Job Interview in Cupertino...

[Human Torch]

Brehs,

I’ll most likely be flying out to Cupertino to interview with Apple in a couple weeks. I say most likely because I’m not sure if I actually want the Job or not.

Any Brehs in here got any experiences with Apple, Silicon Valley, the Bay, etc?

My biggest reservation at this point is relocation. Granted I’m in the DMV so it’s expensive, but the Bay has the reputation for being ridiculously expensive.

Basically, drop y’all thoughts on any of the things i mentioned above. I’m tryna gather as much info as possible

 

[The Minister Of Culture]

what job? Software Developer? i saw a listing for apple a couple weeks ago about the same thing.

 

[phcitywarrior]

@dora_da_destroyer

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

1) what type of role, that will change my answer drastically

2) don't go into interview out here half hearted, it's hard enough to land a gig when you truly want it and the interviews are exhausting so it's somewhat of a waste of your energy if you don't want the gig. You have awhile to think about it, I will say it's not uncommon for people to pull out of interviews the day-of out here given the talent shortage and how hard companies have to compete for candidates

3) apple is one of the more serious cultures out here, not as extreme as netflix but definitely not the "bubbly, fun" type of workplace you might find in a startup.

4) check out the blind app for inside tips on apple culture and interviews, its likely you can get info from someone in the exact group you're interviewing with

5) do you have an actual interest in living out here? Keep in mind no move is forever so it's not like you're stuck. I say this because, yes, it's more expensive, but if you have an interest in living in the bay, working for apple, or working in real tech, not the IT stuff in the DMV, then take the interview seriously and get the experience. Just like DC, a lot of ways to make the bay work.

That said, I think apple has shuttles from SF, not sure about the east bay, therefore you’d likely have to live on the peninsula/South Bay or San Francisco proper, both are expensive as hell, lack black people (to an extreme...not sure you’re black tho) and the peninsula/south bay can be pretty boring. So you’ll have to weigh that...the commit down from SF can take a little over an hour to 2 hours.

 

[Human Torch]

what job? Software Developer? i saw a listing for apple a couple weeks ago about the same thing.

I’m in procurement. The role is Global Procurement Manager

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I’m in procurement. The role is Global Procurement Manager

Apple is one of the few companies that can get the general public and markets talking about supply chain, that’s clearly a super important role, I’d say go for it. I don’t know much about procurement, but I do know that getting top experience in you role can go a long way even if you dip from apple. Seems like procurement at apple would be as prestigious as software engineer at google, marketing at apple, medicine at Johns Hopkins, etc.

 

[Human Torch]

1) what type of role, that will change my answer drastically

Procurement manager role



2) don't go into interview out here half hearted, it's hard enough to land a gig when you truly want it and the interviews are exhausting so it's somewhat of a waste of your energy if you don't want the gig. You have awhile to think about it, I will say it's not uncommon for people to pull out of interviews the day-of out here given the talent shortage and how hard companies have to compete for candidates

I literally be going back and forth the past couple days because I had to give them a few dates that would work for me. At this point unless they make a “godfather” offer I think I’ll turn it down.

3) apple is one of the more serious cultures out here, not as extreme as netflix but definitely not the "bubbly, fun" type of workplace you might find in a startup.

I’ve read this as well, to be fair my company culture is challenging now so I don’t think it will be much worse. I’m just comfortable now. Which can be a good and bad thing.

4) check out the blind app for inside tips on apple culture and interviews, its likely you can get info from someone in the exact group you're interviewing with

Never heard of this. Will do.

5) do you have an actual interest in living out here? Keep in mind no move is forever so it's not like you're stuck. I say this because, yes, it's more expensive, but if you have an interest in living in the bay, working for apple, or working in real tech, not the IT stuff in the DMV, then take the interview seriously and get the experience. Just like DC, a lot of ways to make the bay work.

It’s all a lot to unpack. I’ve literally moved to Jersey, Dallas, and Germany for work so I know what it takes. Im just in a different space now

That said, I think apple has shuttles from SF, not sure about the east bay, therefore you’d likely have to live on the peninsula/South Bay or San Francisco proper, both are expensive as hell, lack black people (to an extreme...not sure you’re black tho) and the peninsula/south bay can be pretty boring. So you’ll have to weigh that...the commit down from SF can take a little over an hour to 2 hours.

I’m black and accustomed to being the majority so that would probably be the biggest culture shock for me tbh.

Based on my answers, it might be a no for me dawg

Got a couple more days before i have to confirm the travel plans tho.

I appreciate the insight

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

Based on my answers, it might be a no for me dawg

Got a couple more days before i have to confirm the travel plans tho.

I appreciate the insight

Good luck. Your line of work doesn’t seem too closely tied to any particular region, so yea, might as well not stress yourself by moving to place that’s expensive and lacks melanin. I’m currently debating moving because of that

 

[dterpsss]

only advice is to know your worth, my bro got 200K more just by negotiating hard

 

[Astroslik]

only advice is to know your worth, my bro got 200K more just by negotiating hard

An extra 200k? Doing what?

 

[dterpsss]

An extra 200k? Doing what?

biz ops, RSUs involved ofcourse, based on 2 year total comp

 

[Astroslik]

biz ops, RSUs involved ofcourse, based on 2 year total comp

I figured

 

[Human Torch]

only advice is to know your worth, my bro got 200K more just by negotiating hard

I hear you breh. 200k is crazy

I’m definitely gonna play hardball if they actually offer

 

[Reality]

Brehs,

I’ll most likely be flying out to Cupertino to interview with Apple in a couple weeks. I say most likely because I’m not sure if I actually want the Job or not.

Any Brehs in here got any experiences with Apple, Silicon Valley, the Bay, etc?

My biggest reservation at this point is relocation. Granted I’m in the DMV so it’s expensive, but the Bay has the reputation for being ridiculously expensive.

Basically, drop y’all thoughts on any of the things i mentioned above. I’m tryna gather as much info as possible

How do you feel about work life balance? That global procurement role is pretty shytty in that you always have to be available, you need to travel pretty often, and you're always doing calls with Asia from what i hear. i've had some friends who worked that job and hated it and some buddies that turned it down. Seems pretty miserable IMO, though it is a higher profile job in the supply chain world.

 

[Human Torch]

How do you feel about work life balance? That global procurement role is pretty shytty in that you always have to be available, you need to travel pretty often, and you're always doing calls with Asia from what i hear. i've had some friends who worked that job and hated it and some buddies that turned it down. Seems pretty miserable IMO, though it is a higher profile job in the supply chain world.

This is what i needed breh. Naturally traveling is expected but i got the feeling that they hadn’t been completely straight forward with how much.

The company culture is more important to me tho. Although Apple is clearly a big deal for a career, Amazon is also building HQ2 a few blocks from where i work so I’m truly not desperate for this position. I also have to consider my gf and baby who would be coming too