level can look forward to the possibility of promotion in management and a relatively short time.
One of the great perks of working at an Apple Store is moving into management after a certain timeframe.
Management positions offer competitive salaries and the ability to create stability.
There are usually plenty of management positions available within an area.
Apple does not solely hire from within, so there may be the opportunity to work beginning at the management level if the applicant has adequate credentials and experience.
8. Work in Any City
There are Apple Stores in almost every city across the country.
That means that individuals can work at an Apple Store in just about any place they choose.
If you start at a particular Apple Store and want to move, there is always the opportunity to transfer to a store near the new location.
That offers greater flexibility and the ability to travel to other locations if desired.
Employees may also want to transfer to another location for management opportunities.
Cons of Working at the Apple Store
There are many benefits and pros to working at an Apple Store.
However, there are also some downsides to be aware of before working there.
These cons are reported to be the biggest stumbling blocks for employees and should merit some consideration in advance.
1. Long Hours
Many Apple store employees have reported that the Apple store expects them to work long hours.
Many employees at Apple stores report excessive overtime hours and issues with time off during certain holidays.
Unlike many other technology companies, the Apple store tends its employees to wear clothes that require them to work long hours to complete.
While this may mean significant pay for workers, it can also be the source of employee burnout after a time.
2. No Work/Life Balance
Employees of the Apple Store have consistently argued that it is difficult to maintain a good work/life balance at the Apple Store.
The long hours and fluctuating schedule may mean working the majority of days off at times and dealing with erratic schedules at times.
There is no guarantee of time requests being granted for family events, vacation, or sick leave.
That means employees must be prepared to work more than the average industry employee, especially during the busy times of the year.
3. Challenging to Stand Out
It can be very difficult to stand out from other employees at the Apple Store.
The work is fairly standard and does not leave much room for employees to really shine.
In order to get a promotion to management, the employee must adhere to all the company’s standards and perform consistently rather than stand out on their own merits.
This can be a negative point for some who wish to stand out via their outstanding performances.
4. Too Many Managers
The possibility of promotion of management is a benefit of working at the Apple Store, but the excessive number of managers at any one location can also be a downside.
Many Apple store employees report they felt too many management positions were available within the company and specific locations.
Individuals hoping to manage a store may find fewer opportunities and less prominent than standard management positions at any Apple Store location.
5. Too Much Work
There is a great deal of work for employees who work at an Apple Store.
Since Apple is one of the most popular electronic brands on the market, there are always many customer issues to address.
That can mean longer than average hours and having to go the extra mile.
6. Not Enough Time Off
Along with the potentially excessive workloads and long hours comes limited time off.
This is especially true for those employees who fill management roles.
Managers are expected to work when needed and may not always get the standard two days off per week.
Additionally, workloads vary according to season and need.
7. Difficult Customers
Working with difficult customers is always a con of any retail job.
However, working with electronics in a major electronics retailer may mean putting up with more than the average number of difficult customers.
Having a cool demeanor and level head is extremely important for those working at an Apple Store.
Pros and Cons of Working at an Apple Store – Summary Table
| Pros of Working at an Apple Store | Cons of Working at the Apple Store |
|---|---|
| 1. Benefits | 1. Long Hours |
| 2. Rewarding | 2. No Work/Life Balance |
| 3. Challenging | 3. Challenging to Stand Out |
| 4. Diversity | 4. Too Many Managers |
| 5. Education | 5. Too Much Work |
| 6. Resume | 6. Not Enough Time Off |
| 7. Upward Mobility | 7. Difficult Customers |
| 8. Work in Any City |
Should You Work at an Apple Store?
If you love a challenge and enjoy working with the public, the Apple Store may be a great fit.
Keep in mind that the job is a challenge and can be quite demanding at times.
However, many Apple Store employees love working for a company that provides them with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and stability.
Keep in mind that this position can be stressful, especially for management, so excellent customer service skills and patience with workers are a must.
Related Resources
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working at Starbucks
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working at Walmart
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working at Target
- 18 Pros and Cons of Working in Retail
- Author
- Recent Posts
Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at Becomeopedia
Hi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.
Latest posts by Jamie Willis (see all)
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working for Phillips 66 - May 27, 2023
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working for U.S. Bancorp - May 27, 2023
- 14 Pros and Cons of Working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car - May 26, 2023
FAQs
What are some cons for working at Apple? ›
"Paranoid management, disrespect, constant tension, and long hours." This anonymous former employee appears to have hated their time at Apple: "It entirely depends on the group that you're in.
What are the benefits of working at an Apple store? ›Pay (for a retail job), discounted stock program, RSU's (take 3 years to vest), medical, dental, vision, 401k, EAP (15 sessions), free services like Apple Music.
Do Apple workers get free iphones? ›Apple does not give its employees a free iPhone every year. That's just a pesky rumor. But if you work your employee discount right, you could get a free one every two years, anyways. Let's take a look at the iPhone 13 mini.
Is Apple a stressful job? ›Apple can be a tough place to work. Employees have to put up with excessive levels of secrecy, crazy hours, and nonstop pressure to perform at the top of their game. But, working at Apple isn't all hard work. We went through reviews from current and former Apple employees on the job site Glassdoor.com.
What are Apple store employees called? ›The Genius Training Student Workbook is Apple's employee training manual for Apple Store tech-support employees, called Geniuses.
Does Apple provide free lunch? ›Apple doesn't offer free lunches to employees on its corporate campus, unlike other big tech companies like Google and Meta.
Why do you want to work at the Apple store? ›Example Answer:
I want to be part of a team that will help me pursue my career development for years to come, and Apple seems like the perfect place for that. Also, Apple provides its employees with a work-life balance that I believe would foster my best professional output.
Specifically, it's a one-time annual 25% discount in each product category. Their four main product lines include the iPhone, iPad, computer, and Apple Watch.
How much discount do Apple Store employees get? ›Employer Summary
Each year, employees can get a 25% discount on an iPod, iPad, or computer. Most Apple software can be purchased at a 50% discount, and AppleCare comes with a 25% discount.
Apple doesn't have plans for big layoffs, CEO Tim Cook told CNBC while discussing the company's earnings on Thursday, in a stark contrast from Big Tech peers like Alphabet , Meta , Microsoft and Amazon , which have cut thousands of employees this year.
How much does Apple pay? ›
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Intern salaries - 2 salaries reported | $13/hr |
| Engineer salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
| Office Manager salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
| Cashier salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
The dress code at Apple is casual for the most part.
For those working in more senior and corporate positions, business-casual is more appropriate. For technical, engineering, or IT positions it is completely acceptable to come into work in jeans, your favorite band shirt, and sneakers.
On average, employees at Apple stay with the company for 4.5 years.
How many Apple employees quit? ›It was announced that more than 20,000 employees working at the factory of Foxconn, Apple's largest supplier in China, were laid off. More than 20,000 employees at the company's 2317.TW plant left their jobs on Friday, Reuters cited Foxconn sources.
Why do Apple stores clap? ›By blessing this practice, Apple is acknowledging that most employees likely don't work in this retail job forever. The “clap-out” says, “You've graduated. Well done!” In this case, the Genius' next stepping stone was an immersive coding program.
Why do they clap at Apple? ›THEY CLAP …
“Almost an uncomfortably long time.” It's a show of support to get new hires excited about the job. And departing employees are “clapped out.” “On my last day, every Apple employee stopped whatever they were doing and started clapping,” Ben says.
Out of 1659 Apple employee reviews, 80% were positive. The remaining 20% were constructive reviews with the goal of helping Apple improve their work culture. The IT team, with 92% positive reviews, reports the best experience at Apple compared to all other departments at the company.
Do Apple give freebies? ›Students can scoop up Apple freebies when they buy an eligible item, like an iPad or Mac computer, during the back-to-school shopping season. In 2022, the back-to-school bonus was a free $150 Apple gift card with the purchase of a Mac, or a free $100 Apple gift card with the purchase of any iPad.
Do college students get free Apple? ›Get a free trial of Apple Music, free access to Apple TV+, and a special student rate of $5.99/mo.
Why is there no layoff in Apple? ›There's a reason why Apple Inc. is under less pressure than tech peers to slash jobs during the current slowdown: It hired more efficiently in the first place. During the industry's pandemic-fueled hiring binge, Apple added fewer employees than other big tech firms.
How do you nail an Apple interview? ›
- Research about the requirements for the role. Read the job description and see how your skills make you a good fit for that role.
- Read about the company. ...
- Ask yourself when, where, and how you've demonstrated the values and for skills they seek.
- Prepare a few examples of your most proud work accomplishments that you can share when asked behavioral questions.
- If you are interviewing for a technical role, be prepared to answer specific technical questions and complete a test assessment to showcase your skills.
Be comfortable. Being yourself, natural and relaxed is the most important. Apple is casual in dress (many wear jeans and t-shirts, including upper management).
How to land a job at Apple? ›One of the best ways to get a job at Apple is by building a strong network with the tech industry. If you want a shot at working at Apple, you should attend tech networking events and meet people who are connected to the company. Networking is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door.
How much is Apple student discount? ›You can usually save up to 10%, though actual discounts available to you will vary per product and may change over time. Sometimes you'll find more than 10% off selected products.
Do Apple employees get free Apple music? ›How important is it to have happy workers huh? Well, that is precisely what they want at Apple and that is for the Cuperitno company will give its employees a subscription service for Apple Music, Apple TV + and Apple Arcade to all its employees as of next January.
Can you use Apple employee discount with student discount? ›They get one 25%, three 15%, and unlimited 10% per year. All of which will lower the item to a price below the student discount, but you aren't allowed to use both of them at the same time.
Do Apple workers use Windows? ›Apple's internal tools (like Radar) run on macOS, not Windows.
What is the employee purchasing policy? ›An employee purchasing program gives employees a convenient way to purchase products and services using payroll deduction or at a discount directly from the manufacturer or a third-party provider.
Do Apple employees get Christmas off? ›Apple routinely closes up shop for multiple days around Thanksgiving and Christmas, giving employees time off to spend the holidays with family.
Do Apple employees get Christmas bonuses? ›
Paid holidays where a beautiful plus! Paid holidays are standard, with the whole company having off days. No "bonus" days scattered throughout the year, but paid holiday shutdown at Christmas.
What Apple looks for in employees? ›He shared four qualities that Apple looks for in a candidate - Collaboration, creativity, curiosity and expertise. “We have a group of people in the company that really want to change the world, that want to enrich people's lives, that want to leave the world better than they found it,” he said, as quoted by Fortune.
Who is Apple's longest serving employee? ›Every employee here also has the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder, because all are eligible for stock grants and also a discount when purchasing Apple stock. To help you prepare for retirement, our 401(k) matching can help you meet your savings goals.
Who kicked jobs out of Apple? ›In 1985, Jobs was forced out of Apple after a long power struggle with the company's board and its then-CEO, John Sculley. That same year, Jobs took a few Apple employees with him to found NeXT, a computer platform development company that specialized in computers for higher-education and business markets.
What is the lowest paying job at Apple? ›At Apple, the highest paid job is a Director of Engineering at $301,000 annually and the lowest is a Sales Associate at $35,000 annually.
Does Apple Pay weekly or biweekly? ›Apple Base Salary
Base salary at Apple is paid bi-weekly in the United States.
APPLE SIGN-ON BONUS
Apple is known for providing sign-on bonuses, which is a one-time bonus that new employees receive as an incentive to join Apple or to cover any lost bonuses or unvested equity that they may give up at their current company.
Subsidized Meals
Apple's on-site Cafe Mac offers healthy home-cooked-style meals at low subsidized costs. In addition to this, there are always fresh apples available to snack on for free!
Employees have been given two T-shirts each and have been instructed to wear the shirts beginning on April 10. Apple also typically distributes polo shirts and T-shirts with longer sleeves, but employees have not yet received these.
Can Apple employees wear leggings? ›
Yes, as long as they look classy.
Does Apple give overtime? ›If you get stuck there for a small amount of overtime you will always get paid for it, but if you're salary you won't. Some managers can slip through that aren't the best with the values set in place and it can have a big impact on the team and other managers.
What is Apple policy of 14 days? ›You have 14 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store, can be returned to Apple.
Does Apple train their employees? ›Compliance and Culture Training
All employees get mandatory annual or bi-annual training on Privacy, Respect at Apple, and Inclusion and Diversity. Employees receive between two and five hours of training annually, depending on location and the risks and responsibilities of their role.
In a survey at the time, 67% of Apple employees were unhappy with the return to office policy, and 56% stated they were looking to leave the company as a direct result of the policy.
How many Apple employees are black? ›Black employees now make up 9.4% of Apple's US workforce, and Hispanic and Latinx team members comprise 14.8%. In Apple Retail, since January 2021, 58% of open leadership roles globally have been filled by women.
How big is Apple employees? ›As of September 2022, Apple had 164,000 employees, which includes both corporate employees as well as retail staff for its stores.
Does Apple have poor working conditions? ›More On: apple
The despicable conditions were detailed in a Thursday Reuters investigation that included interviews with six women who worked at the plant, which is located outside Chennai. The workers said that they were forced to sleep on the floor in dormitories, with up to 30 women sleeping in a single room.
- Aggressive competition involving large multinationals like Samsung, Amazon, and Microsoft.
- Imitation involving firms that compete based on low prices.
- Rising labor costs in various countries where the company maintains production facilities.
Employee stress levels over family, employment, health, and wellness are higher than ever. Apple, a company that has always emphasized its employees' health and wellbeing, has once again stepped up to ensure employee happiness, peace of mind, work/life balance, and overall care and empathy.
Are Apple employees overworked? ›
The employees work more than 10 hours a day for 6 days a week, and over 83 percent of these workers clock monthly overtime hours in excess of 80 hours, according to China Labor Watch. In October last year, the average weekly working hours of over 70 percent of workers was above the limit set by Apple, it added.
How Apple treat their employees? ›Employees at Apple get discounts on products for them and their families, while they also get discounted stock purchase options. The product or service you offer should be offered at a discounted rate where possible to the employees who work hard on making it a success.
How much does Apple Pay? ›| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Intern salaries - 2 salaries reported | $13/hr |
| Engineer salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
| Office Manager salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
| Cashier salaries - 1 salaries reported | $10/hr |
60 percent of Apple employees say they are underpaid.
What was the biggest Apple mistake? ›- The Apple Newton.
- Apple Pippin.
- Round Mouse.
- The Apple Macintosh Portable.
- The Power Mac G4 Cube.
- The U2 iPod.
- Apple eMate.
- Macintosh TV.
M: Microsoft
It's fair to say competition between Microsoft and Apple defined the computer age. Today, Apple has the minds, Microsoft the numbers.
But although they can definitely put a dent in your savings, the cost to the environment might be even higher. Apple says that 70% of its carbon emissions come from manufacturing alone. And Compare and Recycle estimates that iPhone manufacturing in 2022 alone will generate a mind-boggling 17 megatons of CO2 emissions.
How long does the average employee stay at Apple? ›On average, employees at Apple stay with the company for 4.5 years.
How many vacation days do Apple employees get? ›Apple's PTO and Vacation policy typically gives 20-30 days off a year with 79% of employees expected to be work free while out of office. Paid Time Off is Apple's most important benefit besides Healthcare when ranked by employees, with 32% of employees saying it is the most important benefit.
How long do Apple employees work? ›About 55% of the employees at Apple work eight hours or less, while 10% of them have a very long day - longer than twelve hours. The Majority of Apple employees are satisfied with their work life balance and feel burnt out.
Do Apple employees quit return to office? ›
A recent survey of more than 650 Apple employees on third-party anonymous polling site Blind revealed 76% of respondents were dissatisfied with the company's return-to-office plans; 56% said they'd consider resigning over it. But outside the company, some experts aren't shocked, either.
Do Apple employees get paid a lot? ›The average Apple salary ranges from approximately $38,000 per year for Communication Technician to $221,000 per year for Technical Product Manager. Average Apple hourly pay ranges from approximately $12.41 per hour for Customer Service Associate / Cashier to $64.81 per hour for Senior Java Developer.