If you happen to be an engineer or designer at Apple, this dynamic is undoubtedly amplified. Working at Apple is extremely fast-paced and challenging. Apple constantly releases products that are intended to be used by hundreds of millions of customers worldwide, so there is a tremendous amount of pressure to produce hardware and software that “just works” and does so in a short amount of time.
It should come as no surprise that getting a job at Apple is no easy task, and the company’s interviewing procedure makes sure that only the brightest can enter the building at 1 Infinite Loop. While many of the questions Apple poses to candidates naturally focus on fundamental ideas in engineering, math, physics, and computer science — data structures, algorithms, materials, sorting, etc. — — Apple, like Microsoft, tests interview candidates on their capacity for creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
It’s important to note that Microsoft was the first major tech company to implement unconventional interview questions; many other tech companies later adopted this strategy. For instance, Microsoft has been known to ask candidates the following interview questions: I am your grandmother and How would you design an ATM for children. Describe what MATLAB is to me.
We recently combed through a ton of interview data from Glassdoor to identify some of the more intriguing, perplexing, and occasionally bizarre questions prospective Apple employees have been asked during job interviews.
The following illustration is a little more intriguing and calls for some creativity (the question has been condensed for clarity).
Apple requires its product design engineers to have a broad range of knowledge, including design, engineering, materials science, and more. Consequently, the queries posed to potential product design engineers are a little sharper.
Although Apple software engineers are paid well, their primary responsibility is to maintain the superiority of Apple products. Naturally, the majority of queries posed to potential software engineers are, well, tough engineering issues. However, we did manage to identify a handful of noteworthy outliers that are worth highlighting.
It’s interesting to note that a user on Glassdoor reports that he was questioned about the same thing at Apple and Lab126 (Amazon).
All of it is good, but the top two Apple interview question responses we found on Glassdoor are as follows:
Technical Questions Asked in Mechanical Engineering Job Interviews
Interviews for Top Jobs at Apple
Mechanical Design Engineer Interview
ApplicationI applied online. I interviewed at AppleInterviewThe interview experience was good. The technical recruiter got in touch with me and arranged a phone interview with the hiring manager. Did not get any feedback after the interview. When I inquired again after a week, I immediately received an email of rejection and an apology for the delay. Interview questions include: What would I change in a cantilever beam to increase deflection; metal plate heating and hole size variation; metal and plastic in equilibrium, what feels cold and why; definitions of stiffness, strength, hardness, and resilience and how they relate; what are two types of plastics; what is a weld line, runner, and shot shot; and five words about you.
Mechanical Design Engineer Interview
ApplicationI interviewed at AppleInterviewHard, but really good and kind people. They were interested in my justification for what I believed the button’s mechanism to be. Know tolerancing stack-ups! This is the part that got me. Interview QuestionsMechanisms behind home button of iPhone.
Mechanical Design Engineer Interview
ApplicationI had an initial interview with a recruiter who had contacted meInterviewI interviewed at Apple Everything was fairly standard, but it happened quickly, and they never responded to me. Six interview questions regarding how to lessen a rectangular cross-section beam’s deflection
“How would you plan a hand gliding trip for your colleagues to North Korea?” — Hardware Test Design Lead
All of it is good, but the top two Apple interview question responses we found on Glassdoor are as follows:
It should come as no surprise that getting a job at Apple is no easy task, and the company’s interviewing procedure makes sure that only the brightest can enter the building at 1 Infinite Loop. While many of the questions Apple poses to candidates naturally focus on fundamental ideas in engineering, math, physics, and computer science — data structures, algorithms, materials, sorting, etc. — — Apple, like Microsoft, tests interview candidates on their capacity for creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
The following illustration is a little more intriguing and calls for some creativity (the question has been condensed for clarity).
It’s important to note that Microsoft was the first major tech company to implement unconventional interview questions; many other tech companies later adopted this strategy. For instance, Microsoft has been known to ask candidates the following interview questions: I am your grandmother and How would you design an ATM for children. Describe what MATLAB is to me.
Apple requires its product design engineers to have a broad range of knowledge, including design, engineering, materials science, and more. Consequently, the queries posed to potential product design engineers are a little sharper.
How to answer Apple interview questions
You should think about the position for which you are applying when preparing for an Apply interview and adjust your responses accordingly. Examining the job description carefully for hints about the kinds of questions you’ll be asked is a great way to accomplish this.
The STAR method is a great resource for responding to their behavioral-based interview questions, regardless of the position:
FAQ
What are the basic questions asked in mechanical engineering interview?
General Interview Questions for Mechanical Engineering Candidates Why did you decide to study mechanical engineering? Talk about your first engineering design. What is the top skill a mechanical engineer must have? . What is your CAD system of choice? . Name an engineering skill have you learned recently?.
Does Apple employ mechanical engineers?
Apple Inc. is in need of mechanical engineers to create fresh input device components, subsystems, and modules to support its Mac and iOS product lines.
What questions does Apple ask in interviews?
Which of these three Apple products do you prefer, and why? Tell me about a time you completely failed. How did you bounce back from it? . Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager. Behavioral/situational. Leadership. Technical/skills questions. Company-specific. General competency-based.
How do I prepare for an Apple technical interview?
How to Prepare for an Apple Phone InterviewFind out what is required for the position. Read the job description and determine whether your qualifications fit the position. Read about the company. Consider the instances in which you have displayed the qualities and abilities they are looking for.
