Tim Cook reveals 4 traits he looks for in Apple employees
Cook told the university graduates from Italy, that he noticed Apple’s success depends on its culture and who it hires. For instance, the company typically seeks out employees with 4 shared skills:
- Ability to collaborate
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Expertise
“It’s been a very good formula for us” Cook said, noting those traits also contribute to an ambitious, yet supportive workplace culture: “It’s not like somebody goes in a corner or closet and figures out how to build technology by themselves.”
As he spoke, he appeared to rank the skill sets in that order. He said the reason collaboration is so important is because it combines all three of the other skills. “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. And that collaborative process is how Apple creates products” Cook said.
That sense of teamwork lends itself to creativity and curiosity, as all three are needed to launch new or improve old ideas, he said.
“We look for people that think different — that can look at a problem and not be caught up in the dogma of how that problem has always been solved. It’s a cliché, but there are no dumb questions. It’s amazing when somebody starts to ask questions as a kid would do.”
But whether Apple’s hiring tactics consistently ensure a positive working environment is up for debate. This year, the company dropped off Comparably’s annual list of global companies with the best workplace culture.