In this blog post, we will summarize the key points and tips for writing a self-introduction letter when applying to a translation agency.
Growth
When I was a child, my mother was very interested in early education and strictly controlled my every move, forbidding me from any play or interests that she deemed “unrelated to studying.” These restrictions included games, comic books, and novels that were deemed “of no nutritional value to my studies.” When I visited my friends’ houses or the library, I would often read the novels that were forbidden to me, and I would return home feeling disappointed. I understood why my mother was so strict with me, but at that young age, it was difficult to endure such restrictions every day. My mother wanted me to spend my free time doing things that would develop my brain, even when I wasn’t studying.
The only entertainment my mother allowed me was reading original books. Even novels that were forbidden to read in translation were allowed because, thanks to the advice of acquaintances who said, “It’s better to read easy and interesting English novels than difficult and boring books, as this will naturally open your eyes to the original language,” I was able to get permission. With a serious lack of books I found interesting on my bookshelf, I devoured all kinds of English books, which became my only oasis, and my English skills and interest developed rapidly. My mother was delighted when my efforts bore fruit and I became even more motivated to study English. This was because I was able to develop my skills much faster and with a richer vocabulary than when I was struggling to keep up with my mother’s plans and goals. From then on, having learned a few tricks, I persuaded my mother to let me watch English movies and TV dramas at home.
School days
As my mother wished, I devoted myself to my studies from an early age and achieved some success, but it was also a time when my aptitude and interests began to become clear. My mother wanted me to become a new employee at a large company where I could use my language skills to work overseas, but I was fascinated by the process of translating and understanding foreign languages into my native language and expressing them in words. Although traveling abroad and working for a large company would have allowed me to fulfill my mother’s expectations, it was not quite what I wanted to do, and I was a little afraid to tell her how I felt. It took a lot of courage to break away from my mother’s influence, as she had been in charge of my education and controlled my life since I was born.
I knew that I had to get away from my mother somehow and build up the ability to express myself and move forward with confidence, so I began to actively seek out information about studying abroad, which my mother had been gradually gathering. When I decided to study abroad while still in high school, I had already made up my mind to pursue a career in translation and literature, but I didn’t tell my mother. I knew that revealing my intentions before I was fully prepared would be a shortcut to failure. I actively utilized the abilities I had demonstrated since junior high school, consulted with many people who were willing to help me, and persuaded my father, who had left my education entirely to my mother, to let me pursue my career path. Through these efforts, I was able to study abroad.
Strengths and weaknesses
When I am interested in something and want to do it, I try to prove to myself that I have the ability and potential to do it, and I strive to gain the recognition of those around me. Although I have my own way of doing things, I don’t think it’s possible to live completely isolated from those around me without seeking their understanding. This is deeply related to my life since I started studying abroad, when I went through a long struggle with my mother to gain her recognition of my career path before reaching the stage I am at now. My mother loved me so much that she prepared my future meticulously from an early age, and she was very determined. In order to understand her intentions, I also needed to prepare meticulously and prove myself. Just as my mother had disciplined me thoroughly for many years.
Some people told me to live my own life without worrying about those around me, saying that what was important was that I was the one living my life. However, I believed that I should always try to persuade my mother, who had shown such interest in me for so many years, as long as it was within my power, and that is what I did. And with the qualities and abilities I demonstrated while graduating from college abroad, I was finally able to get my mother’s consent and continue to maintain a harmonious family relationship.
Life philosophy
Have the determination to never give up on your goals. Since childhood, I was under my mother’s strict control, and at one point, I thought I would never escape her influence and would have to live the life she had planned for me. However, once I developed a desire to pursue my true calling, I worked tirelessly to choose the path I wanted to take. It wasn’t enough to find my own path without my mother’s help, and it took a lot of time and effort to prove that I was on the right track, but I never gave up. That’s because I was confident in my abilities and the path I wanted to take.
Thanks to that, I was able to find the right path for my life, convince even my mother, who had been skeptical of my choices, and actively prepare for my career. This would have been impossible if I had given up along the way or doubted my potential. I have no regrets about my efforts and achievements so far, and I look forward to continuing to actively pursue my future with the same dedication.
Reasons for applying and aspirations after joining the company
I became fascinated with the original novel that my mother allowed me to read for study purposes, and when I decided on my current career path, my goal for the company I wanted to work for was very simple. “I want to work for a company that has the largest selection of books that I want to read.” This was a desire I had, thinking that I would be able to work more efficiently if I could connect my interests with my work. Rather than simply evaluating companies as businesses, I searched for a company that matched my taste and views on the selection of translated books, and I was fascinated by your company’s list of translated works.
If I am given the opportunity to join your company and work with you, I will strive to work harmoniously by accepting your intentions and rules, rather than relying solely on my own know-how, even though I have had many opportunities to build my skills through my translation work. Unlike when I was a freelancer, where I was relatively free from the constraints of a group, I am well aware that working for your company requires me to keep in mind our common goals and consider the overall atmosphere, and that I must learn how to function as a member of the team.
