This blog post introduces how to craft a resume that connects your special environment and experiences growing up close to coffee to the professionalism and authenticity suited for a barista role.
Background
As a child, influenced by my parents who possessed deep expertise in coffee and various beverages, I was introduced to the worlds of drip coffee and black tea earlier than my peers. While today many people prefer selecting their own beans and tea leaves to enjoy their desired taste and aroma rather than drinking processed instant coffee, such a culture was not yet widespread back then. However, my parents had already accumulated deep knowledge based on their rich interest and expertise from that era. They had a desire to open a cafe, but without the practical means to support it, they ultimately kept it as a dream. After retirement, they always held the hope of running a quiet cafe and spending their later years in leisure.
I, too, was profoundly influenced by my parents, opening my eyes to the world of coffee and tea. I gradually cultivated the ability to perceive and distinguish the delicate aromas and subtle differences in taste. Since taste and smell are senses that develop slowly without consistent training and appropriate stimulation, I honed my abilities keenly, responding to my parents’ expectations and guidance. Developing a mature palate earlier than my peers and being able to explore the rich and deep world of taste was undoubtedly thanks to my parents’ meticulous care and attention. While I certainly had innate talent, how to awaken and develop it depended entirely on my own will and effort. Therefore, I have always strived wholeheartedly to ensure the potential within me could fully blossom. The foundation that shaped who I am today was laid by the convergence of the senses my parents passed down to me and my own unceasing dedication.
School Life
There was a time when, rather than vaguely chasing after prestigious schools and high grades, I constantly explored what practical steps were needed to realize the goals I truly desired. My peers often spoke as if life would unfold smoothly simply by attending the best possible school within their reach and landing a job at a company society deemed ‘good’. However, I didn’t want to attend a school disconnected from my career path or interests just to make a good impression on others, regardless of my own passion.
I understood well that if I wanted to walk a different path, I needed to recognize that fact early on and prepare thoroughly. So I swiftly gathered information and actively sought out experiences to acquire various qualifications and skills in the coffee industry and food and beverage sector that could prove my capabilities. For me, that process itself was more than just preparation; it was an important journey of establishing my own path.
Of course, some people advised me, “You’ll regret it someday if you live like that,” regarding my choice to stray from the conventional ‘normal track’ for children. But I wanted to become someone who stands firm by their own will, an unshakable talent, rather than being swayed by others’ words or blindly following societal notions. In a society where majority opinion is often treated as absolute truth, I believed that avoiding being swept away by conventional wisdom required a clear sense of self and firm values.
Of course, I too sometimes felt confused, wondering if the path I was taking was truly the right direction or if I had made the wrong choice. Whenever that happened, my parents would comfort me and cheer me on. My parents told me that when they once dreamed of opening a cafe, they faced a lot of negative comments from those around them. Yet they overcame those trials and had the experience of turning their dream into reality. So they always told me: “Only those who overcome the hardships of reality and grow can ultimately achieve the dreams they desire.”
Looking back, during that time I wasn’t just a student racing toward a goal; I was growing into someone who forged their own path. And the faith and confidence gained through that process will become the unshakable center of my life, no matter what challenges I face ahead.
Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality
I possess a determined personality, consistently striving to clearly achieve what I set out to accomplish. I understand well that anyone who loses their own principles and gets swayed by societal norms or others’ prejudices will ultimately settle for ambiguous, mediocre results. This realization stems from the painful experience of witnessing this process unfold right beside me. I had a cousin who was quite good at studying, but he ended up unable to properly set his own path because he was swayed by his parents’ excessive interference and the endless advice of those around him. Like a driver constantly changing lanes and driving nervously, his life was always unstable and precarious.
She too had clear interests and vague dreams she cherished, but living under her parents’ strong interference, constantly being swayed and harassed daily, she gradually lost her motivation. Sadly, the result was a life that quietly faded away without achieving any meaningful accomplishments. Watching this unfold, I made one firm resolution: ‘I must establish an unshakable standard and advance steadfastly toward the goals I dream of.’ Her story became a painful lesson for me and the driving force that propels me forward today.
Of course, I have always guarded against letting this tendency of mine drift into excessive self-righteousness. I hold onto the belief that while maintaining a firm sense of self that isn’t swayed by others’ words, I must willingly accept advice when I recognize my own mistakes and use it as nourishment for my growth. I constantly reflect to ensure my convictions don’t degenerate into arrogance or stubbornness, striving to never lose my flexibility. I believe maintaining this balance between firmness and an open mind is what makes me stronger and more mature.
Life Philosophy
I am deeply grateful for the innate talent I possess in fields I enjoy and love, and I strive to faithfully fulfill the calling I have been given. People often say, “You can’t turn your hobby into a career,” emphasizing the need to guard against the mistake of recklessly pursuing a passion without first objectively assessing one’s abilities or considering practical realities. However, thanks to the talents and influence I inherited from my parents, I discovered and nurtured my aptitude from childhood, refining and developing it further.
I do not view this fortune merely as a divine blessing to be grateful for. Rather, I have always believed it is my duty to meticulously explore ‘how far I can extend this talent’ and strive to maximize its potential. Just as a string of beads only becomes a treasure when strung together, no matter how brilliantly innate talent may shine, it is meaningless to simply linger intoxicated by that light. I strive to find the right path and dedicate my life to consistent effort on that path, so that talent may shine with an even more beautiful and valuable light.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations
From childhood, influenced by my parents, I developed a deep interest in all aspects of food and beverage, cultivating my own discernment and expertise. Stepping off the familiar path trodden by my peers, I have strived from an early age to seek my own direction and success. Although reaching my parents’ level of expertise may not be immediate, I have consistently honed my skills to savor and appreciate flavors, preparing in advance to find the ideal coffee I pursue. I believe this attitude and experience align well with your company’s values, which favor talent possessing a philosophy and discernment about coffee and tea that transcends mere preference. This is why I am applying.
Should I have the opportunity to work with your company, I will not merely repeat or rely on the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated as an amateur. Instead, I will quickly absorb the virtues and skills I must learn anew as a professional. Based on this foundation, I aim to grow into a completely new version of myself. I am well aware that no matter how much personal effort and experience has led to some level of achievement, the world of professionals holds an endless amount to learn. Therefore, I will learn with a humble heart and, through this process, further solidify my capabilities. My aspiration is to grow alongside your company and expand my own coffee philosophy deeper and wider.
