Apple Inc.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS AT APPLE INC.

Apple Inc, which is the organization of choice in this assignment, is a multinational corporation that is
involved in electronic and computer software manufacture and supply. Being a well known company and
whose ventures are affected by advances in technology, it becomes important to have the best employees
who will ensure that the company grows at per with technological advancements.

It is a company that values her employees very much as it recognizes the fact that they are the driving
force towards the organization’s success and prosperity. The human resource department in this
corporation aims at recruiting people with the best computing skills and knowledge. The process of
recruitment and selection is a very critical aspect in every organization and should therefore be taken
seriously since it touches on the most important resource of an organization, the human resource.

This is so because it is the people in the organization that help in the utilization of other resources to
ensure that excellent performance is achieved and hence maximum profitability brought about by the
efforts put forth by the employees. If efficiency, effectiveness, and economy within the organization are
to be maintained, then the human resource must be handled well since it is the one responsible for this.

The process has to commence with appropriate recruitment and selection which allows for hiring of
qualified and appropriate employees (Anonymous 1). There are different methods that could be applied
in the recruitment and selection of employees depending on their suitability and the decisions of the
management body.

The methods should at all times go in line with the organization’s policies and goals. Some of the
methods include; external recruitment methods where the particular firm or organization establishes
some links with other firms that deal with recruitments, for instance, professional career organizations
and looking for applicants outside the organization.

There are also internal recruitment methods where the management would consider posting a
position internally to check whether there exist some potential in the existing employees that could fill
the available vacancies. The recruitment process is generally divided into four sub processes which are;
requisition, sourcing, selection, and closure.

Apple Inc. Company utilizes both internal and external recruitment and selection methods in an effort
to enhance its workforce. Some of the selection methods employed include interviewing where the job
applicants or the short listed candidates are subjected to some tests in the form of questions with an aim
of gathering adequate information regarding the candidates such as things about their abilities that could
otherwise not be ascertained from applications and other documents, for example, confidence.
 The interview could also be combined with some practical tests that help gauge clearly the skills
possessed by a candidate since general question and answer interview procedure may not be appropriate
as the job applicant could only be vast with the theoretical aspect as opposed to the application part that
is very essential when it comes to Apple Inc. Corporation.

Work samples is the other method that is applied in Apple Inc. company and entails assigning some
mini tasks related to the actual job in the selection process. This is a very effective selection method as it
helps get a clear picture of the particular candidate as the work sample is taken as a representative of the
real job and hence it facilitates informed and appropriate decision making in regard to selection.

Assessment centers on the other hand are procedures applied in the selection process that aims at
maintaining objectivity and justice in the selection process to the highest level possible. They work by the
assumption that no single method of selection could be totally effective and hence combines several
methods in an effort to minimize errors that could arise as a result of relying on a particular method. This
method is very efficient and effective although it is relatively expensive and time consuming
(Edenborough 2).

There is also the employment of psychometrics as a technique in the recruitment and selection
process. This entails the mental analysis of the particular candidates through the use of psychometric
instruments.

This method aims at gathering comprehensive information that may facilitate the understanding of
the individuals hence allowing for prediction of their behaviour and enhancing informed decision making
in regard to recruitment and selection. The psychometric instruments are designed in a manner that they
are able to gather the specific skills required for a particular post.

It is a method that is appropriate and associated with the following benefits; it enhances the accuracy
of selection hence maximizing the organization’s performance, it promotes the retention of the
employees in the organization, which is very crucial through matching their abilities with the job assigned
and avoids the costs that could be incurred by the individuals and the organization as a whole as a result
of poor recruitment decisions that would lead to inefficiencies which in return would necessitate a repeat
of the processes.

It also optimizes individual’s abilities and talents by focusing on development activities in the
organization and allows for better career growth management through its ability to match the personal
aspirations and capabilities with the opportunities present in the organization, the end result being job
satisfaction and excellent performance of the organization as a whole (Edenborough 4).

Conclusion

The recruitment and selection processes are very challenging and should be done in a careful manner
with appropriate methods and techniques to ensure that the hired employees are the right ones in terms
of qualification and experience.
 The methods decided on should always put into considerations the organization’s goals and objectives
and the purpose of the recruitment and selection process to avoid any divergence or loss of focus. The
recruitment and selection methods and processes should as well ensure that the right individual is hired
in the right place and at the right time to facilitate efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the
organization which in the long run enhances productivity and profitability.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Apple utilizes a unique training approach to ensure that the employees are equipped with right skills for
the job. The company allows the employees to do things on their own to encourage them to develop
strong self-reliance (Storey, 2014). In this case, the workers can learn from their mistakes. This strategy
has enhanced skills development. Employees are encouraged to develop innovative skills since they are
allowed to work in different units within the organization. Apple uses a unique approach to assigning roles
to different teams (Grant, 2016). In this case, several groups are assigned to perform a particular task.
After accomplishing the task, they are then assigned an entirely different role. The teams are required to
do something new at all times. This is the reason why Apple has developed as one of the innovative
companies in the world. The teams always compete to provide something new that is entirely different
from the previous projects (Storey, 2014). After completing the tasks, the work of each team is reviewed,
and the best is selected or chosen.

To enhance the culture of free thinking and innovation, the teams meet twice in a week. During the
meetings, they can brainstorm to come up with something new full of innovation. Apple does not prepare
training programs, but employees are encouraged to learn on their own (Rees & Smith, 2017). This type
of learning allows the employees to receive incredible returns that contribute to the development of the
company. The challenges experienced during the projects encourage employees to become proactive
about what will be taking place the following day (Grant, 2016). The employees of the Apple can learn on
their own without training. This strategy has enabled the company to nurture and develop talents that
have made the company to achieve international recognition.

The strategic human resource management approach used by Apple Inc. is aimed at attracting the best
talents and retaining them at the same time (Grant, 2016). These strategic HR practices have enabled the
firm to become the leading provider of consumer personal computing products in the world.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Apple used all-star teams because iOS 10 was a mission critical initiative. In addition, rewards were applied
to team performance; no one person on the team could receive an exceptional performance appraisal
unless the entire team did.
Apple, Inc. CEO Tim Cook sent out a memo this week thanking everyone for their part in helping the
company do so well. Then he surprised them…

In recognition of your incredible efforts and achievements, I’m happy to announce that we’re extending
the Thanksgiving holiday this year. We will shut down with pay on November 25, 26, and 27 so our teams
can have the whole week off.

Apple is rewarding nearly every employee with the whole of Thanksgiving (in America – in other countries,
Cook tells managers to find an equally appropriate holiday time) week off. He added three paid vacation
days to every employee’s year. Noting that it’s one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year, he didn’t
turn a blind eye to his retail and other teams who would need to work that week.

Everyone helped the company grow. Everyone gets rewarded. I’ve worked for companies who only
rewarded the sales team, and I always wondered how management could be so dim-witted and short-
sighted. Everyone worked towards Apple’s success. Everyone benefitted.

CEO Cook doesn’t see these paid holidays as an expense. He sees them as an investment. Clearly, moves
like these show great return for Apple with employee satisfaction but also in recharging time for its teams.
Cook is giving them all a chance to remember why they work so hard at other times of the year.

REWARDS AND PAYPLANS

 According to Glassdoor, Apple employees get an annual 25% discount when they purchase an
iPod, computer, or iPad. Every three years, workers can get $250 off an iPad or $500 off a Mac.
Apple software is 50% off. The company also offers other discounts for family and friends,
depending on the product.

 Apple allows mothers to take four weeks of paid leave before giving birth and 14 weeks after.
Non-birth parents get six weeks of paid time off, according to TIME.
 The tech company also covers the cost of egg freezing.
 Employees are treated to free beer and appetizers at the company's beer bashes -- not to mention
some of the biggest names in music. Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, and OneRepublic have all
performed at these semi-regular events.
 An employee based in Manhasset, New York, reported Apple provides employees with a $300
gym credit annually.
 At Apple, new hires get 12 days of paid time off -- but Glassdoor reviewers report it increases over
time.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Although Apple is a great company to work for but it still has many areas that the company need to
improve in terms of their motivation and rewards methods. According to our findings, we have found out
that Apple Inc.’s working environment is not that comfortable and satisfying. So we recommend that
Apple Inc. can try to provide a more relaxing working environment to their employees. Research shows
that a relaxing environment is able to assist the employees to think creatively and be innovative. For
instances, a rest room fully equipped with massage chairs, on-site doctors, dry cleaning can allow their
employees to have more time to modify the project before the due date. Besides, private communication
facilities should be installed at each floor of the company in order to let their employees to settle their
own personal affairs. (Calitz & Greyling, n.d.) These are some of the facilities that are provided by Google.
Apple Inc. should employ some of the facilities provided by Google, to create a relaxing environment for
the employees to cultivate creativity within them and in the same time reduce their stress on task
accomplishment.

Apple’s culture of secrecy might discourage their employees’ motivation on pursuing their jobs
performance. Therefore, it is recommended that Apple should give their employees an opportunity to
explore themselves on the whole operation in Apple Inc. For instance, Apple Inc. allows their employees
take part in the function from different departments in the company which can inspire employees to be
innovative and enthusiasm towards their jobs. However, these opportunities should only be offered to
those who are interested on learning certain skills in the related departments.

Since Apple Inc. is more focus on the hard work and commitment from the employees rather than building
the social relationships in the workplaces, we are now suggesting that Apple Inc. should actually come out
some event to improve the relationships among the employees. For example, Apple Inc. can carry out an
annual dinner for all of the employees to gather. This will help to build a good social relationship among
the employees. Besides, Apple Inc can also provide some 2 days 1 night trips for the employees. The trip
may encourage interflow of different departments’ employees and help the employees have a better
understanding about the company operation at different department.

Last but not least, Tim Cook is the current Apple’s Chief Executive Officer that leads and runs the whole
operation in Apple Inc. However, Tim Cook is not a charismatic leader as compared to Steve Jobs. He is
rather a friendly leader than a leader who is democratic and bureaucratic. Tim Cook should adapt some
of Steve Job’s leadership styles as the styles works in Apple Inc. and is able to motivate the employees. He
is also advised to be in contact with the employees by listening and understanding their problems and
comments on the products specification or issues regarding to their social welfare.

Submitted by: Ifrah Maqsood; M.com-3(Morning)