This blog post introduces specific writing techniques and expression tips for effectively incorporating OA skills into your administrative support position resume.
My Distinct Strengths and Weaknesses
“I am fearless.”
One of my favorite fictional characters is ‘Mick’ from Carson McCullers’ novel ‘The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter’. Mick, the youngest girl among the characters, is always humming songs and constantly imagines and dreams about who she will become. She is a bold girl who believes, “If someone tries to hurt me, it’s foolish to just hide in a room like a fool. If someone blocks my path, I’ll throw a punch and keep moving forward.” I deeply resonate with Mick’s character and believe I possess that same disposition.
I often hear people say, “You’re fearless despite being a woman.” Of course, society has structures that show some consideration toward women, but that doesn’t mean I think I can’t do something or should hesitate ‘because I’m a woman’. Rather, I oppose the view that I should worry ‘because I’m a woman’, and I live with the desire to take on as many challenges as possible while I’m young.
There’s one anecdote that perfectly illustrates this side of me. During my university days, I once worked on a team project with exchange students from the US. They were specifically from the American South, and at the time, the perception of them on campus wasn’t particularly favorable. Negative perceptions had formed due to some students being involved in drug issues or violent incidents. In fact, students who ended up doing projects with them would often say, “Don’t expect much; they won’t participate anyway.”
But I didn’t think that way. I thought, ‘We have to study together anyway, so wouldn’t it be good to get along?’ and ‘Don’t we need a chance to share our thoughts?’ So I kept reaching out to them. At first, they ignored me, but as I approached them sincerely, they gradually opened up. Eventually, one of them even invited me to their home. Other friends warned me, “It’s scary,” or “You shouldn’t go,” but I accepted their invitation. We successfully completed our team assignment together, and I still maintain a good relationship with them to this day.
Through this experience, I became convinced that ‘sincerity’ can break down walls between people. Furthermore, it gave me confidence in collaboration. I always enjoyed working with people, but this experience cemented my belief that “anyone can become a friend if you open your heart.” Because I am prepared to accept anyone with an open mind. I believe this is an essential quality for a ‘Kia person’ who will continue to face group living and new challenges.
“Life is a learning journey.”
On the other hand, my greatest weakness is that ‘there is so much I still need to learn.’ Not long ago, I experienced the sudden passing of a close younger sibling who suffered cardiac arrest at a ski resort. It was so sudden and shocking that I was immersed in deep grief for quite some time. This event made me keenly realize that challenges alone are not the entirety of life. While challenges are important, I also realized that ‘there is so much more to learn about life.’
It made me reflect anew on how much I had lived without knowing, and how to truly understand the depth of life and the preciousness of human relationships. Given my lack of experience and youth, I want to learn much more going forward. If I join Kia, I want to learn step by step from my seniors, my superiors, and through diverse field experiences, growing into a more mature person.
I aspire to grow not only in professional skills but also in human qualities—understanding people, learning about life, and building relationships. While learning from books and study is important, I believe the wisdom gained through hands-on experience and direct engagement holds irreplaceable value.
This fearlessness allows me to actively engage with unfamiliar people and environments, a strength I possess. Simultaneously, I strive to maintain humility, recognizing I still have much to learn about life’s deeper meaning. I believe that when these two qualities—a fearless attitude toward challenges and a genuine desire to learn—coexist, I can become a better person. And that is precisely why I wish to grow together under the name ‘Kia’.
Experiences related to the ideal candidate profile: Creativity, Communication, Challenge
“A crisis is an opportunity, and opportunities must not be missed.”
I had the opportunity to volunteer abroad. At the time, our team visited a remote mountain village in China with the goal of building a library for the community and hosting a cultural event together. We had prepared thoroughly for this event over a long period, so everyone was filled with anticipation.
However, an unexpected incident occurred. The speakers we had prepared were submerged in water and rendered unusable. These speakers were essential for the mask dance performance, the centerpiece of the cultural event. The mask dance was the main program designed to share cultural commonalities between Korea and China and foster mutual understanding, making this accident a crisis that threatened the entire project.
Without music, the dance couldn’t proceed, and without speakers, even gathering people became difficult. While the entire team was flustered and disheartened, I came up with an idea to overcome the situation: ‘Let’s sing together.’
We had brought a janggu drum, and I proposed using it to teach a song spontaneously on the spot. Though the team was skeptical at first, they gradually warmed to the idea. I took the lead, teaching Korean folk songs to the local children. The kids, initially unfamiliar and awkward, hesitated at first but gradually began gathering one by one, following the rhythm. As they learned the songs, the children gradually became filled with joy and started dancing. Before long, a scene unfolded where everyone was laughing and dancing together as one.
Surprisingly, this unexpected approach actually enabled a deeper connection. While the mask dance performance we had prepared was a one-way program meant to be ‘shown,’ this singing activity was a shared experience. Through the process of harmonizing our voices and matching the beat, we experienced genuine communication that transcended language.
It was especially impressive to see the elders, who were initially guarded, relax their attitudes, open their hearts, and even offer us local specialties and snacks. This time, spent laughing and enjoying together through sincere exchange rather than simply ‘showing’ culture, yielded results far greater and warmer than we had planned.
Through this experience, I came to understand the saying ‘crisis is opportunity’ not just as words, but as a tangible truth in life. I learned that the power to turn a crisis into an opportunity ultimately stems from action. If I had kept the idea only in my mind without putting it into action, that day’s event would have ended in failure. Moreover, rather than stubbornly insisting on my idea to those who disagreed, I calmly explained and persuaded them, building consensus. Thanks to this, the fact that we had a janggu drum and that someone could play it was naturally shared.
Through this experience, I truly grasped how crucial creative problem-solving, communication skills, and a spirit of challenge are. I also gained confidence that a simple idea can bring people together and create enjoyable experiences even in unfamiliar environments.
Kia Motors is a globally recognized leading company. Through consistent growth and innovation, it achieves remarkable results, and I believe creativity, a spirit of challenge, and the power of communication are at its core. Through these experiences, I have cultivated the capabilities aligned with Kia’s ideal candidate profile. While I cannot claim to be perfectly prepared in every aspect, I can confidently state that I possess the attitude and passion to fully prepare myself.
I can do this. And I am ready to take on the challenge.
Thank you for reading.
