• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Steve Jobs sent brutal email to rival CEO after finding out they were recruiting from Apple

Home> Apple

Published 10:33 16 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Steve Jobs sent brutal email to rival CEO after finding out they were recruiting from Apple

It was truly a mic-drop moment for the Apple co-founder

Bec Oakes

Bec Oakes

It's no secret that the corporate world can be pretty cutthroat and that applies to all levels of the food chain.

So, when Steve Jobs caught wind that another tech firm was trying to poach his employees, his response was completely savage.

Forget the infamous 'beer test,' this easily stands as one of the late Apple CEO's most iconic moments.

After hearing that rival company Adobe was reportedly trying to recruit a number of Apple employees back in 2005, Jobs decided to cut out the middle man and went straight to the big boss with a rather scathing email.

Advert

The poor unfortunate soul at the other end of it was American businessman Bruce Chizen, who served as the firm's CEO from 2000 to 2007.

Steve Jobs wasn't too impressed when he found out Adobe was recruiting Apple employees and his response was pretty savage (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Steve Jobs wasn't too impressed when he found out Adobe was recruiting Apple employees and his response was pretty savage (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

At just after 9.30am on 26 May 2005, Jobs sent the no-nonsense email with a subject line simply reading: "Recruiting."

The body of the email is reported to have read: "Bruce, Adobe is recruiting from Apple.

Advert

"They have hired one person already and are calling lots more. I have a standing policy with our recruiters that we don't recruit from Adobe. It seems you have a different policy.

"One of us must change our policy. Please let me know who. Steve."

What a mic-drop moment!

According to reports, it took Chizen until almost the end of the working day to come up with a response - but he definitely gave as good as he got.

Advert

He said: "I thought we agreed not to recruit any senior level employees (at Adobe this is Sr. Director/VP and represents about 2% of the population).

"I am pretty sure your recruiters have approached more junior ones. I would propose we keep it this way. Open to discuss. It would be good to agree."

It took Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen most of the working day to figure out a response to Jobs' brutal email (THOMAS LOHNES/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)
It took Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen most of the working day to figure out a response to Jobs' brutal email (THOMAS LOHNES/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)

Jobs wasn't impressed and sniped back that if that's the case, he would inform his recruiters that they're 'free to approach any Adobe employee who is not a Sr. Director or VP.'

Advert

Chizen then tried to settle the stalemate by suggesting they both agree 'NOT to actively solicit any employee from either company.'

"If employee proactively approaches then it's acceptable," he added. "If you are in agreement I will let my folks know."

Neither CEO ever commented on the beef publicly but their emails were made public in court documents following a 2010 antitrust lawsuit over tech companies' supposed agreements to not cold call each other's employees for recruitment purposes.

It is against the law in the US to collude with other companies about hiring and Adobe, Apple, Google and Intel ended up paying out a whopping $415 million to settle the suit.

Featured Image Credit: Justin Sullivan / Staff / NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
Apple
News

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 days ago
4 days ago
6 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    Experts warn default WiFi setting is putting your iPhone at serious risk

    Your phone could become exposed to hackers and cybercriminals

    Apple
  • 4 days ago

    iPhone fans baffled after user spots 'black dot of death' at the top of their screen

    It could cost you a not-so-small fortune

    Apple
  • 6 days ago

    You should delete these 5 pre-installed apps if your iPhone is beginning to slow down

    No, you don't need that app you've never used

    Apple
  • 6 days ago

    Little-known weather app trick on iPhone can save you from a surprise rainfall every time

    Never forget an umbrella or coat ever again

    Apple
  • Brutal email Steve Jobs sent to Adobe CEO after he found out they were poaching his employees
  • Steve Jobs 'predicts ChatGPT' in fascinating footage from 40 years ago
  • Steve Jobs gave Jony Ive this 'impossible task' when they first met and it saved Apple from bankruptcy
  • Shocking reason why Steve Jobs was once fired by Apple