Company: Apple
Date: 2015-08-16
Overall rating: 5/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Confirmed

Best Job I've Ever Had
Pros: "You own your own development" is a phrase that is repeated often at Apple. While at first glance, the phrase may seem like a nice sounding way for management to tell you it's not their job to help you with career advancement (and that's true), the fact that career advancement opportunities exist at all - much less good ones - is something that truly sets Apple retail apart from all other retail jobs. Not only do advancement opportunities exist, but if you tell your managers you want to do something, achieve something, work on improving something, they'll be there to support you, help you achieve that goal, and if you are purpose-driven in your goals and let them know what they are, they'll give you the resources and time to achieve them. 
There are many reasons to work at Apple, this is just one of them, but one of the best things that's come from my five years with the company is the massive amount of learning and development that I've experienced in my roles, from technical training and certifications to a philosophy of soft skills that make it clear why Apple is an industry leader in customer service.
Cons: The work-life balance is tough. If you're young, single (at least without kids), and don't mind having to be available on weekends, from 8am-10pm, and on holidays, then it's fine. But if you want any semblance of a normal schedule, it's not going to happen here.