Insights on Interviewing with Apple as an Engineer

Insights on Interviewing with Apple as an Engineer

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. First Attempt: Audio PM Intern Position
3. Second Attempt: iPhone and Watch Product Design Internship
4. Third Attempt: Mechanical Design and Quality Engineering Internship
5. Fourth Attempt: Soft Goods iPad Product Design Internship
6. Fifth Attempt: Product Design Engineering Internship for Special Projects Group
7. Sixth Attempt: Engineering Product Manager Role for Siri
8. Seventh Attempt: Input Devices Product Design Engineer Role
9. Eighth Attempt: Small Display Mechanical Engineering Role
10. Ninth Attempt: iPhone and Apple Watch Product Design Engineering Role
11. Lessons Learned from Rejections

The Apple Application Journey: A Tale of Reject and Learn

Over the past six years, I have applied for numerous job openings at Apple, going through the grueling process of interviews and facing rejection time and time again. In this article, I will share with You my experience of applying for nine different positions at Apple, the lessons I learned from being rejected, and how you can avoid the same fate. But before we Delve into my Apple Journey, let me apologize for the absence of my usual YouTube videos lately. My startup has been in its busy build season, consuming my time and energy for over 12 hours a day. Now that the engineering build is complete, I'm back with more consistent uploads. So, let's dive into my story of pursuing opportunities at Apple.

First Attempt: Audio PM Intern Position

The summer of 2018 marked the beginning of my journey at Apple. I secured an interview for an audio PM intern position, a program management role. Naively, I had no idea about the technical depth of Apple interviews. The interview turned out to be a disaster as I stumbled through questions I was ill-prepared for. Looking back, I realized that my one bullet point mentioning program management on my resume had piqued the recruiter's interest. The entire interview focused solely on that bullet point, leaving me realizing the importance of understanding every Detail on my resume.

Second Attempt: iPhone and Watch Product Design Internship

In October 2019, I had a chance to redeem myself with three interviews scheduled back-to-back on a significant day - the day before my birthday. The interviews were for three distinct positions: an iPhone and Watch product design internship, a mechanical design and quality engineering internship, and a soft goods iPad product design internship. Although it is challenging to recall the details of these experiences after three years, I had the foresight to film my immediate thoughts right after completing the interviews.

"Today's October 7, 2019, and I just had three Apple interviews today. It was honestly surreal to have three Apple interviews in one day. I hope to get a job offer for one of these positions and work at Apple from January to August 2020."

To my disappointment, none of these interviews resulted in a job offer. However, this setback did not deter my determination to land a position at Apple.

Third Attempt: Product Design Engineering Internship for Special Projects Group

December 2019 presented me with another opportunity—an interview for a product design engineering internship role in the Special Projects Group (SPG) at Apple. The SPG focuses on top-secret projects, and rumors hinted at their involvement with the Apple Car. Sadly, this interview ended in another rejection, but it further fueled my ambition to join the ranks of Apple.

Fourth Attempt: Engineering Product Manager Role for Siri

In September 2020, as graduation was approaching, I turned my Attention to full-time roles at Apple. I interviewed for an engineering product manager role, specifically working on Siri. The assignment provided by the recruiter consumed my days with laser focus, ignoring all other responsibilities. With confidence in my work, I submitted the assignment and waited for the recruiter's response. Days turned into weeks, and my hope slowly faded as I realized I had been ghosted. The taste of rejection stung, leaving a bitter mark on my journey.

Fifth Attempt: Input Devices Product Design Engineer Role

Against my better judgment, a friend referred me to a full-time role at Apple as an input devices product design engineer. Reluctantly, I went through the interview process yet again, engaging with various engineers on the team. The outcome was predictable – another rejection. The toxic allure of Apple had me entangled, regardless of past experiences.

Sixth Attempt: Small Display Mechanical Engineering Role

September 2021 brought another full-time interview opportunity, this time for a small display mechanical engineering role at Apple. Through a referral, I engaged in multiple interviews with different engineers. Despite my preparations, this attempt also resulted in rejection. The rejections were beginning to take a toll on my spirit.

Seventh Attempt: iPhone and Apple Watch Product Design Engineering Role

In February 2022, a recruiter reached out to me for an interview for a full-time role as an iPhone and Apple Watch product design engineer. By this point, I was happily employed elsewhere and took great pleasure in rejecting this opportunity. Finally, I had the upper HAND, even though Apple had rejected me eight times before.

Lessons Learned from Rejections

1. Understanding your resume inside out is crucial. Be prepared to elaborate on every bullet point and project, providing detailed explanations without hesitation.
2. Recognize Patterns in Apple's interview process, which typically follows a structure of "tell me about yourself," project discussion, and technical questions. Prepare concise summaries for each stage.
3. Build your technical expertise in key areas Relevant to your engineering major, such as mechanics of deformable solids, material science, GD&T, and manufacturing methods. Create summary notes for quick review.
4. Convince interviewers that you think like an engineer. Be able to explain fabrications, material choices, and design improvements confidently and provide evidence to support your answers.
5. Practice, practice, practice. Conduct mock interviews with a serious and critical friend who can provide honest feedback. Film yourself answering interview questions to identify weaknesses and improve.
6. Showcase your past work by having visual aids, such as pictures, videos, and prototypes. Be prepared to discuss projects in detail, including the decision-making process and final outcomes.
7. Utilize resources like Glassdoor to compile a list of common interview questions asked by Apple. Study and rehearse your answers to these questions.
8. Have a clear reason for wanting to work at Apple, whether it's the desire to collaborate with top engineers or work on groundbreaking projects. This motivation will help you persevere through rejections.
9. Rejections should not define your worth. Treat each rejection as a learning opportunity and identify areas for improvement. Maintain a positive mindset and keep growing.

Remember, the path to success is rarely straightforward. Rejections can be disheartening, but with determination and continuous improvement, you can turn them into stepping stones towards your goals. So, embrace the challenges and keep pushing forward. With each rejection, you become more resilient and closer to achieving your dreams.