At the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, Tim Cook divulged what it takes to become an Apple employee. The Apple CEO of 11 years stated that the people Apple hires are vital to its success. So how does Apple hire people?
Tim revealed that they look for people with these four shared skills: Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity and Expertise.
Cook contended that it had been a fruitful equation for the company and observed that such attributes also cultivated a competitive yet supportive work environment.
So this is a hiring secret you can steal from Apple. How? Let’s talk about each of the four shared skills.
Collaboration
In the present context, collaboration is more important than ever. With the rise of remote work and global teams, businesses are increasingly relying on their employees to be able to work together effectively.
Collaboration skills are important for new employees for a few reasons. First, it shows that you can communicate and work well with others. This means you will be able to effectively contribute to team projects. Additionally, being able to collaborate well is a sign of good problem-solving skills. When you can work together with others to solve problems, it shows that you are adaptable and resourceful.
Collaboration skills demonstrate that you are a good communicator, a team player, and a problem-solver. These are all skills that are essential for success in today’s work environment.
Tim Cook stated the importance of collaboration at work: “We look for the fundamental feeling that if I share my idea with you, that that idea will grow and get bigger and get better.“
Creativity
Creativity is essential for businesses to be able to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. Creative employees are often better able to solve problems and come up with new ideas. So if you’re looking to hire new employees, be sure to keep an eye out for those who are creative. It may just be the key to success for your business.
“We look for people that think differently, that can look at a problem and not be caught up in the dogma of how that problem has always been viewed.” – Tim Cook
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There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that creative employees are better at problem-solving. A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that employees who took part in a creative thinking program were more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems.
The study, which was published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, found that employees who took part in the program were also more likely to come up with new products and services.
So why are creative employees so good at problem-solving? One theory is that they are better at seeing the world in new ways and coming up with unusual solutions. Whatever the reason, it is clear that companies should encourage creativity in their employees if they want to boost innovation and solve problems effectively.
Curiosity
Curiosity is often thought of as a trait of personality, but it is also a key skill that employees need to be successful. Being curious allows employees to explore new ideas, ask questions, and find innovative solutions to problems.
In the workplace, curiosity is essential for employees who want to stay ahead of the curve and be the first to know about new developments in their field. Additionally, curious employees are more likely to be engaged in their work and to have a positive attitude towards their jobs.
“It’s amazing when somebody starts to ask questions as a kid would, how it puts pressure on the person to think through the answers really deeply. And so, we look for this innate curiosity in people.” – Tim Cook
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So if you’re looking to build a successful team, make sure to hire employees who are curious and always eager to learn more.
Expertise
As the saying goes, “if you’re a jack of all trades and a master of none, you’ll never make it in the business world.” This is never more true than when you’re hiring new employees. It’s important to remember that just because someone is good at a lot of things, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good at the thing you’re looking to hire them for.
“If we’re doing something in industrial design, we need somebody that knows industrial design and has a skill set in it either from their college days or through their work days.” – Tim Cook
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While it is important to consider a candidate’s attitude when hiring, don’t forget to evaluate their skills as well. After all, a positive attitude won’t be of much use if the person doesn’t have the skills to do the job.
Recap: How Does Apple Hire People?
We’ve covered Apple’s hiring strategy in this blog post. As Tim Cook revealed, Apple looks at these four shared skills when hiring employees: Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity and Expertise.
Take a cue from Apple’s hiring playbook. Got any tips for us and our readers? Do share in the comments section below. And, do subscribe to receive email notifications for all new posts.
