In this blog post, I’ll share how to naturally incorporate your practical adaptability into your cover letter, based on your lifelong fascination with machinery and experience solving real-world problems.
My Upbringing
Growing up, I often watched my father intently as he tinkered with mini cars and small toys. He pursued both speed and stability, while my mother would laugh and call it “childishness he hasn’t outgrown.” But it was more than a simple hobby; it was an expression of his passion, focused on improving ordinary toys in his own way and extracting performance unattainable with standard parts. For instance, even common children’s toys like spinning tops or mini cars would gain entirely new levels of speed and power after passing through my father’s hands. Watching him knock down his friends’ tops one after another left even me in awe. My father’s toys, created through these ‘slight improvements,’ always delivered results that were ‘in a league of their own.’
Perhaps because of this, whenever I played with toys alongside other kids, I’d often hear, “I’m not competing with you.” My toys, modified by my father, were simply too ‘perfect’ for ordinary kids’ mini cars or spinning tops to compete with. But interestingly, the real competition wasn’t against my friends, but against my father. I often found myself in head-to-head battles with my father, who assembled monster-like mini-cars, and the outcome was almost always a decisive victory for him. As a child, losing every time could have been pretty disappointing, but seeing my father’s bright, childlike joy after beating me each time, strangely enough, made me feel more proud than resentful or upset.
Father was always deeply interested in the structure and functional improvements of new machinery. He constantly pondered how to make not just toys, but even the smallest everyday tools more efficient. But reality was harsh. To support the family, he had to focus on improving the performance and processes of production machinery – work he described as “tedious.” Ultimately, my father spent many years navigating between the ‘ideal of his hobby,’ what he truly enjoyed, and the ‘reality of his profession,’ the responsibility of providing for the family. Watching him grow up like this, I think perhaps I unconsciously imprinted the keywords ‘improvement’ and ‘growth’ deep within my heart.
School Days
Whenever I recall my father’s face, shining brighter than anyone else’s whenever he was engrossed in modifying toys, I keenly realized how vibrantly one can live life when they find what they truly want to do and immerse themselves in it. Through that image, I deeply sensed once again how crucial it is to choose work that strongly pulls you from within.
To my younger self, the concept of a ‘career’ felt vague and distant. I thought a ‘career’ was simply what my parents liked, what adults encouraged, or what teachers would praise—it never truly felt like a lifelong mission I must undertake. Even approaching college admission, I took a complacent attitude, thinking, “Any major that fits the level of university my mother prefers is fine.”
However, witnessing the one moment when my stern and serious father truly relaxed and smiled—when he joyfully repaired and assembled toys like a child—resonated deeply within me. I realized that even if reality doesn’t fully support it, building your life firmly on your own dreams and passion, and walking your path unwaveringly, is the true attitude towards life. That realization gave me a resolution: to stand firm against others’ standards, to protect myself even amidst the gap between reality and ideals.
After that, I was able to approach my career exploration more actively. I didn’t just repeat predetermined studies; I deeply contemplated and explored what I truly desired and aspired to do. Because I understood better than anyone that this very pursuit would determine the direction of my life and ultimately dictate my life satisfaction. So, I began to carve out my own path with passion and determination, keeping firmly in mind that one’s ‘career path’ should never be decided lightly.
The struggles and choices of that period shaped who I am today. And now, looking back, I realize how precious an opportunity that choice was, and I feel grateful to myself. After all, life is a journey of taking one step at a time in the direction you truly desire.
On the Strengths and Weaknesses of My Character
I strive to live wisely, maintaining a balance between the duties I must fulfill and the rights I can enjoy, avoiding conflict between them. I believe that everyone must achieve an appropriate harmony between the virtues they aspire to and the roles society expects of them to maintain a stable daily life. Just as my father, who would lock himself in his workshop on days off to focus on modifying machines, would silently fulfill his role at the workplace on weekdays, we all live facing the simultaneous responsibility to faithfully complete whatever role we have and the limit we must impose on ourselves to control our desires, no matter how strong they may be. If we fail to properly adjust that balance and tip too far in one direction, the impact inevitably affects not only ourselves but also those around us.
Some say one must willingly sacrifice even their personal life for the company. Others argue that since the company doesn’t live one’s life for them, one must clearly guard their own domain. I believe both positions hold merit. While the responsibility demanded by an organization is important, safeguarding one’s own life is also a value that must never be overlooked. Therefore, I have always strived to maintain flexibility, avoiding excessive tilt toward either side to preserve balance. Establishing a firm center to prevent strain on myself and those I work with—that is my inclination and, I believe, my strength.
Life Philosophy
I always maintain curiosity about new technologies and knowledge, actively challenging myself with passion to absorb and make them my own. I believe that to stay ahead in an era of constant change, one must always live life with a proactive attitude. Humans are not like computers that update automatically; without personal interest and exploration, it’s difficult to naturally adapt to societal changes or new issues. Ultimately, continuous self-development depends on how long an individual’s will and effort can be sustained.
Even if starting points are similar, over time, some people stop, while others keep moving forward. And that gap inevitably widens. Just as no one can live my life for me, I believe that to keep pace with the times and steadily grow oneself, daily habits and self-management are paramount. Especially in a rapidly changing world like today’s, the attitude of constantly refining oneself and striving for continuous development is more crucial than ever.
A person’s daily words and actions accumulate day by day, ultimately shaping their life. Therefore, we must not neglect the work of refining and managing ourselves in our daily lives. Small but consistent practices accumulate, guiding life in a better direction. I intend to continue approaching life with an attitude of constantly questioning and learning from myself, actively responding to change, and growing into someone who can clearly demonstrate their value anywhere.
Reasons for Applying and Aspirations After Joining
Despite having a separate main occupation, my father never forgot the deep passion for toys that had followed him since childhood. He poured all his skills and craftsmanship into attempting the ultimate modifications. His passion imparted one crucial realization to me. Namely, that living while ignoring what your heart truly desires can ultimately amount to betraying yourself. My father, too, must have once harbored serious dreams of modifying parts and developing toys. Even after practical circumstances prevented him from pursuing them, he never easily relinquished that passion; instead, he nurtured it into a deep-rooted hobby. His example resonated profoundly with me.
While everyone inevitably compromises to some degree with reality in the fields they truly desire, I came to believe it is wrong to completely sever that aspiration and live a disconnected life. Rather, the conviction that it is crucial to find a way to fuse and harmonize within appropriate boundaries aligns remarkably well with your company’s philosophy of ‘Do what your heart tells you.’ Because I understand the weight of reality, I possess the strength to endure and move forward while keeping that dream deep within my heart. I am certain this is ultimately the most powerful force driving me forward, and it will also provide the sustained passion and willpower needed to steadily build achievements at your company.
