This blog post introduces how to persuasively express a responsible attitude in your resume when applying for purchasing/materials roles, using concrete examples.
My Upbringing
“Ask for directions even if you know the way.”
This phrase best captures my upbringing.
Growing up in a large family, I received strict training in etiquette and manners from my parents. They didn’t coddle me or indulge me just because I was a daughter. They were particularly firm in teaching me proper attitudes and respect towards elders. In that environment, I naturally developed an attitude of respecting and prioritizing the needs of older people. Whether sharing delicious food or attending any gathering, prioritizing elders was considered natural. I learned that even if I had my own opinions, in the presence of adults, it was proper etiquette to prioritize their views and act accordingly.
As a child, I simply thought this was the way things should be, but over time, I came to realize how invaluable this education has been to me. Its strength is particularly evident in collaborative situations where working with others is essential. I am accustomed to listening to others’ opinions, coordinating, and collaborating harmoniously rather than pushing my own ideas forward when working with someone. Thanks to this, I have naturally taken on the role of anchoring discussions and harmoniously gathering opinions during presentations and team projects.
Furthermore, my parents always emphasized humility, and under their influence, I cherish the attitude of “asking even when you know the way.” Even when I believe I know something, I double-check it. I actively listen to others’ stories, constantly checking if there’s something new to learn within them. Therefore, I listen with an open mind to anyone’s words. Even if it’s a familiar topic, I revisit it, striving to find a better direction. This humble attitude has positively influenced my relationships, and I believe it’s one reason I’ve been particularly cherished by older individuals. While I get along well with peers, having many mentors who cherish and look out for me is a great blessing and asset.
Through education and experiences within my family, I naturally internalized values like courtesy, consideration, and humility as I grew up. I take pride in believing this foundation shaped who I am today. Moving forward, I aim to maintain this humble attitude of “asking even when I know the way,” striving to grow harmoniously through collaboration with others.
Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality
My greatest personality strength is my exceptional sociability and ability to adapt quickly to new environments. I communicate smoothly with diverse people and blend in easily, adapting rapidly even in unfamiliar situations or new settings. This disposition allowed me to build relationships with many people while working various part-time jobs and to work without difficulty in each different situation.
Especially since my family’s financial situation wasn’t affluent, I had to experience many part-time jobs, and I believe my character was further strengthened through that process. I tried to maintain a positive attitude in any environment and strove to find harmony even with difficult situations or challenging people. My most memorable experience was working at a performance venue. There was a manager who disliked me for no apparent reason. While he overlooked tardiness or absences from other new hires who joined at the same time, he was uniquely strict with me. People said, “He picks on you because you seem easy to push around,” but I believed complying with my superior’s instructions and working diligently was the right approach.
By silently fulfilling my responsibilities, seeking guidance from seniors, and persevering, that manager eventually recognized my sincerity. At some point, their attitude toward me softened; they even initiated conversations, and our relationship improved. Through this experience, I personally learned that a sincere attitude and flexible approach ultimately yield positive results, no matter the difficulty.
Furthermore, I am adept at quickly grasping the atmosphere of new people or organizations and naturally blending in accordingly. Not only am I not shy, but I enjoy listening with an open mind to others’ words and embracing new knowledge or cultures. This allows me to quickly become close with new people and fit in seamlessly anywhere. I believe these qualities will be significant strengths as I form diverse social relationships and adapt to new tasks or environments in the future.
Choice of Major and Reason
I chose Food and Nutrition because this major felt most meaningful and important to me. From a young age, I naturally grew up understanding the importance of meals. Observing the adults around me, I personally witnessed how balanced meals profoundly impact health maintenance, leaving a lasting impression on me. Witnessing firsthand how regular, healthy eating can reduce various illnesses and hardships, I realized that dietary balance is directly linked to quality of life.
Based on these experiences, I developed a desire to study food not only for my own health but for the health of many others, and to use that knowledge to develop better products. This goal was the decisive reason I chose Food and Nutrition. Upon entering university and formally beginning my major studies, I discovered this field was far deeper and more diverse than I had imagined. The synergistic effects that occur when various food groups harmonize, and the consideration of this in meal planning, sparked great interest and motivation in me.
Through my major courses, I learned about the physiological structure and functions of the human body. This allowed me to deeply explore what nutrients individuals need to live healthily and what foods can be beneficial for people with illnesses. Beyond simply maintaining health, I researched methods to prevent disease and improve overall health levels. This led me to contemplate how this field could contribute to the advanced industrial and information society of the future.
I am immensely proud of all the knowledge and experiences gained in the Department of Food and Nutrition. And with that pride, I can confidently say I approached my studies with more diligence and passion than anyone else. Moving forward, I wish to consistently contemplate and implement ways to contribute to people’s healthy lives, building upon the knowledge acquired in this major.
Extracurricular Activities
“Understanding Consumer Diversity through the Hanwoo Experience Group”
Recently, I was selected for the ‘Hanwoo Experience Group,’ which gave me the opportunity to visit the heartland of Hanwoo cattle and experience the field firsthand for a week. While touring Hanwoo farms, I learned about the rearing environment and management methods. I also gained detailed experience on how to enjoy various cuts of Hanwoo deliciously and even learned recipes applying this knowledge.
The most memorable part of this experience was meeting diverse people who love Hanwoo. I had always simply thought people liked Hanwoo because it was tasty and nutritious. However, the people I met on-site enjoyed Hanwoo for their own distinct reasons. Some said they ate it because they loved its beautiful, delicate color. Others mentioned they enjoyed the sound it made when grilling. There were people who deliberately chose only beef because they thought pork was risky, and others who said their constitution only allowed them to eat beef.
Hearing these diverse preferences and reasons, I suddenly wondered, ‘Have I been approaching food too academically all this time?’ While majoring in food and nutrition, I focused solely on nutritional components, recipes, and scientific approaches. Yet, I realized anew that actual consumers choose and enjoy food from far more varied perspectives.
The Hanwoo experience group activity meant more to me than just a simple farm tour. Through meeting diverse people, I truly felt that consumers cannot be explained by a single standard, and that the reasons behind their choices are far broader and deeper than I had imagined. This experience instilled in me an attitude to understand the ‘people’ who are the subjects of food planning or analysis with greater care.
Communicating with diverse consumers and indirectly experiencing their preferences and ways of thinking through this program was a profoundly meaningful time for me. I am confident that my perspective on food will become more multidimensional and flexible going forward, and I believe this experience will undoubtedly serve as a positive foundation for my career.
Career Philosophy
“The most important thing is what goes into your mouth.”
As I mentioned earlier, what I value most is ‘what goes into the mouth.’ While people focus on various values in life, I believe ‘food’ is the most fundamental and should be prioritized. Especially in an era like today, where society changes rapidly and people’s lifestyles grow increasingly complex and diverse, we must pay even greater attention to ‘what we eat.’ Food transcends mere sustenance; it is a crucial factor determining health, quality of life, and even the direction of one’s life.
For this reason, I view my profession not as a simple job, but as work that directly impacts people’s lives. Just as a doctor is responsible for a patient’s health, I too, entrusted with matters concerning consumers’ food, work with a corresponding sense of responsibility. I constantly remind myself of the significance of my work and strive to perform my duties calmly and diligently.
Furthermore, I am committed to continuous learning and growth for my own development. To stay attuned to the evolving market and consumer needs, I will diligently monitor trends and actively engage in fieldwork to understand the current landscape. Grounded in my passion and responsibility for my work, I will relentlessly pursue better outcomes.
Motivation and Aspirations
“I want to grow alongside Sajo Haepyo as it leaps onto the global stage!”
Sajo Haepyo and Sajo Daelim are proud companies representing Korea’s food industry, elevating Korea’s standing in the global market. Their remarkable export achievements and strong customer loyalty, built from a relatively small country, are clear evidence of how thoroughly and meticulously these companies have prepared. It is with this earnest desire to become part of such a trusted company and join its growth journey that I apply for this position.
If given the opportunity to work at this company, I pledge to grow based on three commitments. First, I will be a responsible team member. I will always keep in mind that my work can change someone’s day and build the company’s trust, approaching every task with responsibility and sincerity. Second, I will be someone who continuously develops. While I am currently proficient in English and Japanese, I will proactively learn Chinese with the Chinese market in mind. I will cultivate the ability to quickly grasp and sensitively respond to consumer trends worldwide. Third, I will be someone who maintains a humble attitude of learning. True to the old saying, “Listening to elders’ words brings unexpected benefits,” I will treasure the advice and experience of my seniors and always approach my work with a learning mindset. Wherever I am, I will collaborate based on courtesy and humility, striving to be a trusted colleague.
I hope to become a talent who can contribute, even in a small way, to the future of Sajo Haepyo, and I sincerely hope this sentiment is conveyed. Thank you.