How we hire

We put a lot of care and time into who we hire.

We believe that in order to build the best products, we need to build high impact teams. Our recruitment process centres around what we call the Life Story interview, and everyone at Shopify has done one.

The Life Story interview

We've learned that impact can be made in a variety of ways, so the Life Story is about understanding the themes of your life, your career, and what you’ve learned along the way. From work experience to life experience, we want to understand what makes you, you.

Success at Shopify is largely determined by how you approach challenges. During the Life Story we look for moments, professionally and personally, where you exemplify the traits that will help you thrive at Shopify.

  • Impact - Do you make things better not only for yourself, but for those around you?

  • Self-awareness - Do you have an understanding of your strengths and also how you impact those around you?

  • Trust - Are you able to communicate authentically and do you have a history of building high trust with others?

  • Readiness - Do you have the skills or potential to do the job you’re applying for?

  • Engagement - Do you have a high degree of care for what you do in work and in life?

“If I have a really tough problem to solve, the quality of the solution is directly correlated with the diversity of the people in the room that are trying to make the decision. People living different lives and coming into the room from different directions really makes a big difference.”

Quote from: Tobias Lütke Chief Executive Officer
Tobias Lütke Chief Executive Officer

The process

We want you to meet with a variety of people from different teams, and get a sense of what it’s like to work together. This means our interview process takes a bit more time so we can get to know each other.

  1. Initial call

    This is a quick conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager. It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about the role and we’ll ask some questions about your experience and your interest in Shopify.

  2. The Life Story

    This is a one hour, conversation-style interview. The best way to prepare is to spend some time reflecting on all of the experiences you've had and the things you've done to bring you to the point you're at today. Then, be ready to settle into a genuine two-sided conversation.

  3. Meet the team

    We want to create the opportunity to meet as many future co-workers as possible. This way, you can get to know the people you could be working with, and the problems they’re currently solving. You can expect to meet between 3-5 people for up to an hour each.

  4. Decision and offer

    Collecting diverse feedback from Shopify team members of varying levels of seniority, experiences and perspectives is an important part of how we work. Your hiring team will take the time to meet, and come back to you with a decision.

Anna Lambert Director, Talent Acquisition

Your partner along the way

Our recruiters and coordinators will be supporting you throughout the process. Feel free to ask them questions about what to expect, who you will meet and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • What does Shopify look for in a potential candidate?

    We look for people who value the people they work with and the business owners we support. We hire people who care about constant learning, making an impact everywhere they go, thriving on change, building for the long term and making great decisions quickly.

  • How can I prepare for my interviews?

    Your recruiter will provide you with more information on what to expect and how to prepare for your interviews. There is no need to prepare for the Life Story interview. Our hope is to have a genuine, two-sided conversation about something you know best - yourself!

  • Can I apply for more than one job?

    Yes. We recommend selecting only 1-2 roles that you believe are the best fit for yourself and the next step for your career. Please limit to 3 applications within a 30 day period. During the process, your recruiter will also help you explore the best options for you.

  • What should I wear to my interview?

    Come as you are. Maybe you think best in a three-piece suit; maybe you have a favourite t-shirt and jeans combo—we're happy as long as you’re comfortable.

  • I have applied/interviewed in the past and wasn’t selected. Can I apply again?

    Absolutely. If re-applying for the same role, we encourage you to first gain additional experience. For engineering roles, we ask that you wait 6-12 months before applying again.

  • How long is the interview process?

    You can expect to meet a recruiter and 3-5 team members for up to an hour each. Our recruiters and coordinators will create a schedule that works best for you.

  • When can I expect to hear back after I have applied?

    Our recruiting team reviews every application, and we follow up with everyone regardless of the outcome. Unless otherwise stated, you can expect to hear back from us within two weeks after you have applied.

  • What if I need an accommodation for the interview?

    No problem. If you need accommodations for the interviews, please let your recruiter know or contact accessibility@shopify.com.