Company: Apple
Date: 2014-08-14
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former

Initially innovative, exciting, and fast paced while meeting interesting people and hopefully making their lives better.
Pros: If getting hours is what you want, this is the place to work.  If you aren't scheduled you can always find someone who wants time off.  Benefits are ok, especially the employee stock purchase program.  Co-workers are interesting, talented, skilled individuals with vast interests outside of work.  They are quality people to meet and befriend.  You get personal and family/friend discounts on the products. No one works on commission so it creates a better team environment when trying to help a customer.  You must enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life to do this job.  Shirts are provided and no other uniform requirements.  It's a decent place to work short term.
Cons: Personal growth seems limited.  They like to hire from outside and not promote from within.  The don't like to promote older employees and opt for younger, "hipper" individuals even if they have less experience or skill.  It seems the more eccentric you are, the greater the chances you get hired.  Compensation is average, with predictable annual increases, even though some locations exceed forecasted revenue.  It's a cookie cutter one size fits all award system  There are no special financial awards for exceeding goals, etc for the average employee.  Christmas bonus has consisted of a sweatshirt the last few years.  They want ridiculous availability for scheduling (full time has to have 100% availability for all days the store is open),  and they will push part time to full time hours during holiday to avoid over time for full time employees.  This basically eliminates a work-life balance.  There is a high burn out rate.  Someone there one year is a seasoned veteran!  Time off availability is a bit variable. During training, there are certain values they speak of that they want practiced by the employees toward the customer and each other, but they do not practice those values toward the employees themselves.  It has so much promise but falls short.