This blog post introduces how to effectively convey foreign language proficiency in your resume when applying for an administrative role at a trading company—linking it not just as a qualification, but as practical, on-the-job applicability.
Reason for Applying
“I wanted to work somewhere special.”
When choosing a job, I’ve always prioritized ‘where I work’ over mere conditions or environment. If I’m receiving the same compensation and putting in the same effort, I’ve always believed it should be somewhere aligned with my vision. I want to grow through my work, and I hope that growth holds meaning beyond just career advancement. That’s why, when choosing a job, I seek out a ‘special place’ that can provide me with vision and motivation. When I choose work this way, I find the strength to overcome even the most difficult and exhausting situations, and I gain the motivation to willingly tackle even tedious, repetitive tasks again. This truth is something I naturally came to understand over the past four years while experiencing various roles. Moving between sales and administrative roles, I deeply realized that work is not merely a means of livelihood. When it carries a sense of purpose and direction, it becomes far more meaningful and capable of sustaining lasting strength.
Based on these values and experiences, I have decided to apply for a position at ‘Dong-A Tire’. Your company was founded in 19○○ and began the challenge of overseas exports early on, continuing that legacy to this day. Considering the era’s environment at that time, the decision to export was not a simple choice but a clear challenge. I was deeply impressed by your company’s history of turning that challenge into reality. The process of obtaining import/export licenses faster than anyone else and pioneering diverse markets stands as a significant testament to your company’s drive and strategic judgment. Moreover, the fact that these efforts were recognized by the state and led to awards demonstrates the depth of your company’s underlying strength and sincerity. Even if you are currently experiencing a temporary downturn, I am confident your company can leap forward once again. Rather, this period presents an opportunity to showcase your true potential and resilience, and your company is continuously pioneering new markets in response. This relentless spirit of challenge, resilience, and your forward-looking direction are precisely why I have taken notice of your company.
Therefore, I have developed a strong desire to work with your company, and I have prepared myself to make that desire a reality. I will now share what preparations I have made and the mindset with which I aspire to become a member of your team. Thank you for reading.
Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality
“I tend to just get started.”
The greatest strength of my personality is my ‘drive to just get started.’ I tend to act immediately once I make up my mind. Whether studying or working, I prefer to actively begin and see things through to the end rather than just spend time worrying. As a Korean Language and Literature major, I excelled in Korean, document writing, and the humanities-based thinking required to identify problems. However, English remained a persistent weakness, always leaving me with a sense of regret. So I resolved to conquer English. With one year left before graduation, I boldly took a leave of absence and joined an English academy as a teaching assistant.
During my time as a teaching assistant, I didn’t just handle administrative tasks or run errands. I took every possible class I could find—conversation, TOEIC, TOEIC Speaking, TOEFL—whatever came my way. I woke up at 6 a.m. every morning, did some light exercise, arrived at the academy, cleaned, attended classes, and cleaned again—repeating this routine daily. Unlike my previous solitary English studies, this period allowed me to focus systematically and intensely. As a result, I achieved my target scores on the TOEIC, TOEFL, and TOEIC Speaking tests. Thanks to this passionate immersion, I completed what typically takes over two years of English study in just one year. Personally, I consider this an incredibly valuable experience.
This tendency also shows up in my travels. I don’t hesitate to take on new challenges and act immediately, so my approach to overseas travel is ‘just go for it’. I’ve visited not only developed countries like the US, UK, and Japan, but also places like Vietnam and Cambodia through corporate volunteer programs. Experiencing diverse nations allowed me to tangibly grasp each culture’s unique characteristics and atmosphere, internalizing the positive aspects in my own way. This proactive tendency of mine goes beyond mere initiative; I believe it has significantly aided me in accumulating knowledge through experience.
On the other hand, my weakness is that I’m too kind-hearted and find it hard to refuse requests. Once I hear someone’s story, I struggle to forget their perspective. My empathetic nature takes precedence, and I often end up doing something for them. Because of this, people around me are often surprised by my ‘unexpectedness’. They frequently remark that, seeing only my outgoing and driven exterior, they never realized how sensitive I am inside. I believe this aspect of myself stems from my genuine fondness for people. Rather than viewing it as a flaw, I accept it as another facet of my personality. However, when performing work duties, I consciously strive to ensure my affection doesn’t blur professional boundaries. Clearly delineating roles and responsibilities to prevent overlapping or piling on tasks is a key challenge I aim to address moving forward.
Career History
“I grew through experience in both sales and administration.”
I began sales work during my sophomore year of university. While teaching Chinese characters and English to children, I naturally started combining sales alongside my teaching. Frequently visiting families with children led me to also introduce and sell items they needed, like dairy products or toys. Many people think of ‘sales’ as a difficult and burdensome job, but for me, it was actually an opportunity to understand people more deeply and grow closer to them. The satisfaction I felt when introducing something someone truly needed and seeing it actually help them was indescribable.
Sales was also a field with significant financial rewards. For example, while a typical part-time job might earn 800,000 won working the entire month, I could earn that much from just one successful contract. Through rapidly experiencing such diverse sales activities, I feel I developed the ‘muscle’ for navigating professional life. The communication skills I acquired on the job—like how to persuade people effectively when meeting them, or what explanations work best from the other person’s perspective—proved invaluable later on.
After graduating from university, my sales experience was recognized, and I joined a tutoring company, where I worked in an administrative role. Although I was among the youngest employees at the time, I took on a managerial role overseeing both sales staff and teachers, managing and coordinating the team. Over approximately four years of communicating and collaborating with people, I developed capabilities beyond simple document creation and filing. I cultivated the ability to manage people and systematically operate an office environment.
Thus, based on my experience in both sales and administration, I gained the ability to adapt flexibly to diverse situations. The practical experience gained—including the skill to understand and persuade customers, the ability to collaborate with team members and coordinate tasks, and the essential practical competencies required within an organization—has become a crucial asset. It enables me to adapt quickly and grow even in new environments.
Self-Development
“English, Japanese, and Chinese”
Working in education for four years gave me a sense of purpose, which I truly enjoyed. Education is inherently interesting, but enabling people to experience quality education provided a sense of fulfillment beyond just a job. Each day felt meaningful rather than difficult, and I took pride in my work. However, as time passed, I began to wonder internally, ‘Compared to my spirit of challenge, isn’t the work going too smoothly?’ and my desire to test my potential in a broader world grew stronger.
This longing became the catalyst for me to start studying foreign languages. Since English was a subject I had consistently prepared for since college, I focused on Japanese and Chinese at that time. I spent my days busily, carving out time in the mornings and evenings to attend academy classes. Balancing this with my work life wasn’t easy physically, but it was a period where I could reignite my passion, and it was also a time when I truly felt my own potential for growth. After nearly two years of consistent study, I steadily built proficiency in both languages. I eventually reached a level where I could read documents without difficulty and communicate smoothly with locals.
Most importantly, I met diverse people at the academy. Hearing the visions of others who pursued continuous self-improvement while working provided significant motivation. Through their stories, I naturally developed an interest in the export field and nurtured a dream of someday working on the global stage. Then, upon learning about ○○ Company’s benefits and long-term vision, I felt certain: ‘This is the company.’ Thus, I began preparing to change jobs, taking a step toward this new dream.
Post-Hire Aspirations
“I promise to become a smart employee who keeps a close eye on the global market.”
While I haven’t yet had direct experience handling trade affairs, I can confidently say that through performing administrative duties, I have consistently strived to build the fundamental competencies needed in the trade field. Knowing better than anyone that I have many shortcomings, I have prepared all the more diligently and persistently. I have diligently pursued learning various foreign languages and approached my assigned administrative tasks with a constant desire to learn, striving to understand the broader context of the work and cultivate a wide perspective.
Of course, having no direct experience in trade administration, I cannot yet confidently call myself a ‘smart employee who keeps an eye on the global market’. However, precisely because of this, I believe I must learn and grow even more intensely going forward. I will continue reading at least three different newspapers every morning to consistently grasp domestic and international market trends and currents. I will also maintain the habit of listening attentively to every word from my seniors and meticulously noting down points to learn. To adapt quickly to organizational life, I will proactively reach out and communicate. I will approach any task assigned to me with sincerity and a strong sense of responsibility.
I will continue to learn and put my knowledge into practice to become a talent who can contribute to the company with even greater growth than I have now. If given the opportunity, I will do my utmost to live up to it. Thank you.
