This blog post explores how to write an MD self-introduction letter that confidently highlights your strengths. Discover how to naturally showcase your unique strengths.
My Growth Journey
I used to be an unstoppable troublemaker. Add to that my clumsy nature, and people around me often called me a “troublemaker.” Then one day, my mother suggested, “How about learning calligraphy?” and my father immediately had me grind ink. Starting to grind ink beside my father, who enjoyed calligraphy as a hobby, was my first step into the world of calligraphy.
The year I entered elementary school, regardless of my own will, I ground ink under my father’s instruction. Kneeling beside my father on that first day of grinding ink, he spoke at length about the mindset and posture required for calligraphy. The quiet time spent grinding ink was never easy for my young self. Once he picked up his brush, my father never uttered a word, and I, unable to endure the silence, would often speak up, breaking the stillness. Each time, Father would sternly scold my impatience, emphasizing the ‘importance of endurance.’ Those accumulated hours became a crucial foundation for transforming my character into that of a calm and patient person.
Throughout all six years of elementary school, Father never once told me to pick up the brush. He only entrusted me with grinding ink. In the past, I would have immediately begged to learn, but having accepted my father’s teaching, I did not rush forward. Then, the year I entered middle school, my father finally placed a brush in my hand for the first time. At that moment, I stood at the threshold of a new world of calligraphy.
After first holding the brush, I spent a year mastering the correct grip and fundamental techniques. My father taught my hand movements and posture meticulously, like a master artisan passing down his craft. On the day of my second year of middle school, when I first wrote characters with the brush, my hand trembled with tension, and the characters were a mess. However, thanks to the solid foundation I had built, I soon became accustomed to brush writing. As my confidence in my writing grew, I naturally became interested in Oriental painting. I was particularly captivated by the charm of ink wash painting, which I encountered for the first time, and became deeply immersed in that world.
Looking back, this growth process was not merely about developing my calligraphy skills. It taught me how to persistently continue one thing over a long period, how to calmly synchronize my breathing without rushing. And that experience had a decisive influence on my decision to major in Oriental painting. What shaped me into who I am today was the patience and concentration I learned grinding ink at my father’s side during my childhood. Those times are the crucial cornerstone of my life and the sturdy roots that will continue to support me.
School Days
During my school days, influenced by my parents, especially my father, I entered an art college and majored in Oriental painting. Then, I saw a friend’s work—a stunning ink painting created on a computer—and was utterly captivated by its charm. I realized, ‘Beauty isn’t expressed only with a brush,’ and immediately began learning computer programs. After mastering the programs, I continued my artistic work and created a blog to share my creations with others. As time passed and my portfolio grew, more people requested to follow me, and now quite a few enjoy and share my work.
I also designed a unique font style, drawing on the calligraphy skills I learned from my father. This font won an award in a contest and is now actively used in various places. Running the blog steadily attracted people interested in my work, and occasionally I received inquiries asking if they could use my pieces to introduce their own products. This experience opened my eyes to a new field—marketing—even though I had majored in fine arts.
In my third year of university, though somewhat late, I took foundational business courses to build my knowledge base. Looking back, I feel it was a wise choice to immerse myself in my studies then. Had I not even tried because I thought it was ‘too late,’ the person I am today wouldn’t exist. My passion for business studies drove me to learn consistently, allowing me to build a solid foundation. Among the business courses, Marketing Theory was the area that particularly captured my interest.
Looking back, the passion and spirit of challenge during my college years were the driving forces that shaped me. Finding my own path connecting art and business was only possible because of those choices and efforts. Moving forward, I aim to share my work and ideas in a broader world, building upon these two experiences.
Personal Strengths and Weaknesses
Learning calligraphy consistently since childhood helped me cultivate perseverance and patience. Though I was naturally a bit scatterbrained, I believe the quiet time spent grinding ink beside my father taught me to calm my mind and cultivate my spirit. My father likely had me grind ink for a full six years not merely to form a habit, but as an educational strategy to instill perseverance and patience.
Calligraphy is not merely the act of writing characters; it is a task that can only be completed by purifying one’s mind and focusing all one’s spirit on the tip of the brush. As you carefully write each character, deep concentration naturally develops. I am certain that the concentration I gained through calligraphy has positively influenced all aspects of my life.
First, its effects are particularly noticeable in learning. Though I never formally studied speed reading, I can read text faster than average. This is because I could increase my reading speed while maintaining focus to accurately grasp the flow and meaning of the text. Thanks to this, during middle and high school exam preparation, I could thoroughly read the test material at least twice, significantly boosting my learning efficiency.
This concentration became a major strength in my professional life as well. By fully immersing myself in tasks, I made fewer mistakes, leading to higher work efficiency. Efficient task handling became the foundation for taking on more responsibilities, and as I gained diverse practical experience, my expertise and problem-solving skills developed alongside it.
Ultimately, the perseverance, patience, and concentration gained through calligraphy have remained consistent strengths throughout my academic years and professional life. I believe these qualities are not merely skills or abilities, but a crucial foundation supporting my entire work and life. Moving forward, I aim to build upon these qualities to achieve results in broader fields.
Career History (or experience demonstrating work capabilities)
I began my career immediately after graduation, taking on marketing and PR duties. My primary responsibilities included creating promotional brochures and planning/producing videos based on client requests. Proficient in various programs, I actively participated in diverse stages beyond basic production, such as video editing and proposing creative concepts. The most crucial skill in this process was accurately identifying client needs and effectively translating them into tangible outcomes. Therefore, when taking on new projects, I made a point to have thorough discussions with the responsible parties to deeply understand their requirements and intentions. This approach allowed me to build trust with clients and establish myself as a reliable practitioner who accurately delivered the desired message.
Later, I transitioned to a consulting firm, where I gained experience in more creative work. My role involved meticulously analyzing each company to identify strengths that could enhance growth potential and areas for improvement, then presenting concrete recommendations. While meticulously examining company-specific characteristics and market conditions, I keenly felt the need for a broader understanding of overall management. To address this, I began studying with the goal of obtaining a business administration certification. This certification is known to be a challenging course even for business majors, but during my pursuit, I gained more specialized and systematic knowledge directly applicable to my practical work.
Thus, through practical experience in marketing and PR alongside corporate consulting work, I have developed diverse capabilities including customer needs analysis, creative planning, and strategic proposal development. Moving forward, I aim to create valuable outcomes in broader fields based on this experience and knowledge.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations
Anna Freud once said:
“I always looked outward for strength and confidence, but confidence comes from within. It is always there.”
Before starting any task, I always take time to calmly organize my thoughts. During this process, I reflect inwardly, concretely outline what needs to be done and how, and steady my own resolve. This preparatory process allows me to possess unwavering confidence. I believe true confidence isn’t given from outside; it’s something you build yourself. I believe opportunities come to those who work hard, and with perseverance and patience, I walk steadily along the path I’ve chosen, one step at a time, without haste.
Although I majored in art, I have always held a deep interest in marketing and public relations and have worked tirelessly to build my knowledge of business management. Artistic sensibility can be a significant strength in promotional work, enabling me to propose more creative and effective strategies. As a talent equipped with capabilities in both art and business, I aim to leverage this synergy at your company and establish myself as a capable member.
Should I join your company, I will not stop here but will continuously strive for self-development and enhancing my capabilities. I hope you will witness my sincere attitude and my progress.
