This blog post introduces how to effectively convey the integrity and self-discipline required of new lawyers in your cover letter—not just through simple value statements, but through actual experiences and attitudes.
My Upbringing
The person who had the strongest influence on me during my childhood was my cousin, who remains an active prosecutor to this day. Tall and well-groomed, he possessed exceptional intellect and diligence, complemented by a meticulous nature and a warm, considerate heart. Naturally, he earned the respect of those around him and stood out so much that adults praised him as the ‘pillar of the family’. From an early age, he contemplated how to channel his talents toward contributing to society. He dreamed of entering the legal profession and worked fiercely toward that goal. He never took his environment or gifts for granted. Instead, he viewed them as gifts from God and earnestly pondered how to give back to society. He often told me: “If you want to have more, you must first cultivate a heart that knows how to share and give generously.”
Compared to him, I was closer to ordinary. Fortunately, my academic performance was good, so excelling in studies became my sole source of pride. I wasn’t particularly good-looking, nor was I athletic, and I wasn’t very sociable either. My self-esteem rested entirely on my grades. Still, I ranked higher than you guys,’ I’d often repeat to myself, feeling smug. But whenever I saw my brother, I always felt ashamed. Watching someone born with so much more than me not boast about it, always looking up with humility and striving forward, made me feel like a beginner-level game character showing off clumsy skills. In contrast, my brother shone even brighter because, despite his advanced level, he was someone who exercised self-restraint and knew how to consider others.
Influenced by him, I gradually began to break free from the mindset that sought to confine myself within my own small world. I realized that a life of growing together and sharing is more meaningful than viewing others solely as competitors to be excluded. And I came to understand that such an attitude toward life naturally leads to being loved by others and, in turn, giving love. My brother’s presence was not merely an idol; he was a compass and a mirror that helped establish the direction of my life. I can confidently say that the major driving force behind who I am today is the attitude toward life and the values I learned from him.
School Days
During my school days, recalling my cousin’s advice, I fell into deep contemplation. “If you have a brain and talent for studying, it’s not just yours. That talent was given to you to give back to society and fulfill your responsibilities.” His words went beyond simple advice; they became a turning point that fundamentally changed the direction of my life. Deeply contemplating ‘How then can I repay the world?’, I ultimately resolved to follow the same path as my cousin, becoming a legal professional. From that moment, I began earnest efforts toward that goal.
Of course, a desire to have a profession recognized and admired by others also resided deep within me, but that wasn’t the whole story. What truly shook me to my core were the words my cousin emphasized with such earnestness: the ‘upright posture of a legal professional,’ the ‘sense of mission to guide the world rightly,’ and the ‘practical role in serving those in need.’ He didn’t merely recommend a good career; he made me think for the first time about the social significance and responsibility inherent in that profession.
My parents, who always regarded my cousin as the family’s pride and looked upon him with admiration, gave me their boundless support and encouragement when I chose that path. Their trust and backing became a tremendous source of strength for me, and I could no longer remain complacent, thinking, ‘Isn’t this good enough?’ Up until then, I felt I was working hard enough. But the moment I set a serious goal of becoming a legal professional, I realized my current abilities were woefully inadequate. Setting a major hurdle in life made me keenly aware that achieving it would require determination and effort commensurate with its height.
Just clearing the massive gate of college entrance exams would be overwhelming enough, yet I acutely felt that an even tougher test awaited beyond it. Especially to enter the law department of my desired university, I needed far greater tension and focus than before. So, I started by completely refocusing my mindset. I tightened the reins on my studies even more, frequently seeking counsel from my cousin to gain practical learning strategies and advice. He acknowledged my earnest attitude, saying, “Let’s become colleagues striving together in the legal field,” and those words became a great source of motivation and encouragement for me.
Thus, I began to concretely design the value of my life, moving beyond a simple career choice. Fueled by the inspiration gained from my cousin-mentor and my parents’ support, I could finally begin preparing in earnest to build a solid foundation for my future. Looking back, that period was a turning point for me, transforming vague possibilities into certainty, and simultaneously a precious time that made me question and reaffirm to myself what kind of person I wanted to grow into.
Personality Introduction
From a young age, I was greatly influenced by my cousin, who always put others before himself. He consistently showed thoughtful consideration for those around him. Growing up watching him up close, I naturally developed a mindset of prioritizing others in society. I wasn’t born with an exceptionally strong sense of justice or an overly noble character. But as an ordinary person, watching my cousin live uprightly and honestly over many years gradually colored my own heart with clarity.
From a young age, I understood firsthand how easily people can be swayed by desire and affliction. Perhaps that’s why, even now, I sometimes feel acutely how easily humans can succumb to temptation. The more I do, the more vigilant I become. I know that no matter how many good deeds I’ve accumulated, a single moment of carelessness can easily undo all that effort. In that sense, ‘self-reflection’ has become a daily habit for me. Through this process, I’ve gradually come to realize how crucial it is to cultivate an attitude that strives for harmonious coexistence with others.
Ultimately, precisely because I am an ordinary person who is inevitably susceptible to temptation, I view life with a more realistic perspective. Even in situations where I’m prone to being swayed by desire and wavering, I’m gradually building the strength to anticipate the danger and rein myself in. The experience and insight gained through this process have, I believe, given me the ability to offer practical advice and strategies to those walking the same path. While imperfect, this steadfast determination to keep moving forward is perhaps the aspect that best defines my character.
Life Philosophy
Rather than focusing on revealing my unique abilities that set me apart from others, I first consider how I can use them to help others. Recognizing one’s innate qualities and talents is crucial. However, if this process leads to basing one’s self-esteem on those abilities, it’s easy to fall into arrogance—thinking “I’m different from others,” “I’m superior,” or “Therefore, I deserve special treatment.” This mindset creates a divide between the world and oneself, leading to a self-centered view of everything. To guard against this, rather than praising one’s abilities, one should consider how those abilities can contribute to society and take pride in that contribution itself.
Using one’s abilities solely for oneself is no different from buying an expensive item while refusing to pay the corresponding taxes. If one possesses talent superior to others, they must also bear the responsibility to give back to society commensurate with that talent’s rarity and influence. The more one has compared to others, the greater their share of giving back to society must be. Such giving is an essential condition that anyone who genuinely respects their own abilities and properly values them must consider. Ultimately, true pride does not stem from boasting about one’s abilities, but from using those abilities to help others and grow alongside society. Isn’t this attitude toward life the essence of true maturity?
Motivation for Applying and Aspirations After Joining
I believe that having a profession others envy does not mean reaching some special, different level; rather, it means one must refine and discipline oneself even more thoroughly under greater scrutiny. The philosophy your firm pursues—that the higher one’s position, the stricter one must be in self-management and fulfilling social responsibilities—resonated deeply with me, someone who has always lived with a profound awareness of my identity as an ‘ordinary person’. I firmly believe that one should never use a profession—gained merely through slightly greater aptitude for study than others, a privilege few attain—as a tool for pride or to flaunt one’s status. I have strived to give back to society through the position and abilities granted to me. I sense that my values align well with yours, and I sincerely wish to share in that purpose.
Rather than putting forward lofty ideals or grand ambitions, I prefer to start by seeing myself as an ‘ordinary person’. I believe that by thinking this way, I can understand the hearts of ‘ordinary people’ who need help more deeply, think from their perspective, and listen more attentively to their voices. I am acutely aware that I am fundamentally no different from the majority of people in this world, and this self-awareness is precisely the driving force that compels me to be more faithful to the calling I have been given. I view the role and responsibilities entrusted to me as a mission that transcends a mere career choice. To fulfill this calling, I pledge to cultivate my practical skills and to always approach my duties with humility and diligence.
Even as I write this now, I constantly ask myself how I can contribute my abilities if I join your company. I value a sincere attitude and continuous self-reflection and practice more than flashy words. Moving forward, I will maintain the humility of an ‘ordinary person’ while never forgetting the responsibility of someone chosen, quietly solidifying my place as a member serving society.
