An engineering manager from Shopify reached out to me directly. After a couple of initial conversations with them and a recruiter, I was scheduled for a pair programming interview. I felt good about the process going in. I solved the problem using a mix of coding and AI, which they explicitly said was encouraged, I spoke through my thought process and updated my solution based on questions from the interviewer, and I was clear about where I took shortcuts due to time constraints. It quickly became apparent that there was no real interest in understanding my background or leadership experience when my pair programming interview was followed by a generic message saying they were moving forward with candidates better aligned with the team’s needs. How that determination was made without a single question about my leadership track record is unclear. Evaluating fit for an engineering manager role based almost entirely on a pair programming interview makes zero sense. When I asked for feedback, I was told it was “too early in the process” for them to provide feedback. Thanks for wasting 4 hours of my time. I was also encouraged to apply again in six to twelve months, despite never having applied in the first place. The process felt like a box-ticking exercise rather than a serious hiring conversation. Be clear about what you are hiring for. Don’t waste candidates’ time. Treat people with respect, regardless of seniority. I won’t engage with Shopify again, though I expect they will continue to reach out to support their outreach numbers. At this point I’d rather work for minimum wage at a local cafe than to engage in any way with Shopify.