Of all the giant, multi-national companies in the world, there are only a handful that have a genuine air of mystique about them. These are companies that people fall all over themselves to get jobs at, and sometimes, will apply to literally every open position they’re even remotely qualified for in order to get a job – any job, at one of these legendary companies.
These are companies with a longstanding reputation for being at the cutting edge of technology. For pushing boundaries, fostering creativity, and just being all-around amazing places to work. There aren’t many companies like that on planet earth, but sitting at the top of the relatively small pile, is Apple.
Since its inception, Apple has an almost mythical, cult-like following. It has been said that Apple doesn’t have customers, the company has fans, and if you’ve ever used an Apple product, you probably understand why. Apple is almost obsessively focused on creating a fantastic user experience.
Sure, their products tend to be pricier than average, but there’s a premium to be paid for the kind of quality that Apple brings to the table, and given that the Apple Mystique is threaded through every aspect of the company, it’s no wonder that legions of people clamor to get a foot in the door.
The key questions then, are how and why.
How did Apple gain its mythical status, and exactly why do so many people go to great lengths to apply there?
Culture As mentioned, from earliest days, Apple organized itself around the notion of creating a one of a kind user experience. Sure, sure, there were products that were a part of that, but the products were almost secondary. It was the user experience that was key.
That focus has ebbed and flowed over the years, but remains more or less true today, which is why Apple maintains its position as one of the most valuable companies on the planet and one of the most desirable places to work. The very idea of getting to custom-craft stellar user experiences for adoring fans of the company is an almost irresistible lure for some potential employees.
Contribution For others, it’s the opportunity to get to be on a team that’s actively pushing the envelope. Think about the iPad. The iPhone. Apple created the market for these products out of whole cloth. Nothing like either of them existed before Apple made it so. The company is an undeniable innovation powerhouse, and there are legions of prospective employees who want to be a part of making that kind of magic.
Fun / Pay Then there’s the fact that Apple is just a fun place to work that pays exceedingly well, and let’s face it, to a certain point, the size of your paycheck does matter. So do the stock options and other perks that come with being an Apple employee.
Resume Finally though, there’s the fact that if you can manage to land a job at Apple, you have a huge leg up at the next job you apply to. When some other employer sees Apple on your resume, they’re going to sit up and take notice. While it’s certainly not a guarantee of a job, it will almost always result in your resume getting a second look.
For all these reasons, Apple is in the enviable position of having far more applicants than open positions. A fact that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
How do you inspire workers when your company is not at the level of Apple? By surprising your employees with a gift from your company.