Kakao Reveals Onboarding Program for New Developers: 'New Hire Onboarding TF'

Kakao has established the New Hire Onboarding TF to facilitate the rapid adaptation and growth of new developers, operating a systematic onboarding program that spans from before joining to two months after. This process focuses not merely on task handover, but on sharing Kakao's culture and the vision of being a developer.

Pre-hire Stage: Expanding Touchpoints with Prospective Crew

Kakao's onboarding begins at the interview stage. Applicants are offered office tours to experience the actual development environment, and successful candidates receive congratulatory cards and gifts personally delivered by the co-CEOs in a 'Congratulatory Visit.' Additionally, successful candidates are invited to the Pangyo office for Fun Fun Day, where they network with Chairman Brian, CTO Maidin, and senior developers.

Job Exploration and Cultural Adaptation: Planet Day and Four Crew Characteristics

To aid in understanding job roles before joining, candidates explore specific roles through Planet Day, which involves leaders from various fields such as server, client, and infrastructure. After joining, new hires spend approximately two months in the 'Becoming a Kakao Crew' module to cultivate the following four core competencies:

• Proactive Responsibility: Fostering horizontal communication and a problem-solving attitude
• Problem Definition Ability: Defining social problems and seeking solutions through the '100up' process
• Teamwork and Sharing: Experiencing collaboration and feedback culture through product creation simulations using Lego blocks
• Continuous Growth: Mentoring with senior developers and establishing self-directed competency development plans

After completing this process, new developers participate in technical training and projects in the 'Becoming a Developer Crew' stage before being assigned to their operational departments.