A Novel Take

Dear Shopify,

I’m applying for a job as a guru. I think I’d be an awesome fit for the position and that I could really contribute to the continued success and growth of your company!

I’m friendly and outgoing, and love meeting new people. I’m looking for a job that involves helping customers and promoting a positive company image. Last night I had a long and tedious conversation with a certain cable provider, and I realized that I wanted to provide the exact opposite experience. When a customer gets off the phone with a representative for any company, they should feel better than they did before making the call. That’s the kind of service I want to provide.

I thrive in fast-paced environments. Basically, I’d rather be on the phone and shooting off e-mails than staring into blank space and clicking my pen. In the past, employers have told me that I’m a quick learner and that I work well under pressure. I’m fast at adapting to new situations and I have rhino-thick skin. I think these attributes would really help me succeed as a guru.

A few years ago, I graduated with a degree in English Literature. I love language and communication, and I think my literary background would allow me to excel as a guru. I enjoy writing and speaking, and I pride myself on being confident and skilled in both areas. I’m a hard worker and I won’t be satisfied until the job is done properly. I want to work for a company that challenges me and that provides me with an environment in which I can be creative and push myself every day. I want to look forward to coming in to work every morning.

After completing my undergrad, I worked at an insurance company for about a year. I was responsible for talking to brokers and clients over the phone and though e-mail. This job really allowed me to perfect my communication skills, and now I am confident and effective at providing advice and support, be it in person, over the phone, or through e-mail. Although this job was a great learning experience, it just wasn’t for me in the long run. I’m looking for something that I can be passionate about. I’m looking for a fun and motivating lifestyle, not just a typical nine-to-five.

After resigning from the insurance company, I took some time off to pursue a lifelong passion: writing a novel. I completed my book a few weeks ago, and I will be publishing it as an e-book at some point over the summer. And now I’m looking for a new challenge. My time in school, my passion for books, and my experience writing all helped me develop a skillset that, in my opinion, makes me a solid candidate for guruland. In addition, I have a strong understanding of internet culture and social media.

Just as important as my skills and abilities, however, is the demeanor I bring to the workplace. I prefer an environment that encourages me to be myself over one that promotes a robotic, monotonous persona. I’m easy to get along with and I have a pretty great sense of humour. While it’s important to work hard, I believe it’s equally important to have fun and to form great relationships with coworkers. Based on what I’ve heard about Shopify, I’m under the impression that it wouldn’t just be a great place to hone my skills and work hard, but also to make new friends and contribute to a fun environment. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than working with a group of dedicated colleagues to help a company succeed.

Thanks for your time! Yours truly,

Matthew Ferraro