This blog post introduces how to effectively convey the competencies and trustworthiness suitable for corporate finance roles in your application letter, based on diverse practical experience including bank teller and security duties.

My Background

I grew up in a family where both my parents worked as bankers for many years. Each worked at the same financial institution for over 20 years, met as colleagues, married, and then had me. Growing up as an only child, I naturally observed my parents’ daily work life up close. From a young age, I held the vague dream of “one day giving my parents a better life.” Of course, both had stable jobs, so we weren’t in a difficult financial situation. Still, I always wished to create a more prosperous and secure future for them through my own efforts.
Especially as I heard stories about the career lifespan of bankers gradually shortening, I often sensed my parents’ anxiety about their retirement. Whenever that happened, I thought, “If I succeed, my parents can rest easy,” which made me focus harder on my studies. Naturally, my career path also gravitated toward the financial sector. From high school onward, my clear goal was ‘to become a banker,’ and my parents’ lives greatly influenced that decision. Watching them work diligently at the same job their entire lives taught me a great deal. Their approach to life—building it with sincerity and steadiness rather than material greed—was truly admirable.
My parents also possessed considerable knowledge and experience in finance and wealth management. They grew their money wisely, saved diligently without excessive ambition, and systematically managed their pensions and assets. Their example greatly influenced me, and naturally, I too decided to pursue a stable life over ambition, choosing to become a bank teller like them. After graduating high school, I prepared for college aiming to major in economics. I was accepted into my desired university and spent four years majoring in economics.
During my college years, I completed various courses spanning introductory economics to the broader field of financial economics. As it was a field I’d always been interested in, attending lectures was consistently engaging. I meticulously planned my course registration and approached my studies diligently. My parents’ advice was invaluable in choosing my major and participating in club activities. Having both majored in economics themselves, they understood my concerns more deeply than anyone else and never hesitated to offer practical guidance. My parents’ support and encouragement have always been a tremendous source of strength for me, allowing me to advance steadily toward my career path without wavering.
Ultimately, I was able to follow in my parents’ footsteps by studying economics and progressing toward my goal of securing a position at a bank. The information and practical advice they provided throughout this journey became invaluable assets. I believe that without their constant support and encouragement, I would not be where I am today. It is thanks to my parents that I chose and walked this path, and I want to do my best to repay their trust going forward.

Career Story

“From Security Officer to Corporate Finance Support at Shinhan Bank”
Since taking my first step as a new employee at Shinhan Bank, I have steadily grown within the organization, experiencing various roles. My decision to apply for the corporate finance division stems from a desire to challenge myself in a new role following a branch relocation, prompting me to submit this application. Having worked at Shinhan Bank for over five years, I secured a recommendation from a branch manager in another department based on this experience and trust. I am confident that at the new branch, I can quickly adapt and contribute to the organization, leveraging the career and experience I have built.
My initial connection with Shinhan Bank began during my university years. At that time, I worked as a security guard at the bank, handling basic security duties. While this role wasn’t directly related to my major, it was a valuable opportunity to broaden my understanding of organizational and corporate culture. Working as a security guard allowed me to gain experience communicating directly with customers visiting the bank and to gain a practical understanding of the services and requirements customers need. Additionally, by observing the roles of each department within the bank and the workflow of its employees, I naturally learned how leadership, such as branch managers and assistant managers, guided the organization.
After graduating from university, I formally joined Shinhan Bank as a general administrative staff member. Although initially distant from specialized financial work, I steadily built my foundational skills by taking on roles supporting financial services. Building on over two years of administrative experience, I was promoted to a dedicated administrative staff position. During this period, I managed not only administrative staff but also security personnel and other organizational members. My primary responsibilities included overseeing the entire administrative process, such as adjusting the salary structure and improving systems. Throughout this process, I deeply appreciated the importance of the work and the value of collaboration within the organization, finding great fulfillment.
Through dedicated effort, I was finally appointed as a full-fledged bank teller, taking on roles closer to core financial services. Handling counter operations like account opening and management, as well as card services, expanded my customer interactions. My experience working in different roles within the same organization for an extended period enabled me to adapt quickly to new tasks. I believe the support from colleagues at each stage and the organization itself significantly accelerated my growth.
I believe applying for the Corporate Banking division is the most effective opportunity to leverage my accumulated experience and capabilities. Having been recommended by my current branch to apply to your organization, I aim to provide more specialized financial services to corporate clients based on trust. Drawing on my diverse practical experience and organizational understanding, I intend to quickly establish myself in the new department and perform banking duties with a broader perspective. I will continue to be a bank employee who flexibly adapts to change and grows step by step.

Achievement Experience

“A Spirit of Perseverance”
While preparing for university admission, I took a gap year to retake the college entrance exam twice. Upon graduating high school, my goal was to study economics, but my initial exam results didn’t secure me a spot in my desired department. Instead, I was admitted to an administrative studies program based on my scores. While Public Administration offered attractive prospects for entering the general office sector, my strong desire remained to study Economics as I had originally intended. Ultimately, I decided to forgo university enrollment and retake the exam. During this process, I cultivated within myself a ‘spirit of perseverance that refuses to give up’.
After deciding to retake the exam, I worked hard to improve my scores through more systematic and strategic studying. My first CSAT results were somewhat disappointing: Language Arts, Math, and Foreign Language scored 1st, 2nd, and 2nd grades respectively. However, on my second attempt, I achieved 1st grades in all three subjects, securing an overall average of 1st grade. Combined with my Social Studies scores, I was finally admitted to the Economics Department at my target university. That university was Sungkyunkwan University. It was especially meaningful and joyful because my father had also graduated from the same school, making us fellow alumni.
After admission, having prepared for an extra year, I approached university life with more determination than anyone else. Starting later than my peers, I worked harder and focused more intensely on my studies. I approached both classes and assignments with a strong sense of responsibility. In group projects, I often took on the role of team leader as the older brother, naturally developing my leadership skills. Through this process, I grew not only in achieving good grades but also in practical abilities like the importance of collaboration, problem-solving skills, and effective communication.
In this way, I was able to transform a situation that once felt like a setback into an experience of achievement by silently enduring it to the end without giving up. This experience gave me confidence beyond the simple meaning of passing; it showed me that with consistent effort and a spirit of challenge, I can achieve any goal in my future life. The strength to rise again without wavering in the face of failure is the driving force that made me who I am today.

Creative Thinking

“Hosting a Film Event at the Library”
During my university years, I had the valuable experience of working as a work-study student at the library. I applied for the position starting in my freshman year and continued working steadily, maintaining my role at the library until my senior year, just before graduation. During that time, I went beyond simply working; I actively participated in various events held at the library and sometimes even joined in the planning process. This naturally gave me a comprehensive understanding of the library’s overall operations.
While the library might appear to be a quiet, simple space from the outside, it was actually a complex organization operated through the collaboration of multiple departments. Beyond the basic operations department handling book loans and returns, there were separate departments dedicated to administrative tasks and financial management. The Student Welfare Department, responsible for student welfare and cultural activities, also played a key role in library events, regularly planning cultural events for students.
One day, the Student Welfare Department conducted a survey to gather student opinions for planning a new type of welfare event utilizing the library. As a work-study student, I was responsible for promoting this survey, personally distributing and collecting the questionnaires to gather diverse student feedback. The survey revealed that many students expressed a desire for opportunities to enjoy cultural content like plays, performances, movies, and musicals within the library space.
I compiled these opinions and submitted them to the Student Welfare Department, securing a positive response and the necessary budget. Subsequently, working students and team leaders from the library operations department held several meetings to plan the film event. After discussions, we decided to screen several recent films and began full-scale preparations.
During this process, I proposed a creative idea: instead of simply using a classroom for screenings as before, why not utilize the library lobby space? I thought using the lobby’s large wall surfaces or ceiling structure would allow for a more open atmosphere. Specifically, I proposed using a white canopy that could be lowered from the lobby ceiling as the screen. This canopy would provide viewing angles from various positions and transform the entire space into a cultural venue.
My idea was positively received in the meeting and was implemented during the actual event. The movie screened on the white canopy screen installed in the library lobby garnered enthusiastic responses from many students and was evaluated as a successful attempt that added a unique cultural sensibility to the library space. The event became a valuable experience that demonstrated the potential for holding creative cultural events within the school, going beyond simply watching a movie.
My work experience at the library went beyond a simple part-time job. It allowed me to understand the flow of organizational operations, appreciate the importance of collaboration, and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a small idea actually reflected and leading to tangible results. This experience became a valuable foundation, instilling in me the confidence to creatively and proactively solve problems and try new things in any environment.