This blog post introduces methods and structuring strategies for conveying customer service experience in a general sales self-introduction in a persuasive manner, rather than simply listing it.
My Upbringing
“Respect Diversity.”
My family had characteristics that set us apart from others from an early age. The most significant feature was that our relatives lived clustered together in one area. Another was the presence of diverse ethnicities among them. My mother’s siblings married foreigners and had mixed-race children, and I naturally grew up interacting with these younger cousins. My father’s side was similar. One of my father’s brothers married a Black woman and had mixed-race children, while another brother had an international marriage with a Vietnamese woman and lived together. Growing up in this environment where multiple races and cultures blended within one family, I naturally developed an open perspective toward diverse cultures from a young age.
Respecting diversity was never difficult for me. Living with relatives from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, I naturally realized there was much to learn by listening to their lives. Conversations sparked curiosity about foods I hadn’t encountered before, and within them, I discovered traditions and family cultures similar to Korea’s. I also found joy in seeing how Canadian, Kenyan, and Vietnamese cultures differed in marriage customs, popular culture, and music, yet how those differences actually enriched each other. This experience taught me to guard against unconsciously falling into prejudice and helped me grow into someone who genuinely respects diversity.
During high school, I began learning German and French, and in college, I majored in German, embarking fully on the path of language studies. Throughout this journey, my aunt and uncle from Canada were a tremendous source of strength. Both were fluent in German and French, respectively, and I cultivated my language skills by conversing with them whenever I had the chance. My uncle, being of German descent, not only had strong German skills but also a deep understanding of German culture, making our conversations consistently fascinating and enriching. Furthermore, seeing him work at a German multinational company left a strong impression on me. Witnessing this inspired me to set the goal: “Someday, I too must work at a multinational company and become someone who communicates with the world.”
Thus, my growth journey stemmed from multicultural experiences within my family and expanded into language learning based on that foundation. The attitude of understanding and respecting diverse cultures became the driving force propelling me into a wider world, and it will remain a crucial value guiding my life and career path moving forward.
Special Note
“There is value in what you gain by being late.”
Today’s society strongly emphasizes doing everything quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s getting a job, entering university, or even starting something new, the phrase “the younger, the better” pushes people to hurry. I, too, started my social life earlier than most. As a child actor, I appeared on television and grew up under the spotlight of public attention. Acting at a young age and receiving praise from those around me was incredibly enjoyable. But that joy didn’t last long. After entering school, the excessive attention became a heavy burden, negatively impacting my studies and friendships.
Through that experience, I realized that starting too early isn’t necessarily always good. I came to believe that taking things a bit slower, with more breathing room, is actually better. I came to believe that the time gained by delaying allows for deeper reflection, and that reflection helps choose the path that truly suits me. So, I decided to end my child acting career and focus on my studies. I particularly poured my energy into foreign language learning. During high school, I attended a foreign language high school, studying German, English, and French, striving to acquire various languages. Throughout this process, I chose to learn step by step rather than rush.
Even after entering university, I majored in German and built my conversational skills step by step, without rushing. After graduating, I went to study in Germany, living locally to fully immerse myself in the culture and language. Living this ‘slowly’ revealed a completely different texture compared to the fast-paced life I had rushed through as a child, seeking attention. A life of calmly building my capabilities and steadily expanding them felt far more natural to me than constantly rushing ahead.
As a result, I gained extensive knowledge about Germany and Europe as a whole, along with deep language proficiency. This achievement, born not from haste but from calmness, demonstrates that ‘being late’ in life is never a sign of falling behind. I have proven through experience that sometimes, walking slowly allows you to go farther and more firmly.
Career Experience
“Work Experience in Hotel Services”
After majoring in German at university, I gained experience working at a hotel catering primarily to international guests. Starting as a new hire, I began with relatively simple tasks. However, I actively sought to learn a broad range of duties essential to hotel operations, gaining experience in both service and administrative roles.
In the service department, I greeted guests at the front desk, confirmed reservations, and handled reservation guidance and consultations over the phone. I understood that the foundation of hotel service is always a ‘friendly smile and tone of voice,’ so I consistently practiced my speaking manner and smiling expression. While the tasks themselves weren’t particularly difficult, maintaining friendliness all day long was never easy. Especially in the mornings, I greeted guests with a bright smile, but by the afternoon, fatigue would build up, and my energy would gradually wane. Whenever that happened, I reminded myself to maintain a ‘professional smile.’ A professional smile might seem like just a smile with the mouth, but it was my own work know-how—a way to regulate my emotions to make a good impression on the customer in that moment.
For office work, I handled hotel operation program management, list organization, and data entry. There was a computer system that managed all hotel services; I entered the necessary data accurately into it, systematically classified materials, and meticulously managed them to ensure compatibility with existing data. Throughout this process, I strived to demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and diligence. Particularly, since the hotel I worked at had many foreign guests from Europe, such as France and Germany, I frequently handled customer information and reservation details in English. This significantly improved my English report writing skills and my ability to recognize English text.
My hotel experience meant more to me than just a job. It allowed me to develop diverse capabilities, from customer service attitudes to meticulous data management and language skills. Most importantly, I personally realized that ‘kindness and professionalism must become habits,’ and I am confident this will be a crucial asset in my future career.
Post-Hire Aspirations
“A talent equipped with fundamental skills and travel knowledge”
I understand your company is a global enterprise operating flights to Europe with a domestic branch. Having majored in German and studied English and French extensively, I have long dreamed of working for a foreign company like Lufthansa Korea and have prepared diligently. After graduating from university, I gained overseas experience while also working at an international hotel, where I acquired practical experience in the service sector. The majority of the hotel’s visitors were foreigners, and I primarily served French and German guests, leveraging my language skills. My deep understanding and knowledge of German culture enabled me to communicate smoothly with German-speaking customers and branch representatives, naturally building trust and networks.
My long-term experience in the hotel industry has been a significant asset in deeply understanding service roles and simultaneously provided an opportunity to accumulate extensive multinational travel information. Specifically regarding European travel, I possess sufficient knowledge and experience to explain travel information to customers without needing separate materials. I am confident this capability can be immediately applied in an airline like yours. Furthermore, during my hotel tenure, I frequently recommended your airline to guests for flight bookings, giving me a solid grasp of airline operations and reservation procedures.
Leveraging my language skills, service experience, and travel expertise, I pledge to diligently fulfill any duties assigned by your company and strive to become a continuously growing professional. I am committed to evolving alongside your company’s values and vision. Thank you.
