Have you ever cured your Windows computer of the dreaded blue screen of death? Then Microsoft may want to hire you! Well, at least to work in their new Microsoft Stores.
Yes, the software giant is now hiring for its first two stores in Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA. Here’s a rough outline of what they’re looking for:
We’re looking for new store employees who love technology and teaching and helping others. In particular, we’re looking for people with technical backgrounds who can help customers choose the best Microsoft products and services for their needs and troubleshoot any technical issue they may have.
You can find a list of the specific jobs here. It looks like each location is hiring for 8 different types of positions: Retail Assistant Store Manager, Retail Customer Service Associate-Full Time, Retail Customer Service Associate-Part Time, Retail Inventory Associate, Retail Sales Associate-Full Time, Retail Sales Associate-Part Time, Retail Technical Advisor, and Retail Trainer.
Those all seem pretty standard for electronic retail, including Apple Stores. Of course, Apple fancies the positions up with nicer sounding titles. What Microsoft calls a “Retail Technical Advisor”, Apple calls a “Genius”. And what Microsoft calls a “Retail Customer Service Associate”, Apple calls a “Concierge”. What Microsoft calls a “Retail Sales Associate”, Apple calls a “Personal Shopping Specialist”, and so on.
The headline on the Apple Store jobs page reads “More than a retail job”, so it’s kind of funny that each of the Microsoft Store jobs have “retail” in the title.
And here are the “come work at our stores” pitches by the two companies:
Microsoft:
You have unique experiences, skills and passions—and we believe you can bring them all to Microsoft for a rich, rewarding career and lifestyle that will surprise you with its breadth and potential. Just imagine the excitement and satisfaction of what you can do, where you can go, and the difference you can make with the resources of Microsoft behind you.
Apple:
Be the face of Apple—help people learn about, shop for, and get the most out of their Apple products. That means we’re not just looking for people with retail experience. Creative pros, technical experts, and business consultants have a place here, too.
[thanks Michael]
Well, if you’re trying to say Apple has got the upper hand on MS, that’s an epic fail, because calling any store sales guy a “genius” or a “concierge” is BS beyond belief. At least MS are being straight-up.
you really don’t know what calling someone a messenger or calling them an office-assistant does to people’s egos. I go with apple on this. It’s all about ego.
Yes, Apple’s words would lure the to-be-employee more than MS’s.
And overall, the quality of employees at Apple’s stores have been top notch in my experience. And I’ve been to a few around the country. Never had a disappointing visit.
Even the employees that might not be “genius” are pretty great at what they do, If my problem/need is to complex for the person that I’m dealing with, they take me up the ladder to someone who can help. I never get a bad answer, and I’ve never felt that I’m not being helped.
I’m sure that this has a lot to do with the way Apple refers to it’s employees.
Ego is the problem! You have Grade 10 dropouts, with freshly galvanized resolve from their new “genius” designations, prattling on at length about things they know nothing about. The switch on my iphone has been broken for over a month and I haven’t been in to get it fixed because I simply can’t stomach the morons that work at the Apple store.
Amen
So you prefer to have a broken phone and bitch about the “morons” who work at Apple instead of getting it fixed.
Ummm, who’s the moron! LOL
What a moron.
He would rather keep a broken iPhone than get it fixed because he doesn’t like going to the Apple Store.
When my iPhone broke, I went directly to my Apple Store. The iPhone was replaced in less than 10 minutes. When it broke again, it was replaced again in less than 10 minutes.
My iPhone works perfectly now.
Apple’s employees have always been helpful, quickly get out of my way, and solve my problems quickly. They have always provided a positive experience.
This is why I love visiting the Apple Store in every city I travel to.
Oh cry me a river.. You’re soooo lying. Please. You bring it in… and they fix it. End of story.
Maybe, as usual, Apple is following the Steve Jobs way of drama. They are being different. But I personally would opt for a company which at least has the brains to think that a concierge too requires “genius” to work.
YB – why does walmart call of their employees ‘associates’ – it is to raise the employees self-esteem and they will be working harder (hopefully).
what would you rather be called- an Apple Genius or a Microsoft Retail Technical Advisor?
I’d rather be called a “Microsoft Retail Technical Advisor” because I feel that being an “Apple Genius” is condescending. The title is obviously irrelevant when you’re being paid the same and doing the same job, so to me it’s almost as if the company is saying “Watch me trick this stupid bastard by giving him a fancy title and paying him the same as a low level employee” It’s almost like telling a little kid, “Hey! Do you want to trade that stupid 5 dollar bill for this SHINNY NICKLE!?”
So if the title is “obviously irrelevant” would it bother you if your title at work was “pathetic loser”
Something tells me not, as it would reflect the disrespect the company has for you. That would be condescending.
Don’t worry though, no one will be condescending enough to ever call you a “genius”
that makes no sense the “loser” thing
it has nothing to do with this. microsoft is being straight up, apple isnt. end of story
Would you ever walk into an Apple store and ask to see any “Genius” working there?
BS.
As for ego, most people like a longer, fuller sounding title. Try telling your father-in-law that you work as a “genius” at an Apple store, vs. a “retail sales expert” at a MS store.
In case 1, you’ll never get married.
Uh…You mean “Retail Technical Advisor” at the MS store.
You might as well be the “Assistant to the Regional Manager” with a title like that.
wow microsoft blows they can never compare to apple they are trying to seem in the running with these stores but dont realize that they are so far behind what apple has already done that they will never be better than apple
Grammar. It’s not just for Sundays.
+1
This looks like one of those writing exams were you have to find all of the grammatical errors.
I wouldn’t know where to start, in this case.
The cake is a lie.
why can’t they all be dressed up as peripherals? Like, “Mr Keyboard the technical advisor”, “Mr Mouse the retail assistant”.
I’d shop there if they were all dressed up.
agreed.
Because the human form can’t fit into a paper clip shape?
Poor Clippy. Just gets no respect. Oh well, there is always Bob.
CLIPPY: “It looks like you’re shopping for a computer. Would you like to get help shopping for a computer? Just shop for the computer without help?”
I would apply for Apple
Calling your employees “geniuses” is obnoxiously pompous. While I like many of apple’s products (posting using a MacBook), I am deeply disgusted by some of the company’s marketing practices, such as the Apple vs. PC ads that demean PCs. I always think “just” commercials shouldn’t explicitly point out the shortcomings of competitors – let the market be the judge of that! Just show the customers what’s (hopefully )amazing about your products in a non-exaggerated way and be done with it.
/end ranting..
I agree with you Harry, calling shop assistants “Geniuses” devalues the word. They might well have a deep understanding of the product, be enthusiastic about it and all the rest, but Genius is so rare. At best Apple has one Genius (Jobs himself).
I disagree. I don’t believe there is anyone who really expects a true “genius” to be working these positions. However, it does serve well as a simple term that very elegantly and simplistically describes their function.
Further, it’s easier to refer someone to the “genius” as opposed to the “retail technical advisor”. What is that anyway? Are they going to advise you on which “Microsoft” product to buy, or are they going to fix your problem? Wasn’t Microsoft previously using the term “guru” to describe this position? They should have stuck with that. It would have served the same purpose as the “genius” title and it would have make Microsoft’s theft of retail ideas more obvious. Why hide it?
Well said!
Personally, I find Apple’s use of the title ‘Genius’ to label their ‘technical’ retail staffers both insulting to Apple users and quite off-putting. I still buy Apple products but avoid their retail outlets because of the elite they portray.
Maybe it works in the US, but here in Australia it’s just … not very Australian. People who call themselves geniuses are generally considered wankers.
+1
haha, agreed. I find most of Apple’s job titles kinda pretentious but “genius” really takes the cake.
You dress up the title but retail is always gonna be retail. I’d wager any “creative pros” or “business consultants” who wind at an Apple store are either still studying/paying their way through college or in a bit of a career slump
Get a sense of humour, people! Apple use ‘Genius’ with some irony. They are a cult, fun, youthful company: ‘Genius’ is just a short, memorable, aspirational, playful term that fits in with the brand.
I don’t think they seriously consider their staff geniuses on par with Einstein or even want you to believe that their staff are on that level.
The Apple Store Geniuses do tend to be very well trained and love the Apple ethos, which is no bad thing if they have a passion for every aspect of the Apple ecosystem. So much better for enquiring customers. They are more than just ‘Retail Technical Advisors’, which is a bit of a mouthful and rather generic.
I agree. Obviously, some people need to get a sense of humor.
Good luck on getting through to the people who don’t get it.
These are the same people who criticize the Mac commercials by saying the Mac guy is “smug”. If you look closely at the commercials (and the definition of the word) he is anything but.
It says much more about their insecurities than anything else.
Sad, sad people…
agreed!!…anytime ive ever needed a “Genius” to help me all they ever do is exactly the same things ive done: switch it off, back on, software restore…etc whatever, then they just replace the product….
Ever wondered whether your experience is the general experience of the majority of Apple retail customers? Stop being so blinkered. Apple stores have a good reputation.
What’s your point?
Does it not make sense to you that they would go over all those steps first before replacing it?
Actually the Retail Sales Associate more closely aligns with the Apple Specialist role (formerly Mac Specialist). Personal Shopping Specialist is a specialized position that works only on appointment basis and is usually someone who has a lot of experience as a Specialist.
Somehow I don’t think Microsoft or Apple will have any problems finding a line of people wanting to work for them, it’s a job, and that’s all it is. And with that, I doubt either company will get anyone worth a shit.
I know I’d be thrilled to tell people I work at Apple or Microsoft. I just wouldn’t tell them it’s in their respective store.
The difference between apple and MS is that one is still rebranding itself following a series of failed products whereas the other has enjoyed a life constantly at the forefront in computer technology. Apple’s rebrand has been really successful as MS are now mirroring many of their tactics. Titles such as ‘genius’ and ‘concierge’ have clearly workd for apple and I applaud them for that.
Yes, but Apple’s failure to dominate the computer industry despite having a head start or the way they made a complete balls of the PDA industry first tiem around shouldn’t still be held against them, should it?
That was what you meant, wasn’t it?
I’d hope they’d hire idiots instead.
Most of the available idiots have jobs at Apple stores as “Geniuses”.
If you’re a Genius you don’t work retail.
This is interesting. Many of the negative references toward the titles that Apple has chosen for staff in it’s retail outlets, has been words like pompous, elitist, arrogance. Yet you have a negative view on the choice of title and make a pompous, elitist, arrogant comment like that.
Hello Pot, I’m a Kettle. Did ya notice that you’re black?
LOOOOL!!!
They did hire an idiot. They have Ballmer.
Hi MG, what’s all this about BSOD? It’s all a bit 2007, man!
I mean these days a Vista BSOD is about as frequent as a spinning beachball of doom… actually less frequent come to think of it.
Apple: convincing people that their stuff just works right up until you buy it since 1978.
Whatever…The fact that you had to say “these days” is proof of what he’s talking about. Everybody (and their grandma) knows that MS shipped a very buggy Vista. That’s why every OS that MS ships requires an enormous service pack to make the major bugs disappear.
…and by the way, Windows 7 is really a service pack with a different name.
1 big word:
ctrl+alt+end
I think it shows why Apple is gaining in market share, and why there’s so much obsession with Apple. Whether you agree with the ‘Genius’ thing or not, it’s classic Microsoft to come up with some generic, vanilla label for their employees.
Apple makes it fun and interesting. Yeah yeah yeah, the Geniuses may or may not be that sharp, that’s not the point. Apple knows marketing, Microsoft doesn’t. This is proven time and time again.
Sue it’s both ‘fun’ and ‘interesting’ getting your Macbook hard drive mangled by soem minimum wage monkey who hasn’t a clue what they’re doing.
No, really it is.
You can tell a great deal about people’s character from the way they regard folks who serve them, e.g. in shops and restaurants. From the sneering tone of comments here about retail employees, what can we conclude?
You can tell a great deal about people’s character from the way they regard folks who serve them, e.g. in shops and restaurants. From the sneering tone of comments here about retail employees, what can we conclude? That a caste system isn’t only a South Asian cultural reality.
You simply cannot compare apples to oranges. Lol
Do the apple store employees receive commissions like at Verizon stores? I have noticed a lot of up selling lately.
@Greg – you mean: you simply cannot compare Apples to LEMONS.
This experiment is going to be a nightmare for Microsoft and for customers. Microsoft is INHERENTLY UNABLE to resolve inevitable hardware/software conflicts in the way that Apple can…Apple hardware/software is fully integrated and they take 100% responsibility for making sure both work. They have no one else to point the finger towards when the motherboard appears to crap out, unlike MS, who will simply say, “I”m sorry, that doesn’t appear to be a Windows problem, that must be a [insert hardware manufacturer here] problem. You’ll have to call their customer support line in Bangladesh.”
Bing – FAIL
Zune – FAIL
MS Retail – FAIL
By all accounts, Bing is not a failure, it’s been a resounding success, and is gaining market share.
The Zune HD looks very promising and appears to trump the iPod in UI design and technical specs(the OLED screen and Tegra processor blow the iPod away, this is not debatable)….let’s wait until it hits retail before its deemed a failure.
I’m skeptical about the retail stores, but saying FAIL before they’ve even hired employees is utterly retarded.
Sorry but Bing is in no way a “resounding success”! At least not here on planet Earth.
In no way does the Zune look promising, besides, Apple is coming out with new models at the same time the Zune comes out which will put the iPods even further ahead.
I think you have already given us 2 examples of “utterly retarded”
Very weak comeback, very weak son. I’m disappointed in you. You’ve offered nothing in this conversation but “blah blah blah”. Please come harder next time.
MS is ‘inherently unable’ to resolve hardware/software conflicts in the way Apple do?
Excuse me but…
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
*Breathe*
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
MS has to support an almost infinite amount of hardware configurations and ensures that its software runs on them all pretty well (with the exception of Vista’s launch debacle) whereas Apple have to support a handful and have still had to release eight service packs and multiple patches, that is when they’re not apologising for includign dodgy GPUs or Hard Drives.
You haven’t a f**king clue, son.
Please tell me you have no desire to procreate!
Google “XBox 360 red ring of death”
Don’t be so hasty; MS retail has not failed.
Yet.
The truth is seen in the performance of a Windows machine compared to an OS X machine. Name the product… it runs better in the windows environment… Photoshop… name a product. Apple is great at marketing and building pretty gadgets, but their talent stops there. Call your employees what you want…
Put down the crack pipe… Now!!!
As Samuel alluded to if they were all dressed up it would make the experience more Disney-esq and a lot better for both places.
Why? All the clowns use Macs.
Yeah, “clowns” such as Tim Berners-Lee.
Microsoft needs to open a 24-hour store in Manhattan.
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I’m all for the stores if they give us an easier way to deal with Xbox deaths.
The major difference has nothing to do with what each company calls their employees. The major difference is how they view their customers in this equation. It would appear from the MS sales pitch, its all about working for MS and getting opportunities for yourself. The Apple pitch is about helping people = customers succeed. In the end I am sure MS sees this as a “necessary evil, the old fashioned view of a cost center”. While Apple views customer service as a differentiator. Each of these companies will attract who they want, and everyone will be happy with their roles no matter what they are called, customer on the other hand will get a very different experience.
Hope the customer service is better at the Microsoft stores! When people go into a retail outlet you don’t want to be told that you have to come back in three days to see some 18 year old punk with a fashion victim haircut to tell you what the problem is when you already know what the problem is!
first!