[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

We're all very impressed.

And I bet that if you get caught checking your personal email at work, it's straight to the guillotine for you, huh?

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

We all know it's worse to be under-dressed than over-dressed. So there.

-t

Agreed, except if you're so overdressed that it's obvious you don't understand the job you're applying for. I think a suit to an Apple Store interview would do exactly that. Kakis and a button-up shirt would be fine, but I think dressing fashionably in a nice pair of jeans (read: not Levis) would communicate a keen understanding of the Apple Store.

[Andy8]

Or a black turtleneck? (perhaps that is just for executives as such)

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by tooki 

And that's impressive how?

Apple is a totally different company. You can be in a suit and look like s**t, and you can dress casually and look fantastic. Apple has a corporate culture of style and individuality, and that's what they look for in employee dress. The "uniform" is the Apple t-shirt, which must be worn outside all other attire, and the lanyard. Beyond that, you do what you want. And that works for Apple. Coming to an interview dressed to match the corporate culture shows that you "get it". Coming to Apple dressed in a suit shows that you are completely out of touch with the image Apple wants in its stores. (As I said, I've been on the other side of Apple hiring events, so I can tell you that that example is not contrived.)

Not exactly true either. As I said, I wore a suit, and got the job. I also didn't have to go to a second interview. I was called immediately afterward and offered the job. I too have been involved in the recommendation of new hires.

[IceEnclosure]

you guys and your khakis, they're probably pleated too.

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

Agreed, except if you're so overdressed that it's obvious you don't understand the job you're applying for. I think a suit to an Apple Store interview would do exactly that. Kakis and a button-up shirt would be fine, but I think dressing fashionably in a nice pair of jeans (read: not Levis) would communicate a keen understanding of the Apple Store.

I wore "Sunday Best" to an interview to be a janitor at a middle school while I was going through college about 10 years ago... I got the job. I knew I was applying to scrub toilets, but I also knew it was a job interview, so I wanted to look my best. After I had worked there for a little while the head honchos commented that I had looked like a missionary when I first applied. But, I got the job.

And why aren't Levis considered a "nice pair of jeans" to you? Not expensive or elite enough? There are like 100 different styles of Levis! At least one of them should be considered "nice" I would think.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by OldManMac 

Not exactly true either. As I said, I wore a suit, and got the job.

I didn't say it was the only factor, but I'd be willing to bet that your must have been a superb candidate otherwise, because a suit to Apple Retail is neutral at best, slightly negative at worst.

[ApertureValue]

It's apparent that everybody here has a different viewpoint of what to wear to an interview. All I'm certain of is that I've never worn "casual" clothing (i.e. jeans, sneakers or a t-shirt) to an interview. I've always worn dress slacks or khakis, polo shirts, dress shirts with a tie or a complete suit, and I've ALWAYS gotten those jobs. Not once have I interviewed for a position and been turned down and I've even been told later on several occasions that I was dressed very nicely, and they couldn't believe what some of the other candidates had worn.

Take this as a small slice of anecdotal evidence, but that has been my experience. Maybe I'm lucky, and the employers with whom I interviewed were horribly desperate and I was the only lug who made it past the "for 50 points, what's your name?" phase of the process.

So, my official opinion is to: wear whatever the hell you want; if you get the job, cool. If you don't, then you obviously did something wrong in the process.

[residentEvil]

i always go with "business casual". since that means so many things to many people, i would think we all agree that on one end, it doesn't meant a suit and on the other end, flip flops and shorts...

even if the job is for a car wash attendant...neat and clean would win over sloppy/slacker look.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by ApertureValue 

It's apparent that everybody here has a different viewpoint of what to wear to an interview.

I think the take-home point is that you should dress in a way that is appropriate for the company and position you're applying for -- it's no longer expected that you will wear a suit and tie to every interview. Reserve them for the situations where it's appropriate.

[vcutag]

So apart from dress, do you guys have any advice for someone going into an initial interview? I've got one on Tuesday and having been unemployed for a few months now really need to make a good impression.

[imitchellg5]

Be laid back, but professional.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by vcutag 

So apart from dress, do you guys have any advice for someone going into an initial interview? I've got one on Tuesday and having been unemployed for a few months now really need to make a good impression.

What type of employment are you applying for?

[vcutag]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

What type of employment are you applying for?

I applied for the only opening listed on the store's jobs site, which was for a specialist position. I've got experience that would make me useful in other areas (creative, expert, store leader) if the openings are there. At this point, though, I'm trying to go back to school in the fall, so something that'll give me flexible hours when I need them would be ideal.

I wrote a kickass cover letter; it's probably what got me the interview.

[imitchellg5]

Well every position at the Apple Store starts out as part time. Sometimes whether you are hired or not comes down to your availability.

[vcutag]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Well every position at the Apple Store starts out as part time. Sometimes whether you are hired or not comes down to your availability.

At this point, I'm available whenever they need me, other than April 1st & 2nd (getting married, finally.)

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

What type of employment are you applying for?

The usual; be positive, upbeat and demonstrate a real passion for the brand. Don't try to fake what you don't know, but be willing to learn. Apple has hired many people who don't even own Macs, based on their personality and enthusiasm.

[scurvy cur]

Originally Posted by vcutag 

So apart from dress, do you guys have any advice for someone going into an initial interview? I've got one on Tuesday and having been unemployed for a few months now really need to make a good impression.

Be yourself and try to stand out a bit from everyone else in the group (in a good way; don't be obnoxious or overbearing). Don't stay silent.

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Well every position at the Apple Store starts out as part time.

Not true at all. While most specialist positions start out as part time, full-time positions absolutely do hire externally.

[vcutag]

Originally Posted by scurvy cur 

Be yourself and try to stand out a bit from everyone else in the group (in a good way; don't be obnoxious or overbearing). Don't stay silent.

From the context, I don't think it's a group interview. They asked me what time would be convenient for me to come in; I wasn't given a set time to arrive. I interviewed at this same store years ago, not long after it opened in 2003 and my first interview was with the manager. Ended up not getting the job, but that's how it goes.

[toranz82]

I did the group interview for an apple store in ny yesterday, in the email from the store manager that i got inviting me to that group interview it said feel free to dress business casual. So i went with grey slacks, dress shoes, a white dress shirt, and a tie. Everyone was dressed in their own version of business casual. I was called today to schedule an interview. Being that for the group interview the manager said feel free to dress business casual, I would say you should wear the same for the interview. And by the same, i do not mean the same exact clothes you wore to the group interview, lol just business casual.

[turtle777]

You wore a TIE when asked for business casual ?

-t

[brassplayersrock²]

Business casual at the elementary school I teach at is slacks, dress shirt, and a tie.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

Business casual at the elementary school I teach at is slacks, dress shirt, and a tie.

Well, from my experience (corporate America), business casual is NOT with tie. I mean, what the heck is casual about wearing a tie ?

-t

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Well, from my experience (corporate America), business casual is NOT with tie. I mean, what the heck is casual about wearing a tie ?

-t

If you normally wear a suit, a shirt and tie are casual.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by torsoboy 

If you normally wear a suit, a shirt and tie are casual.

Uhm, that's not how it's commonly understood.

Business casual attire

Ties are generally not necessary for business casual

Business casual - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Neckties and cufflinks are not required for business casual dress.

-t

[brassplayersrock²]

"It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to your host.”


Your casual-day outfit should be formal enough that you can throw on a sport coat and meet a client.

[turtle777]

What has intentional overdressing to do with business casual ?

-t

[brassplayersrock²]

Has to do with the fact that business casual isn’t the same everywhere.

Also, what if a random meeting comes up, and you’re stuck without what’s needed to look more professional.

I, and most of the other male teachers at my school, keep a spare tie in our class rooms just in case a person from the district, or state ect is making one of their monthly random walk arounds. (some of the longer standing male teachers at my school don’t wear a tie at times. One day, two members from the school district came by with the principal; and after they left, the principal told him to make sure that he has a tie handy; looked unprofessional for him being the only male teacher not wearing a tie)


It’s up to you on how you want to show that you care about your work. Don’t want to wear a “mini noose”?; that’s fine.

Who knows, the guy wearing a tie could land a job interview over the person that was lazy by not wearing a tie.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

Who knows, the guy wearing a tie could land a job interview over the person that was lazy by not wearing a tie.

Well, I would never wear business casual for an interview.

-t

[Railroader]

Some ties are formal, some are not.

[The Godfather]

I don't know if it helps, but here's a webpage that goes in detail on the Apple retail compensation package:
Apple Mac Specialist (Apple Store) Hourly Pay | Glassdoor.com