Shopify Consultant Interview Questions
& Process

It was pretty easy. I got an email to set up an interview, which was a quick 30 minutes. The interviewer was nice and it felt more like a casual chat. At the end, she asked if I had any questions and mentioned they'd email me with next steps.

So, the whole hiring thing is like a 7-step process, and the first three are the big ones. You start by just sending in your application along with a sample support email and a typing speed test. Seriously, try to hit over 50 WPM. Then there's this 'unbiased' interview, which is basically a situational interview where you talk your answers into a microphone, record it, and send it off. No need for a camera, thankfully. If they like that, the next step is the 'Life Story' interview. My recruiter was super nice, felt like they actually read my resume and we just chatted about my past experiences and my career path so far, not like a typical Q&A. The last interview, the 'gauntlet' or technical one, is pretty intense. You've got two 15-minute chats at the same time answering questions, then a 10-minute call back with another question to solve. It's meant to give you a feel for the actual job. I actually bailed on this last technical interview though, because I realized the role wasn't the best fit for me, but honestly, the process was pretty cool, even if it was different from what I'm used to.

I applied for the Support Advisor role in mid-November, and the entire hiring process spanned three weeks. It kicked off with my application, which included a typing test and a scenario question. Next was an online assessment on Knockri, followed by a 'Life Story' chat with a recruiter. Then came the Technical/Gauntlet Interview, and finally, a Reference Check. I found the opening on LinkedIn and applied through the company's site. I didn't have any prior connections to Shopify, though I was familiar with their e-commerce platform. To show genuine interest, I highly recommend creating your own test store, as it also helps prep for the technical test. The Online Assessment featured behavioral questions, like discussing past failures or successes, which are pretty standard. This part was great because it was an online, untimed interview where you record your responses on Knockri, and it's transcribed, removing voice or bias. After that, you get invited to the 'Life Story' interview. As many have said, it's a relaxed chat where you discuss your past experiences, with the recruiter asking follow-up questions. Just be yourself and be ready to talk about your work! I'm not sure how they evaluate this stage, it feels a bit subjective, and I don't know if people get rejected here. The next step, the technical interview, is tough, no sugarcoating it, but it's designed to mimic a day in the life of a Support Advisor. I prepared by watching YouTube videos and playing with my test store, using the Shopify Help Centre. Having prior e-commerce experience (Etsy, Big Cartel) helped me get started. If you don't have this, setting up a test shop is essential! You'll handle two simultaneous chats with a recruiter playing a merchant, acting as if you already work at Shopify. There's a 15-minute time limit. After the chats, the recruiter asks about your experience; be honest and self-aware, going beyond just saying 'it was good' to discuss what you really thought. Even with fast typing and lots of studying, the chats were challenging. Remember to ask the merchant more questions about their business while you're finding answers, break down solutions step-by-step, and guide them through it. I ran out of time on the chats and didn't fully address the second one, but I at least provided links for future reference. Always thank the merchant for their patience; I kept saying things like, 'Just give me a moment and we can go through the steps together.' The experience was fast-paced and hectic, giving a realistic taste of the daily work. I found it interesting and stimulating but also stressful. Post-chats, you have a phone call with the same recruiter, again acting as a support advisor helping a merchant. This was easier as you can search and talk simultaneously, but still, match the merchant's energy/tone and provide information concisely. The recruiter was friendly and made it a pleasant experience, offering great feedback afterward. After this, you'll get an email to submit three references via a third party, so have your references' emails ready and let them know in advance. My technical interview was on Wednesday, references were submitted Thursday/over the weekend, and I received an offer call on Monday from my 'Life Story' recruiter! It's a fairly long process for a customer support role, but I'm excited to join the team!