Perspectives on Onboarding: Joining Shopify as an Engineering Leader

Jennie Lundrigan

What’s it really like for new engineering leaders at Shopify? I asked Avanti Ketkar and Maria Robledo, who both joined the team this past year, to spill the tea about their first few months. They share their perspectives on how the onboarding experience helped them build context, relationships, and trust.

Shopify

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Jennie Lundrigan

•13 min read•intermediate•

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•View Original

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Overview

The article discusses the onboarding experience for new engineering leaders at Shopify, highlighting the importance of a structured and thoughtful approach to help them integrate into the company culture and technical environment. Avanti Ketkar and Maria Robledo share their personal experiences, emphasizing the value of building relationships and understanding the company's mission and values during the onboarding process.

What You'll Learn

1

How to effectively integrate into a new engineering team at Shopify

2

Why building relationships is crucial for leadership success in remote environments

3

How to leverage onboarding programs to understand company culture and values

Key Questions Answered

What is the onboarding experience like for new engineering leaders at Shopify?

New engineering leaders at Shopify experience a structured onboarding program designed to help them integrate into the company culture and understand the technical environment. This program emphasizes learning, relationship building, and understanding the company's mission and values, which are crucial for their success.

How does Shopify's onboarding program differ from traditional onboarding?

Shopify's onboarding program is intentional and comprehensive, focusing on providing new hires with the context and tools they need to succeed rather than a 'learning by fire' approach. This helps new leaders build relationships and understand the company's operations more effectively.

What are the key takeaways from the onboarding experiences shared by Avanti Ketkar and Maria Robledo?

Both Avanti and Maria highlight the importance of having dedicated time for learning and relationship building during their onboarding. They emphasize that understanding the product and the merchant experience is crucial for effective leadership.

What advice do Avanti and Maria give to new hires at Shopify?

Avanti advises new hires to continuously build context and engage with technical documentation, while Maria emphasizes the importance of taking time to learn and set boundaries. Both encourage building personal connections with colleagues.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Invest time in understanding the company's culture and values during onboarding.
This foundational knowledge will help you make informed decisions and lead effectively within your team.

2
Prioritize building relationships with your colleagues early on.
Strong connections can facilitate collaboration and support, especially in a remote work environment.

3
Utilize the onboarding period to learn about the product and the merchant experience.
This understanding is essential for making impactful contributions and aligning your team's goals with the company's mission.

Common Pitfalls

1

New hires may feel guilty about not being productive during the onboarding phase.

This can lead to unnecessary stress; however, onboarding is a critical time for learning and relationship building that ultimately supports long-term productivity.