This blog post details how to effectively weave practical experience into your Product Planning/MD resume.
Growth Process
“Our family starts each day with study.”
Our family’s day always begins with study. My father, a railway civil servant, dedicates himself to self-improvement even amidst his busy work schedule, consistently preparing for promotion exams. Every day at 5 a.m., despite likely being tired, he wakes early to study English through online lectures. Seeing him like this, my drowsiness vanishes, and I naturally sit up straighter. His example has always inspired me, and I would often sit beside him to study English together. Thanks to this, throughout middle and high school, I could keep up with English classes without needing extra tutoring or cram school.
My mother, too, is always passionate about learning. As a cooking instructor, whenever a new recipe is introduced, she meticulously studies it, tries it herself, and then reinterprets it in her own way to incorporate into her cooking. So, our family’s early mornings are always bustling. On one side, the sound of English lectures flows out, while on the other, the aroma of freshly made food fills the entire house.
I grew up naturally observing my parents like this from a young age and learned the value of the early morning hours early on. I physically felt how starting the day a little earlier than others makes a huge difference, and the habit of preparing in advance for important matters was cultivated within that environment. The diligence and sincerity my parents demonstrated through their actions became more than just a lesson for me; it settled into a way of life. I believe it is the most precious asset that shaped who I am today.
Life Goals and Practical Efforts
“Let’s not become shameful people.”
I have always lived with the phrase “Don’t be a person who brings shame upon yourself” deeply engraved in my heart. This sentence is both the guiding principle of my life and the standard that keeps me grounded in any situation. Therefore, no matter the task or the setting, I have always strived to be someone who, upon self-reflection, would not feel ashamed. This mindset remained consistent whether facing big or small matters.
For instance, I once worked a part-time job assisting with video filming. I followed the camera director on a variety show set, serving as an assistant on location, and ended up being the youngest member of that team. I took the job because I desperately wanted to experience the field of directing, but once I started, it proved far more difficult than I had imagined. Reversed day-night schedules, grueling work, and the daily disrespect and criticism that came with being the youngest were the norm. Honestly, there were more than a few moments when I wanted to run away. But I persevered with the mindset that “all this experience will ultimately become part of me.” I worked diligently, fueled by stubbornness and a sense of responsibility: ‘I will learn here and prove myself someday.’ After several months, when my contract ended and I was returning to school, the director handed me some pocket money and said, “I thought you wouldn’t last, but you held on well. There was no one else who did as well as you.” To me, those words were the greatest reward of all, proving that my approach to life wasn’t wrong.
Another experience was when I was responsible for a concert organized by a magazine company during my internship. It was a rather heavy task for an intern, but I approached it with the mindset, “Since it’s my responsibility, I’ll see it through to the end. As long as I’m not ashamed of myself.” In reality, big and small problems kept cropping up during the preparation process. There was a crisis where poor communication nearly caused the event to collapse, and unexpected situations kept arising. Despite this, I remained calm, tackling each problem one by one, and ultimately brought the concert to a successful conclusion. That experience remains a valuable memory, transcending the simple act of ‘completing a task’ – it was about upholding my principles even in a difficult situation.
In this way, I refuse to give up, quit because it’s hard, or compromise at any moment. Above all, what matters most is remaining a person I can look back on without shame. To uphold that goal, I will continue moving forward unwaveringly. No matter which direction life takes me, I want to be a person who can stand tall before myself. And I believe such a life will ultimately make me stronger.
Failure and Overcoming Experience
Failure, Overcoming, and ‘Understanding People’s Hearts’
The experience of planning and hosting a concert holds meaning for me beyond just a job. Through that process, I deeply realized how crucial it is to ‘understand people’s hearts’.
When I first took on the planning, I was burning with passion. The fact that I was solely responsible for leading such a large-scale event was frightening, yet at the same time, it was incredibly exciting. The process of recruiting people, preparing supplies, and filling in the necessary equipment and items for the performance one by one was a busy yet rewarding time, and I eagerly counted down the days until the show began.
However, right in the middle of preparations, something unexpected happened. One of the team members suddenly stopped showing up without any explanation. At first, worried something might have happened, I tried contacting them repeatedly, but neither calls nor messages got through. Even amidst the frantic busyness of concert preparations, I eventually went to find that friend myself.
There, I learned a shocking truth. They were a friend who had joined as an intern alongside me. Suddenly becoming the team leader meant they now had to follow my instructions, which hurt their pride and made it difficult for them to manage their emotions. Only then did I realize that I had been so focused on my own passion that I hadn’t been attentive enough to the feelings of the people I worked with.
I sincerely persuaded that friend, and fortunately, they opened their heart to working together again. Since then, I’ve made an effort to communicate more carefully. Being young at the time, I checked myself for any mistakes in how I conveyed things or expressions that might cause misunderstandings. I made an effort to encourage that friend more often, and when making requests or giving instructions, I tried my best to be polite and consider the other person’s feelings.
I treated the days that friend was absent as sick leave and didn’t tell anyone about the incident. I later heard that my consideration was a great comfort to that friend.
That moment made me realize: communication isn’t just about exchanging words; it begins with understanding and empathizing with the heart. I deeply grasped how crucial it is to prioritize thinking, “What might the other person be feeling?” over insisting, “I’m right.” This experience taught me profoundly that while the ability to drive results is important in a leadership role, sensitivity and consideration for others’ feelings can be an even greater strength.
Experience in Creative Problem Solving
“If there’s a problem, don’t just ignore it—speak up!”
During my university days, I nearly got hurt on campus. There was a section of broken sidewalk blocks on the path leading to the women’s restroom. The uneven dip there often caused people wearing high heels to trip and fall. Being quite fashion-conscious and a frequent wearer of high heels myself, I understood the danger of that sidewalk block better than anyone. Its location, right on the main path to the women’s restroom, meant female students were particularly vulnerable to accidents.
At first, I thought simply raising awareness would solve it. So I reported it to the security office, but they just said, “It’s not our responsibility.” When I brought it to the student council, they replied, “Under review,” and time just passed. Frustrated by the repeated delays, I decided that if I truly wanted to fix this problem, I needed to take more proactive steps.
From that day on, I started visiting the relevant school departments directly once a day. When I inquired with the student council, they told me to go to the Welfare Office, and the Welfare Office directed me to the Executive Office. Following these referrals, I moved between departments, persuading each responsible officer of the urgency and necessity of improving the sidewalk blocks. Not only that, I wrote a report explaining why welfare budget should be allocated for this sidewalk block improvement and conducted briefings myself. I explained, from a student’s perspective, how inconvenient and dangerous the situation was, using specific examples and data.
Ultimately, the sidewalk replacement scheduled for the following year’s budget was moved up to that same year. It didn’t stop at just repairing that specific section; it led to the successful overhaul of all damaged sidewalks across the entire campus. Crucially, the replaced sidewalks were made of a soft, shock-absorbing material, making walking around campus significantly safer and more comfortable than before.
Through this experience, I realized something. When problems arise, change only begins when you take action, not by merely complaining or passively waiting. I also truly came to understand that I am no longer a child who only needs protection, but an adult with the responsibility to recognize and solve problems. Not stopping at just pointing out the problem, but taking responsibility for that statement and acting on it. That is the first step as an adult and the beginning of creative problem-solving.
Reasons to Hire Me
“I am strong.”
I possess the inner strength and perseverance to confidently say I am strong. Since childhood, I cultivated the habit of consistent study, naturally developing the tenacity to never give up and a disciplined lifestyle. I have always maintained an attitude of seeing any task through to completion, taking full responsibility, and consistently giving my best effort to avoid disappointing myself.
Furthermore, when a task arises, I step up and take action without hesitation. I am known for my swiftness in translating words into deeds, often receiving compliments like “proactive” and “reliable” from those around me. Rather than feeling fear when attempting or pursuing something new, I tend to view it as an opportunity.
My experience studying abroad has also been a significant asset. Living in an unfamiliar environment and interacting with people of various nationalities made me realize I’m naturally sociable and can quickly connect with others. Through exchanges with foreign friends, I learned to understand cultural differences and communicate effectively, while also developing the ability to adapt flexibly to diverse situations. This flexibility and resilience apply not only to work but also to navigating daily life.
Thanks to these experiences and attitudes, I am confident I possess the strength and resilience to thrive anywhere. I will become a talent who continuously challenges and grows, even within the fiercely competitive fashion industry and amidst rapidly changing trends. Please believe in and watch over the energy and potential within me. I look forward to working with you.
