I applied online for a new store opening up in El Paso, TX. I went to the store website on June 2011. After a month I recieved an email stating that the Apple Store is hiring. This email came from a Recruiting Manager. The RM said that if I wanted to be considered for the next step in the inteview process I should answer some questions involving product use, the reason I wanted to work there, my availibilty for an interview and other questions. I went ahead and asnwered the questions as best as I could and Igpt a response 3 days later confirming my interview for one week layer. I can honestly say that it was a tough and competitive environment. There were about 20-25 guys in the interview group I was in. The employees wore their blue t-shirts or black polos, depending on their position. Then after waiting for 15 minutes, one of the interviewers said that they were going to greet us. They all stood up and line up like it was a Grand Opening. This made a lot of us feel welcomed and relaxed. Then we filled out a sheet of paper that asked what poducts we have owned, our work availibility, and if we would be in town for the weeks of August 22nd through September 16th or some dates like that. After we finished they played a presentation about the stores, their grwoth as a company in the retail business and other facts, like how every nine days a new stores opens. It was now time for the interviews. Before we left, one of the interviewers said that some of us would be asked to stay afterwards, or be called back the same day and others would be contacted later. Next, were were split into groups of 4 people. Two applicants, a Store Leader from any place in the country (My gruop had a guy from Dallas) and the fourth person was a Store Leader for the new store. Basically, we had to make ourselves more likeable towards the new manager thanthe guy from Dallas. The Store Leaders asked us about our work experience (which I have none), our personality, and other questions. We then had an opportunity to aske them a few questions. They guy that was applying with me asked aboit benefits and discounts which I thought was a very bad move. Asking about discounts from a job you don't even have??? Afterwards they said that they would be back in a few minutes. They came back and thanked us for our interest. A different emloyee then told us that another Recruiter would be contacting us during the week, any day from the day of the interview until the end of the week. Overall I think that it was a very good experience. Though I didn't get the job, I know that a lot of people get fired or quit regularly, so I will be applying again, and again. If you really like Apple as a company that you could work for, I encourgage you to apply. Apple looks for people who fit their stores with their happy personality, people who are hardworking and who are great at teaching other about their products. Go to an Apple Store and look at how they work, talk to the Genii, the Experts, and Store Leaders so that they see your interest and enthusiasm for the store and the environment they work in.