In this blog post, I’ll share how to persuasively weave market understanding and trend awareness into your planning resume, based on my experience collecting and analyzing consumer reviews.
My Growth Journey
As a child, whenever I saw my mother sitting at her vanity, I would inevitably run over and watch her in fascination. Countless cosmetics, with names too difficult to memorize, would appear and disappear in turn, each revealing its function and presence in a dazzling display. Then, the lids would close, and they’d vanish back into the drawer, only to be brought out again at some point. That entire process felt like magic. My mother handled these cosmetics with effortless skill, painting astonishing transformations onto a single face. Watching her, I naturally came to think, ‘Drawing isn’t something that only happens on sketchbooks or paper.’
Her makeup artistry left a deep impression on me: evening out skin tone, smoothing it, sharply defining facial features, adding color and dimension, and completing the look as if recreating a 3D texture. I came to see makeup not merely as a process of beautifying one’s appearance, but as an art form itself—a way to express oneself using various tools and colors. Interestingly, I myself had little interest in appearance and rarely even applied cosmetics to my own face. Yet, I learned about the functions of various creams, lipsticks, and pencils one by one, driven purely by curiosity. It was like learning the uses of paints, colored pencils, or crayons.
Having always enjoyed reading text and absorbing information, I developed a habit of reading the tiny print on cosmetic containers one by one whenever my mother was out, carefully digesting the contents. Repeated reading naturally built up knowledge about ingredients, usage instructions, and names in my mind. This, in turn, led to understanding other products, creating my own little knowledge repository. Of course, back then, I never even imagined I could freely use my own face like a canvas. It was simply that all of it felt like mysterious ‘magical art tools,’ and I was meticulously gathering related information piece by piece, driven by a desire to understand that world.
Looking back now, I think those childhood observations and immersions were the very first starting point that led me to choose my current career path. What began as simple curiosity ultimately cultivated my own unique perspective and sensibility, and those formative years shaped who I am today.
School Days Memories, My Perspective on Cosmetics
During my school days, I never really thought I’d be able to apply cosmetics directly to my own face. I was simply captivated by the world of their functions and applications, actively seeking out related information. I eagerly consumed the posts and videos of beauty bloggers and active cosmetics reviewers, but it felt akin to vicariously enjoying glimpses into the lives of people driving fancy cars. Much like a supercar enthusiast finding satisfaction in admiring luxury vehicles they could never afford in the parking lots of the wealthy, I too viewed the world of ‘cosmetics’ as something detached from my real life, merely an object to gaze upon.
Perhaps because I lacked confidence in my own appearance, I harbored a deep-seated inferiority complex, thinking along the lines of ‘you can’t make a watermelon by drawing lines on a pumpkin’. For me, cosmetics were magical items meant to enhance the allure of those born beautiful, and in that sense, I felt I was never in a position to benefit from that magic. In fairy tale romances, princesses of noble birth often regain their beauty through magic, right? Similarly, I believed that no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t see significant change. That perception held me back from becoming an actual user.
That’s why, even though I developed an interest in cosmetics early on, I rarely attempted to use them directly myself. Instead, I often gave large quantities of the products I collected to my younger cousin. For a long time, I maintained the position of a bystander and observer regarding cosmetics. Perhaps it was because I lacked clear self-confidence about my appearance, and that uncertainty even made me postpone the ‘courage to try’.
Looking back now, while I definitely had an interest in cosmetics, its place in my life always felt a step removed. But precisely because I stood back, I think I had time to view the world of beauty with a more objective perspective. Now, I face cosmetics with a slightly different viewpoint than back then, and I’d like to slowly unpack that change.
About Me
I believe that every person is inherently imperfect, and that true value lies in the effort to maximize one’s strengths and minimize one’s weaknesses within that imperfection. In the past, I went through a period where I viewed life rather pessimistically, believing that only those born perfect and extraordinary could achieve meaningful accomplishments, and that the efforts of others were ultimately futile struggles. However, as time passed, I came to realize that even those who appear perfect carry their own worries and weaknesses, and they constantly strive to conceal these while making their own strengths shine even brighter. This realization awakened me to the fact that there exists a journey of self-overcoming that every human being must undertake, and it gave me the courage to step onto that journey without hesitation and with confidence. For me, the most crucial starting point was ‘acknowledging my own shortcomings.’ Accepting myself as I am and contemplating concrete, achievable ways to overcome them was an unavoidable task and an essential part of myself I had to embrace.
Of course, some say that ‘firmly establishing your own standards and maintaining an attitude unaffected by others’ opinions’ is most important for living each day faithfully. However, I found it more realistic and convincing to meticulously examine each clearly visible flaw—rather than simply ignoring them or granting myself excessive leniency—and ask, “How can I overcome this aspect?” Thus, I chose a path of confronting my own shortcomings rather than hiding them, using them as stepping stones for growth.
While this tendency sometimes forces me to face uncomfortable truths, it has also become a powerful driving force for living a truly authentic life. The effort to improve precisely because I am imperfect—that is the life I aspire to live. Moving forward, I intend to continue advancing step by step, silently but steadily, grounded in this very attitude.
Values
I believe humanity’s journey—overcoming imperfect realities and advancing toward ever more brilliant ideals—represents the great progress that has driven the development of human civilization. The individual strides each person takes to solve their own problems and relentlessly seek better solutions often ultimately connect to the growth of humanity as a whole. It is through these countless efforts and achievements that we have been able to advance civilization. Personal growth does not end solely with the individual; it expands to positively influence society and the community, often leading to outcomes that contribute to the public good.
I too hope that my efforts to grow into a better professional align with your company’s values and vision. And if these efforts yield meaningful results in a more progressive direction, that will be clear evidence of my own growth. That fact alone would bring me great joy and satisfaction. This conviction serves as my constant motivation and driving force, ensuring I never cease challenging myself toward a better tomorrow.
Reasons for Applying and Aspirations After Joining
As a child, I vividly witnessed the magic of ‘makeup artistry’ as my mother naturally concealed her physical imperfections and accentuated her best features. This experience brought to life the essence of humanity’s long-standing scientific pursuit of beauty. Of course, I never considered myself blessed with striking looks to directly benefit from that magic, so I approached it with some caution and hesitation. Yet, I always held a deep fascination with the evolving technology bridging ‘function’ and ‘aesthetics,’ observing it almost like conducting my own research. I focused on comparing various cosmetic brands, testing them personally, and analyzing their unique characteristics and effects. Through this experience, I became convinced that your company’s products contain the ‘real magic’ that delivers the most dramatic transformations. That conviction is precisely what led me to apply to your company.
Should I have the opportunity to work at your company, I will strive to be the most attuned to the industry’s latest trends and the elements that capture consumers’ interest. Based on this, I will dedicate myself to making tangible contributions to product planning and marketing strategy development. By following the flow of products and content that people passionately embrace and focus on, we can ultimately gain a clearer understanding of what they truly seek. Based on such insights, I aspire to collaborate in creating products that delicately stimulate consumers’ deepest desires. Rather than merely following trends, I earnestly hope to become part of a brand that analyzes and understands these currents to provide what people genuinely ‘want’.
