I applied online and several months later, received an email inviting me to a hiring event. The first day included informational videos about working at Apple and everyone (about thirty applicants) was invited to introduce themselves and say something about their background, what was most fun about their favorite job, and why they would be a great fit for Apple. At the end of the informational portion of the interview we were divided into groups to answer behavioral interview questions (standard situational questions). We were told we would get a call within an hour about whether we would progress to the second interview.
I received a call within the hour and scheduled the second interview for the next day. This interview was me and one other person. We each had a 2:1 interview at the same time, then switched interviewers (one set was general sales background and qualifications, the other was basic product knowledge). Again, they promised to call if I was selected.
Regrettably, I did not receive a job offer, and I know exactly why. I really didn't prepare at all for this interview. I have a pretty solid background in retail sales including high tech consumer electronics, and I use apple products every day. I figured I would be fine. With just a little preparation, I would have been fine. It had been a while since my last interview and I wasn't prepared for behavioral questions in the second interview (or the first really) and while I use Apple products I don't use most of the software that they sell. Perhaps the worst thing I did however, was present myself as more interested in being compensated than helping Apple. Obviously I wasn't aware I was doing this at the time, or I wouldn't have done it.
Also, it would have been nice to receive a phone call saying, 'you were not selected' or even a no-reply email.
At the time of the interview I really was more concerned with the other options I was pursuing. I got ahead of myself during the second interview because I was so confident I would get the position, and I asked about benefits and compensation (which of course should really be saved for after receiving the job offer).
Apple is (from what I can tell by interacting with different employees in the store) primarily concerned with hiring people who are fun and have a sociable personality (while there are bright people at the store, some of them I've met were clearly lacking).