At Routinery, We’re Not Looking for the “Perfect” Productivity Guru
"Since they make a productivity app, aren't the interviewers flawless, disciplined machines?" "Does everyone there wake up at 5 AM for a Miracle Morning and live a perfect life?"
To clear up these common misconceptions and help you prepare, we gathered Routinery’s three main interviewers Ian (CEO), Jane (Tech Leader), and Dina (Growth Manager) in one place.
Putting aside the evaluator's lens, they share their honest thoughts as future colleagues on the kind of talent Routinery truly seeks.
1. We Value the "Will to Improve," Not Perfection
Just because we build Routinery doesn't mean we are "pro planners." In fact, we are ordinary people who face our own imperfections and simply want to improve them.
Dina "To be honest, I use Routinery the most when my daily life is crumbling or when I’m going through a hard time. If you’re already living a perfect life, you might find it hard to empathize with why our service is necessary. We are a team that empathizes with people who need a tool to live the life they want to live."
Jane opens the app when she wants to use her time more densely amidst endless options, and even Ian (CEO) relies on Routinery's checklist when he wakes up late or his day gets tangled.
Ian "I also rely on the checklist when my day goes wrong. We don't make this app because we are perfect; we make it because we need it."
You don’t need to try so hard to look perfect in the interview. We prefer someone who acknowledges their imperfections and has the will to improve them over someone who claims to be already complete.
2. A Company That Naps? It’s Not About Sleep, It’s About "Trust"
"Trust is the highest form of human motivation."— Stephen Covey
"Good colleagues are the best benefit" is a great saying, but it can sound cliché. Let’s talk about a more tangible example: Napping.
We sometimes openly take naps during work hours. Does that sound too lax? To us, rest is a "Pro's Rhythm." Just like an F1 racing car takes a pit stop to achieve top speed.
Dina:"I sleep to immerse myself more deeply in the next task. It’s much more efficient to sleep for 20 minutes and restart refreshed than to engage in 'fake work' by forcing myself to sit in front of a monitor."
CEO Ian describes this as "Solid Trust."
Ian:"I have never doubted my colleagues when I see them sleeping. I believe that everyone is managing their condition as a professional. Not doubting the reality we stand on trusting each other is the best form of welfare."
We are looking for people who know how to control their own work rhythm. If you know your rhythm and work proactively, feel free to immerse yourself in your own way!
3. On Your Resume: Less "Fluff," More "Why"
Reviewing countless applications, we sadly encounter many resumes with similar formats. We see many buzzwords like "data-driven" or "proactive," but often lack the evidence to back them up.
Dina:"If you write 'Data-driven Marketer,' your portfolio must show how you interpreted the data and what actions you took. Rather than words everyone else uses, sentences that contain your genuine struggles even if they seem rough catch my eye much more."
Talking about data without showing data is a common pitfall. So, how should you present your story?
Jane offers a tip:"If you want to emphasize problem-solving skills, it’s best to structure it as [Problem Context - Solution Process - Impact]. I’m curious about what problems you actually solved, rather than a simple list of 'what I did'."
When writing your resume, please focus on the "Why."
- Why did you choose that tech stack?
- Why did you decide to change jobs?
- Why Routinery, specifically?
If you have your own answers to these questions, the format doesn't matter.
4. The Interview: It’s Not a Quiz to Find the Right Answer
"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it."— Simon Sinek
An interview isn't a test to check for the correct answer; it’s a conversation to align our "Values." We often ask deep questions about the applicant's life and attitude.
Ian:"I look for an attitude of answering confidently without hesitation when asked about oneself. There is a certain conviction that can only be shown by those who have fiercely pondered about themselves and their work."
Jane:"I prefer candidates who speak with specific examples. If the situation and the basis for their judgment are clear when discussing past experiences, I can expect them to solve problems proactively when we work together."
Through these questions, we also hope to show you Routinery's values and culture. We hope you also observe us asking these questions and consider whether we are a company that fits you and if we are a team you want to join.
Routinery asks questions, but we love receiving them even more. Asking and answering helps us feel and know more about each other.
5. Global Skills: "Fearlessness" Matters More Than "Fluency"
Since we are building a global service, some applicants feel burdened by English proficiency. But we are not looking for native-level fluency.
Ian:"To create a global service in Korea, an attitude of accepting diverse content and cultures from around the world without prejudice is essential. We don't look at whether you speak English perfectly, but whether you have the will to grow without boundaries of information."
Jane agrees:"For developers, it's enough if you have no fear of reading and understanding high-quality technical documentation in the original text. The important thing is not the language itself, but the attitude of trying to acquire knowledge from the wider world."
Of course, fluency is important. But what’s needed first is a fearless attitude to crash through information barriers. After all, there are plenty of tools these days to ease our fears!
Routinery is not a finished organization yet. We have many challenges to solve, and we struggle fiercely every day toward our vision. But because of that, the opportunity is open for you to proactively change things.
Dina:"This is a place where if there is something you want to do, you can persuade and lead it. It will be the best environment for those who want to pave their own way rather than follow a path decided by others."
If you want to lead your own growth and work based on trust with colleagues, please knock on our door anytime. The Routinery team is ready to listen to your story.