Apple: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Apple Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in a garage in Los Altos, California. The company was incorporated on January 3, 1977, as Apple Computer, Inc. and later renamed Apple Inc. in 2007 to reflect its expansion beyond personal computers. Apple's stated mission is "to bring the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services." The company is headquartered at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, a 175-acre campus that opened in 2017.

Apple's product portfolio includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. These hardware lines are supported by a services ecosystem that includes the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV+, Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple News+. Services revenue has become a significant segment of Apple's business, exceeding $100 billion annually. Apple is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAPL and has maintained its position as one of the most valuable companies in the world by market capitalization.

Apple's retail division operates more than 530 Apple Store locations worldwide, with approximately 272 stores in the United States. Retail positions include Specialist (sales), Genius (technical support), Creative (training), and management roles. On the corporate side, Apple employs engineers, designers, marketers, supply chain specialists, operations staff, and AppleCare support representatives. Tim Cook has served as CEO since August 2011.

Company culture and employee programs:

Apple's workplace culture emphasizes innovation, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration. The company offers a benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with coverage beginning on the first day of employment. Apple provides a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions that scale with tenure, reaching a 100% match on the first 6% of base salary for employees with five or more years of service. Additional programs include an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, on-site wellness centers at major campuses, fitness facilities, and up to 12 paid sick days annually. Part-time retail employees are also eligible for certain benefits, including paid vacation time and health coverage.

Yes. After extending a contingent offer of employment, Apple can request a background report through a third-party consumer reporting agency (CRA). Screening helps the company validate applicant information and support workplace safety and compliance standards. Retail roles and corporate roles may have different screening requirements depending on the position's responsibilities and access level.

Most employment background checks can be completed in three to five business days, but timing varies with the screenings ordered and record accessibility. Database searches can close in minutes, whereas searches that require manual courthouse retrieval or follow-up paperwork may extend beyond a week. See Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times for details.

A background check report may include:

Look-back periods vary by state law, position, and the CRA's data sources. Many employers focus on the past seven years for most convictions, but certain roles or jurisdictions may require or permit longer review periods. Candidates should review state fair-chance or "ban-the-box" laws to understand applicable limitations on background check reporting.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to obtain written consent before ordering a background report, provide a copy of the report plus a "pre-adverse action" notice if they may take negative action based on the findings, and allow reasonable time for candidates to dispute any inaccuracies. EEOC guidance also recommends an individualized assessment that considers the nature of any offense, its age, and its relevance to the job duties.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Apple may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.