Starting With Purpose: In-Person Onboarding in a Remote-First World

The hardest part about remote work is building real connection and purpose when everyone is not in the same room.

At Confluent, we know flexibility is essential, but we also know that great work and a sense of belonging don’t just happen; they take effort. That’s why we’re intentional about how we bring people together, starting from day one.

What Does It Mean to Do “Remote” Well?

For us, it means giving options.

Employees do their best work when they get to choose the working model that works best for them. That’s why, even as a remote-first company, we have offices and hubs all over the world, and our teams prioritize in-person touchpoints throughout the year.

It’s also why we invest in in-person onboarding for new hires. Here, your first day is about more than logistics. It’s the foundation for everything that comes next. When our new hires have the chance to connect face-to-face, they get to know their teams and see firsthand what we’re working toward and why it matters.

Finding Our Purpose as One Team

“Purpose” isn’t just a buzzword at Confluent. It’s the difference between just getting through the day and actually caring about what’s in front of us. Our approach to work is about more than just filling a role. It’s about being part of a team, knowing you have room to grow, and seeing that what you do here makes a difference.

Everyone should be able to tie their contributions to the bigger picture: solving real problems, seeing how our work impacts our customers, and growing with the company as it evolves.

In-person onboarding is one way we make this real for new joiners, making sure “remote-first” doesn’t mean “connection-optional.” Checking off onboarding to-dos is certainly easier in person, but the real reason we do it is because we want people to feel the energy, ambition, and support that comes from being part of a team from the start.

When employees onboard together, they build a mindset that looks past individual roles and orgs and leans into moving the company forward as One Team.

The Best of Both Worlds: Connection and Flexibility

Our remote-first model gives employees the freedom to work from where they thrive. While it might seem like in-person onboarding is at odds with our remote-first principles, it’s the opposite. Because no matter how your team collaborates day to day, we know new relationships benefit from a jumpstart.

In-person onboarding accelerates trust, breaks down silos, and sets the foundation for a successful remote career without sacrificing the power of real connection. It all goes back to employee engagement 101: When employees feel supported and connected, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and make an impact with the company.

Investing in Our Team Doesn’t End With Onboarding

In-person onboarding lays the groundwork for ongoing growth, learning, and career development—no matter where an employee is logging on from—but that’s just the start.

We’re committed to supporting each employee’s growth at every stage, from their first week to their next big move at the company. Our career development program, Growth in Motion, is founded on providing continuous feedback, clear career paths, and opportunities to stretch and develop new skills.

We want our employees to drive their own careers, and we’re serious about giving them the right tools to get them where they want to go.

What’s Next for Life at Confluent

By investing in in-person onboarding, we’re ensuring that welcoming our new hires also sets the stage for them to thrive, contribute, and help shape what comes next for themselves and for our team.

We’re building a workplace where technology is at the forefront, where high-impact work is the standard, and where we find real purpose in what we do.

If you’re looking for a place where your work matters—and where you’ll have support, flexibility, and opportunities to grow—explore the open roles on our Careers site. Your next chapter could start here.