In this blog post, we will introduce effective ways to highlight your work efficiency and collaboration skills in your cover letter based on your understanding of construction sites and communication skills, even if you are applying for an office position.
Background
When I was a child, my family was unable to find a permanent place to live and had to move around from place to place for a while. My father, who was encouraged by my birth, took a risk to expand his business, but the results were not very good, so I was left in my mother’s arms and had to move around the countryside shortly after I was born. At first, we moved to my father’s hometown, and then we stayed with my mother’s family. I grew up under the care of my parents, who tried to help my father recover from his business failure and maintain the balance of our family. As a result, I had to get used to living with other people. My belongings were kept to a minimum so that we could move at a moment’s notice, and even though I had my own room, it would disappear, so even when we moved to a new place, I would think, “When will we have to leave here?” I had to go through so many changes.
After wandering around like a driftwood, we returned to Seoul and found a place for the three of us to settle down, but I remember feeling very unfamiliar with my new surroundings. I knew I would be leaving soon, so even if I made friends, I knew we would soon be parting ways. Rather than opening my heart and getting my hopes up, I focused on how small and simple I could make my life, waiting for the next move, which was inevitable at that point. My parents told me that I would be able to stay in touch with the friends I had just made for many years, and that we might even remain friends until I grew up, but I found their words convenient. I felt as if the wheels of the car I had always ridden in comfortably had suddenly melted and stuck to the ground, leaving me feeling confused and helpless.
School life
I still vividly remember the time when I ended my long nomadic life, settled down in one place, went to school, and established relationships with my classmates. My mother discouraged me from buying interior accessories and everyday items, saying, “It’s too much trouble to move them all, and you’ll be leaving soon anyway.” I was tired of making and losing friends, so I didn’t open up easily to anyone. Suddenly having my own room was a completely new experience, and decorating it and inviting friends over was also new to me. I even imagined that one day, even though I was pretending that my trip was over, a moving truck would show up. However, even after several months, I didn’t look for a new business opportunity or a new place to live, and listening to my parents telling me not to lose my keys, I was finally able to feel secure and settle down.
It was a little difficult to break into a group of children who had known each other for a long time, but among children who had lived in the same neighborhood since birth and had little experience moving, my stories of growing up traveling around the country were interesting and engaging. It was interesting to see how curious and unfamiliar they were when I told them about local customs and traditions that they had only seen in textbooks. I had never been able to imagine living in one place my entire life, so I was curious to know how attached they were to the place where they were born and raised. Even after I stopped traveling, I couldn’t help but feel like a stranger.
Strengths and weaknesses
I am the type of person who can blend in easily without being picky or acting out, no matter where I go. When I was a child, I traveled around the country with my parents and met many different people from different regions. In order to coexist with them, I had to approach them with a cheerful personality and adaptability. People are social animals, and in order to live smoothly in a new place, even for a few months, I needed to socialize and share a little, so I overcame most of the problems of living a proper life with my constant sociability. If I couldn’t adapt to the water, food, and sleeping arrangements in my new home, I would be the one to suffer, so I naturally grew up as a flexible child who could fall asleep easily and accept unfamiliar foods without hesitation, accepting the rules of each region. In addition, rather than rebelling against people who had already formed their own community and expressed their opinions, I was much quicker to accept them, showing a unique tolerance in my passive acceptance.
Sometimes, people would tell me that I should express my opinions more firmly, saying that my easygoing personality and ability to adapt to any situation would cause me to lose out and hinder the development of the group. Taking this advice to heart, I now make an effort to express my opinions more often.
Outlook on life
I want to settle down in one place, put down roots, always have a place to return to, and live with peace of mind. When I was a child, I traveled around the country with my parents, and what I admired most when I saw various media and videos was the concept of “hometown,” a place where everyone has a refuge and wants to return to. Or when I saw people who had been through war or traveled far away reminiscing about a specific place as a “place they must return to,” I also longed for a “home” where I could rest not only my body but also my heart and regain stability.
It is not just a place to lie down and rest for a while, but a place that remains intact no matter how much time passes, a place that I must return to as a refuge for my heart, and a place that I want to return to. It is my lifelong dream and my inner home ground that still calms my heart.
Motivation for applying and aspirations after joining the company
Due to my parents’ circumstances, I lived all over the country, and even after settling down, I felt confused and had trouble adjusting for a while. However, deep down, I had a desire to find a place that I could call home and always wanted to return to. My interest in architecture, which came from my desire to be more deeply involved in creating such a space, became the foundation that led me to my current career path. I applied to your company with the same feeling I would have if I were looking for a company to build my own home.
If I am given the opportunity to join your company and work together to build something, slowly but surely, like constructing a building, I will put down roots in one place and absorb everything I can, striving to grow like a sprout, working tirelessly to improve my abilities. I have been searching for soil to take root in, and I am still just a sprout, but I am eager to grow as quickly as possible and become a useful member of your company. I sincerely hope that my growth will contribute to the development of your company. Thank you very much.
