According to Tim Cook, Apple looks for these 4 skills/traits:

1. Ability to collaborate
2. Creativity
3. Curiosity
4. Expertise

He seems to think of them in that order too. Collaboration is key because it encompasses the other 3. It is the fundamental notion that if I share my idea with you that the idea will grow and get bigger and better. That’s how Apple creates products. This creates a sense of teamwork which lends itself to creativity and curiosity – all things needed to improve or launch new products. We want people that are not caught up in the dogma of how something has always been solved. It’s amazing when somebody starts asking questions as a kid would.

I have found that questioning fundamental assumptions does sometimes lead to really unique re-thinking of problems.

Links:

• https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/02/tim-cook-says-there-are-4-traits-he-looks-for-in-apple-employees.html
• https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/03/5-traits-tim-cook-looks-for-in-an-apple-employee.html