20 Shopify Interview Questions and Answers

As Shopify continues to grow in popularity as a platform for small and medium businesses, more and more companies are looking to hire Shopify experts. If you’re hoping to land a job with a Shopify-using company, it’s important to be prepared to answer questions about your experience with the platform.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Shopify interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Shopify Interview Process

The interview process at Shopify can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, with some requiring more. The first round is usually a life story interview, where you will be asked to talk about your experiences. This is followed by a technical interview, which may include a coding exercise. For some positions, you may also be required to give a presentation. Overall, the interview process can be lengthy and challenging, but it is generally a positive experience.

1. Describe a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize them.

Shopify is a platform that requires you to multitask and prioritize your tasks. This question allows the interviewer to assess how well you can manage multiple projects at once, which is an important skill for this role.

Example: “In my previous position as a web developer, I had to juggle multiple clients and projects at once. One of my clients was in need of a new website design while another needed help with their e-commerce store. I started by creating a timeline for each project so I could stay organized and ensure both websites were completed on time.”

2. Tell me about a project that failed, what did you learn?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to failure. It’s important to be able to learn from your mistakes and show that you’re willing to do so in an interview.

Example: “I once worked on a project where I was tasked with creating a new landing page for a client. The client wanted the page to have a specific call-to-action, but I didn’t include it because I thought they would want to add their own CTA. When I presented the page to them, they were unhappy because there wasn’t a CTA. They ended up removing me from the project.”

3. What is your experience with Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails is a framework that allows developers to create web applications using Ruby. It’s one of the most popular frameworks for developing Shopify apps, so your interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience with it. If you do, share an example of how you used Ruby on Rails in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve worked with Ruby on Rails before and I find it very useful when building e-commerce sites. In my last position, I was tasked with creating a new website for a client who wanted to sell their products online. Using Ruby on Rails, I was able to build a site that integrated seamlessly with Shopify.”

4. How would you deal with an unhappy customer who is being rude?

Shopify is a customer-facing platform, so it’s important that you have the ability to handle difficult customers. Your answer should show your problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they are being rude. I would then apologize for their experience and offer them an alternative solution or refund. If they continue to be rude, I would politely end the conversation and block them from contacting me again.”

5. Provide an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and how you can help the company achieve its goals.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with their website. They were looking for a specific feature that our platform didn’t have, so I researched other platforms that did offer it. After researching several different options, I found one that would work best for them and helped them set up their new site.”

6. Outline the steps you take when solving a problem.

Shopify is a complex platform, and you may be asked to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the steps you take when solving a problem in order to show that you have experience with Shopify’s features.

Example: “When I’m working on a Shopify project, I first assess what needs to be done. Then, I research how to do it using Shopify’s resources. Next, I create a plan for implementing my solution. Finally, I implement my solution and test it.”

7. Are you able to work in a team environment?

Shopify is a cloud-based platform that allows users to create and manage their online stores. As such, it’s important for employees to be able to work well in teams. This question helps the interviewer determine if you’re able to collaborate with others on projects. In your answer, explain how you’ve worked as part of a team in the past.

Example: “I have experience working in a team environment at my current job. I’m currently one of three developers who are tasked with creating new features for our client’s ecommerce store. We communicate often about what we’re working on and bounce ideas off each other when we need help or advice.”

8. Why do you want to work at Shopify?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on the organization and have a basic understanding of what they do.

Example: “I want to work at Shopify because I’m passionate about helping small businesses succeed online. Your company has been successful in providing this service, which makes me excited to be part of the team. I know that I can bring my expertise as a developer to help create innovative solutions for your clients.”

9. Do you have any experience working as a software engineer?

Shopify is a commerce platform that allows users to create and manage their online stores. Shopify’s engineers are responsible for developing new features, fixing bugs and maintaining the company’s software. If you have experience working as an engineer, your answer should reflect this.

Example: “I worked as a software engineer at my previous job where I was responsible for creating new features and maintaining our software. One of my favorite projects was when we were tasked with creating a feature that would allow customers to purchase products from multiple websites using one account. This project required me to work closely with other developers and designers to ensure all aspects of the project were completed.”

10. If hired, how would you improve our support platforms?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to take initiative and make improvements in the workplace.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current support platforms, including social media channels and forums. I’d then create a plan for how we can improve customer service through these channels. For example, I might implement a live chat feature on our website so customers can get answers to their questions more quickly. I would also consider implementing an FAQ page to help reduce the number of inquiries we receive.”

11. Which programming languages are you familiar with?

Shopify is a platform that’s built on top of the Ruby on Rails framework. This question allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of programming languages and how they relate to Shopify.

Example: “I’m familiar with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Ruby. I’ve used these languages in my previous role as an e-commerce specialist at ABC Company where I was responsible for creating custom themes and templates for clients using these languages. In addition, I also worked with developers who were proficient in Ruby on Rails to create new features and functionality within the Shopify platform.”

12. Have you ever taken part in a design sprint?

A design sprint is a process that involves the collaboration of various team members to create and test ideas in a short period of time. This question allows you to demonstrate your ability to work with others, as well as your problem-solving skills.

Example: “I have participated in several design sprints throughout my career. I find this method to be an effective way to solve problems and develop new products or services. During one project, we were tasked with creating a mobile app for our client’s business. We used a design sprint to help us come up with solutions to our client’s needs while also meeting their budget.”

13. What is your experience with HTML/CSS?

Shopify is a platform that allows users to create and manage their online stores. As such, it requires its users to have some experience with HTML/CSS coding languages. Your answer should show the interviewer your familiarity with these languages and how you use them in your work.

Example: “I’ve been using HTML and CSS since I started my career as a web developer. These are essential skills for any web developer, so I learned them early on. In fact, I find that they’re useful even outside of development because they allow me to make changes to websites more quickly.”

14. What is your favorite e-commerce website?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the Shopify platform. It also allows you to show your creativity and how you would design an e-commerce website.

Example: “My favorite e-commerce website is Amazon because of its vast selection, competitive prices and fast shipping. I think it’s important for any business to have a similar experience when customers shop on their site. If I were to create my own e-commerce website, I would want to make sure that it was easy to navigate, had plenty of product information and allowed customers to easily find what they’re looking for.”

15. How often do you like to be in contact with your teammates during a project?

Shopify is a cloud-based platform that allows you to work with your team members from anywhere. This question helps the interviewer understand how often you like to be in contact with others and if you prefer face-to-face communication or digital collaboration.

Example: “I enjoy collaborating with my teammates, so I would want to have daily check-ins with them throughout the project. However, I also know that sometimes it’s necessary to work independently on certain tasks. In this case, I would set weekly goals for myself and communicate those goals to my teammates.”

16. How do you think AI will impact the e-commerce industry in the next 5 years?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of emerging technologies and how they can impact the industry. Your answer should include an explanation of what AI is, its potential benefits for e-commerce businesses and how you would use it in your role as a Shopify developer.

Example: “AI has the potential to completely transform the e-commerce industry by making online shopping more convenient and personalized for customers. For example, I could develop an app that allows customers to take a picture of their outfit and receive recommendations from my store based on their preferences. This technology will also allow me to automate many of my daily tasks, which will free up time so I can focus on other important projects.”

17. What skills make you uniquely qualified for this position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what Shopify does and how it can benefit businesses. You should also use this time to highlight any skills or experience that make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Example: “I’ve been working with e-commerce platforms since I was in college, so I’m very familiar with the challenges small business owners face when trying to sell their products online. My previous work experience has given me valuable insight into which features are most important for helping businesses succeed. This knowledge makes me uniquely qualified to help your clients achieve success on Shopify.”

18. Can you tell us about a time when you worked on a product development team?

Shopify is a platform that allows businesses to create online stores. As such, it’s important for Shopify employees to understand the needs of their customers and how they can improve upon existing products. This question helps interviewers assess your teamwork skills and ability to collaborate with others on projects.

Example: “In my last role as an e-commerce specialist, I worked on a team of developers who were tasked with creating a new product line. We met regularly to discuss our progress and brainstorm ideas for new products. In the end, we created several successful product lines that helped increase revenue by 20%.”

19. Why does Shopify’s mission resonate with you?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of Shopify’s mission and values. This is an opportunity for you to show that you understand the company’s goals and how they apply to your own career goals.

Example: “I believe in Shopify’s mission to help small businesses succeed online because I want to be a part of making commerce more accessible to everyone. As someone who grew up with a single mother, I know firsthand how important it is to have access to affordable goods and services. When I think about my future career goals, I want to work at a company that shares my passion for helping others.”

20. Shopify places a great emphasis on company culture, why do you think it is important to focus on company culture?

Shopify places a great emphasis on company culture, and it is important to show that you understand why this is the case. Company culture can be an indicator of how well a business will perform in the future, so it is important for Shopify to hire people who are committed to creating a positive work environment.

Example: “I think it’s important to focus on company culture because it shows your employees that they matter. When I worked at my previous job, we had a very strong company culture, which made me feel like I was part of something special. It also helped us create better products and services for our customers.”