In this blog post, we will look at how you can convey your deep interest and experience in the shipping industry in your self-introduction letter to motivate your application for a sales position.
Your growth
As a child, I was fascinated by stories of explorers who traveled the seas and left behind records of their various adventures, countless generals who demonstrated unparalleled skill in naval battles, and merchants who overcame enormous physical distances by the standards of their time to facilitate rich cultural exchanges. As a child, I lived in a neighborhood overlooking the sea, where I was exposed to the vastness of the ocean, and I was well aware of the fear of the sea, which could sometimes cause even the most seasoned sailors to fall into despair. I had a deep respect for those who traveled across the dangerous and magnificent ocean in pursuit of conquest.
On land, we have developed numerous civilizations and enjoy stable lives supported by gravity, but when I look out at the ocean from a distance, with its constantly shifting waves and salt content so high that it is unfit for human consumption, I am filled with a sense of awe and fear, as if it is waiting to overturn a ship and plunge people into extreme danger. The sea, which can return even humans, who pride themselves on their advanced civilization, to their fragile state of origin, has enriched our tables with abundant food, but at times, it has also turned its mercy upside down, plunging people into unexpected disasters. My father, whom I believed to be the strongest man in the world, was shipwrecked for a day and returned home after being lost at sea. This experience was enough to fuel my prejudice.
School life
Although I was afraid and nervous, I was always fascinated by the sea, and this fascination gradually led me to pursue a career related to the ocean. The mystery of the beauty of the sea and the fear caused by my father’s shipwreck prevented me from going out to sea myself, but it also motivated me to at least do something related to the ocean. No matter how much technology is concentrated and how much effort is put into building a ship, if you misread nature even slightly, you will inevitably be defeated by its power. In our highly civilized modern world, this reality is a source of fear that makes humans feel vulnerable. I have always been attracted to the intimidating power of the sea, but I have also always been afraid that I could be swept away by it at any moment.
The fact that the role of trade ships, which once served as a bridge between the Eastern and Western worlds, continues to this day, and that the development of marine transportation and shipping logistics continues unabated, was enough to make me want to be a part of that era. My friends told me that if I was so afraid of and hated the sea, I should just find another job, but I wanted to maintain a respectful distance while continuing the efforts of those who had never given up on the sea despite its fury, and prove the potential of humanity. That is why I decided on my current career path. Once a child who lived in a seaside town and could not easily go into the sea, but always took the road that led to the sea, he began to seriously pursue his dream.
Strengths and weaknesses
I am a person who always keeps my dreams alive and moves forward. When I was a child, my mother used to laugh at me, saying that it was strange that I had such an amazing and thrilling feeling about the real ocean, yet I would search for all kinds of movies, documentaries, and books about the ocean. However, I did not let my inclination become a passing fad, and I worked hard until it finally influenced my career path. Adults always told me that childhood dreams and hopes are not particularly valuable when you grow up, and that I should abandon them without hesitation and move forward with a light heart, but I used them as a driving force to move forward with my career with even more energy. It is the ocean that always gives me new and unfamiliar sensations.
Some people advised me to grow up and stop having childish dreams, but I believed that immersing myself in what I truly wanted and dreamed of would give me more energy than choosing a path based on necessity and social values, so I decided on my current career path.
Outlook on life
I want to live a life where I am always close to the sea, but not too far away, where I can admire and accept its charm. Going out to sea, where I can only maintain a range of activities similar to those on land by being thoroughly prepared and taking precautions, I am afraid of the unknown crises and unexpected accidents that may occur at any time, but I also believe that completely turning away from a world that has not yet been fully conquered by humans is like eating spicy food that is painful and difficult but keeps coming back to mind.
Some people have told me that it is wrong to let my personal tastes influence my work, but I know that pursuing what I am truly passionate about motivates me much more. I want to devote myself to work that helps people conquer the sea, rather than being conquered by it, and I want to fulfill my duties in a role where I can work together with others.
Motivation for applying and aspirations after joining the company
Growing up in a seaside village under the care of my father, who was a sailor, I have a sense of awe for the sea, but at the same time, I feel both great excitement and fear, and I have always wanted to live my life at a distance from the sea, neither too far nor too close. It may sound strange to some, but I wanted to live a life where I could always be close to, but not too close to, the thing that caused these conflicting emotions.
In particular, given the long history of trade that humanity has pursued in its quest to conquer the sea, it was only natural that I wanted to join forces with your company, which also has a long history. Although I do not have the courage to directly assist in shipping operations, I wanted to find a way to help establish the company’s foundation on land, as I am eager to do my best to support its smooth operation. That was the only way I could realize my dream.
