This blog post guides design job applicants focused on practical experience on how to effectively weave their field experience into their resume.
Growth Process
“Effort is valuable, and a mountain is formed from grains of sand.”
I have a desk I’ve kept all these years. It’s old and worn in places, but that’s precisely why it’s precious. I bought this desk myself when I was in fifth grade. You might wonder how a fifth grader could afford a desk, but I was the kind of kid who saved my allowance diligently enough to be named the savings champion every year. Money wasn’t plentiful at home, but that actually motivated me. I decided I shouldn’t waste money carelessly, just like my parents. Watching my mother buy clothes once and wear them for ten years made me want to do the same. Seeing my father buy a pair of shoes and wear them for five years made me think I should do that too. So I saved diligently, and as a result, I managed to save nearly one million won. And because my parents were also saving, we were able to move for the first time when I was in fifth grade. Until then, we’d always rented someone else’s house, so we had to be careful all the time. I never got to buy anything delicious properly and never even ordered jajangmyeon once. But now, to have my own house? I was truly happy. And when we got our house, I used the money I’d saved to buy the desk I’d wanted so badly, my very own desk. Holding my father’s hand, I went to the furniture store myself, picked out the best desk, and spent the money. I still remember the thrill of that moment. Back then, I realized the importance of saving. I learned that waiting to buy something good, waiting to buy something even better, could be this enjoyable. From then on, I naturally developed a spirit of thrift and learned to resist temptation and practice restraint. That’s why I still keep a household account book to manage money well, and I aim to pass on this frugal spirit—our family motto—to my children, who are just starting to crawl.
Personality Introduction
“A person with positive energy and drive.”
My personality is positive. When I work on designs, the word I hear most often from those around me is actually ‘positive’. Design work typically requires a lot of time and effort, yet it’s rare for someone to truly recognize that time and effort and entrust you with the work. More often than not, people assume it will be done quickly and give you an unrealistic deadline, demanding you finish within that time. Because of this, especially in my position working on subcontracted jobs, the work is often difficult, and pulling all-nighters is common. But I never got angry or frustrated in those situations. Instead, I approached it with a sense of fun, thinking, “Here it comes.” People around me, about to get angry, would see me and laugh, saying, “There goes that positive energy again,” and we’d work together. This is how I maintain the composure to smile no matter what comes my way. Ultimately, it’s because I know I can handle it, and I believe that whatever needs to be done should be done with a smile. And I am someone who possesses the drive to be this positive. Once I start a task, I don’t move until it’s finished. That’s why people who entrust work to me tend to do so with confidence.
A flaw in my personality is that I tend to be relentless when working, so occasionally people say I come across as cold during tasks. However, I believe this is work, and it requires coldness and zero mistakes. Cutting things off decisively while working is only natural. Therefore, outside of work, I make an effort to look after people and show my good side.
School Life
“I enjoyed socializing and learned a great deal through group activities.”
I’ve loved socializing since elementary school. I especially loved soccer, so during every break, I’d go outside to play soccer, kick the ball around, and hang out with friends. Even in high school, I always went out during lunch to play basketball and relieve stress. Growing up in the same neighborhood, my friends were all similar, and I still play sports with them to this day. Getting together every Sunday to exercise and share stories about life is incredibly fun. Furthermore, entering university and participating in group activities again taught me a great deal. Particularly through volunteering clubs and reading discussion groups at university, I realized everyone has different perspectives. Sharing those thoughts felt like my previously confined way of thinking gradually broadened. The volunteer club, with its strict senior-junior hierarchy, also taught me about respecting those relationships. Other notable points include serving in the Marine Corps, which tested my limits and rebuilt my spirit, and having won awards through competitions.
Major Selection and Self-Development
“Mechanical Design Engineering, Certification Acquisition”
I majored in Mechanical Design Engineering. I’ve always had a hobby of tinkering with machines, and I was drawn to design because of its appeal in requiring meticulous attention to detail. During my studies, I learned about methods and theories necessary for creating parts by cutting raw materials in various ways through Machine Tool Technology, I also studied Materials Mechanics, focusing on the fundamental principles of mechanics and the analysis of equilibrium structures, covering the application of mechanics principles from one-dimensional to three-dimensional continua. I further solidified my foundation through courses on Combustion and Pollution, and Automotive Engineering. Practical skills were honed through Materials Strength, which delves into specific concepts of material yield and the mechanisms and models of material failure not covered in Materials Mechanics. Building on this foundation, I obtained the General Mechanical Engineer certification. More recently, acquiring the Mechanical Equipment Engineer certification provided an opportunity to further enhance my knowledge of machinery, equipment, and design.
Motivation and Aspirations
“I will be a diligent and meticulous employee.”
I worked at a specialized subcontracting company focused on design and equipment, primarily handling projects from a company that designs and assembles parts for refrigerators. My responsibilities there included reassembling machinery arriving at the factory, modifying and assembling it to fit our factory’s systems, repairing defects in existing machinery, and designing machinery that combined the strengths of both existing and new machines. During busy periods, the workload was substantial, which naturally allowed me to become highly familiar with the tasks and learn to work quickly yet accurately. Building on these skills, I am now preparing to apply for a position at your company.
If I am fortunate enough to join your company, I promise to be diligent. I also pledge to strive for meticulous and flawless design work. Your company is a solid enterprise that professionally operates factories, creates new components, and communicates with global corporations. Working for your company would instill great pride in me and foster a sense of responsibility. Building on that responsibility, I will diligently work to enhance the quality of my work. I will strive to become a reliable employee. I look forward to your consideration.
