This blog post guides new applicants with limited accounting experience on what experiences to emphasize in their cover letters.
Growth Process
“The House with the Biggest Hands in the Neighborhood”
My parents say they grew up hearing people say, “With hands that big, they’ll bankrupt the family.” Though their personalities differ greatly, one common trait is their ‘heart for sharing with others.’ Indeed, my parents have lived their entire lives willingly sharing with those around them.
When I was very young, we lived in a small village in Tongyeong, and even then, my parents always shared food with the neighbors. Whenever something delicious appeared at home, they shared it with the neighbors, and whenever they received a gift from someone, they always shared it with those around them. They never forgot to make rice cakes or taffy each month to give to the elderly in the neighborhood. This wasn’t something they planned deliberately, like what people today call “volunteer work” or “relief activities.” It was simply a natural action that flowed from their hearts. They were the kind of people who, upon seeing an elderly person, felt compelled to offer them something, and upon seeing a neighbor working hard, felt at ease only after handing them a warm cup of coffee.
Even after moving to the city, my parents’ generous nature remained unchanged. When they first moved into the apartment, neighbors remarked, “They seem a bit eccentric,” or “What’s their hidden agenda?” But as time passed, the neighbors came to understand my parents’ sincerity and gradually opened their hearts. The neighbors who recognized their sincerity actually joined in sharing and giving with my parents, and eventually, together with the women’s association, they established a support fund to help struggling families.
Growing up watching such wonderful parents up close, I naturally learned how warm and precious ‘sharing’ truly is. I came to understand that sharing isn’t just about material things; it’s about sharing hearts and the joy of living together. That’s why, even now, I strive to practice small but sincere acts of sharing in my daily life. Living this way is the direction I want to keep following.
Personality and Special Skills
“I am a sensible person who moves methodically and executes quickly.”
I consider myself ‘methodical and quick to act’. Compared to many people, what particularly stands out in my personality is this ‘planning’ and ‘swift execution’. I don’t simply let the day pass by. I have always aimed for a life where the phrase ‘living proactively’ fits better than ‘just getting through each day’.
During my college years, I naturally grew weary of the school culture focused solely on partying and eating. Then, I encountered a book on ‘how to plan,’ and that experience completely transformed me. The book introduced the concept of the ‘333 Rule.’ It involved setting tasks in 3-hour blocks, breaking them down into 30-minute actionable subtasks, and strategically placing 3-minute short transition activities throughout to counteract waning focus. When I encountered this method, it felt like a puzzle piece finally clicking into place. I realized, ‘This is the way of life I’ve been searching for.’ From that moment until now, I’ve consistently maintained the habit of writing in my diary and planning every day.
This habit doesn’t stop at just planning. In practice, I’ve become faster at handling tasks and gained the ability to organically juggle multiple things simultaneously. Because of this, people around me often tell me I’m “senseful” or “someone they can trust to handle things.” I think they trust me because of my attitude: I finish tasks cleanly in one go and never forget or neglect responsibilities. I’ve consistently maintained good relationships not only with professors but also with people I’ve met at part-time jobs. Wherever I’ve been, I’ve received praise for being “sensible and dependable” rather than criticism for being “inefficient.”
Ultimately, this aspect of my character and these habits have become more than just personality traits; they’ve formed the foundation for building trust and fostering positive relationships with people in diverse situations. Moving forward, I am confident that I can leverage the planning and execution skills I have developed to move flexibly and proactively in any environment, achieving results in my own way.
School Life and Future Aspirations
“I had a deep affection for school and academics, enough to earn top honors.”
While majoring in Business Administration, I developed a particular interest in Accounting. Accounting is often perceived as a difficult and rigid subject even among business students, with many struggling to grasp it or even avoiding it altogether. Especially in large lectures with 250 students per class, professors often find it challenging to tailor instruction to each individual’s level of understanding. Unlike the detailed, patient explanations of high school, the structure makes it difficult to keep up without self-directed learning. Consequently, many students give up midway.
However, I found that very environment made accounting an even more compelling discipline. Only by studying independently could I truly grasp it, and the sense of accomplishment from connecting concepts piece by piece and solving equations was an exhilarating experience unmatched by rote memorization or simple comprehension subjects. This immersion in accounting led me to consistently take related courses, and ultimately, I earned my CPA certification.
My affection extended beyond academics to the school itself. I viewed it as my chosen institution, where every opportunity offered was a resource for my growth, and I didn’t want to miss a single one. I actively utilized everything from scholarship programs to overseas volunteer activities, internship programs, and even discounted gym passes, constantly striving for self-improvement. I approached classes with the mindset that ‘I am paying for this education,’ taking as many courses as possible and attending every single one diligently without a single absence.
By balancing academics with self-development, I steadily built up my experience and capabilities. As a result, by graduation, I was able to leave the school with the honorable position of Vice President of the Student Council and the valuable achievement of being the top student in my department. I believe all these experiences are not mere outcomes, but evidence of how much affection and sincerity I poured into my school and studies. They will also serve as a solid foundation for my future career path.
Volunteer Activities
“Beginning my role as a mentor, I realized my own shortcomings”
During my college years, one of the activities I poured my heart into the most was ‘volunteer work’. Although my values regarding service were naturally formed from a young age, following my parents to various volunteer sites, a specific event brought about a greater shift in my perspective. One day, I heard a lecture discussing global university enrollment rates, and its content deeply resonated with me. The speaker stated that only 1% of the world’s population has the opportunity to attend university. Hearing this was quite a shock to me. I had vaguely assumed at least 40% of people attended university, since most around me did. But reality was different. Facing this truth, I realized, ‘What I enjoy might be someone else’s deepest wish.’ The speaker then added: “The 1% who can attend university have a responsibility to share the blessings and benefits they’ve received with the remaining 99%.” That sentence etched itself deep into my heart.
After that day, I began mentoring to fulfill that 1% responsibility. I started mentoring youth who were on probation or adrift due to family circumstances or personal situations. It was never easy at first. Even when I approached them with sincerity, I was often met with unwarranted hostility or complete silence, making conversation nearly impossible. But I didn’t give up. I knew I wasn’t perfect and had many shortcomings myself, but if even someone like me could be of help, I wanted to be there for them wholeheartedly. So, I explained what I knew to them with all my heart and, above all, consistently listened intently to their stories. Gradually, change began to happen. One by one, the children began to open up. The moment I felt that trust, I felt an even greater sense of responsibility. I strove to be more than just a mentor; I wanted to be an adult who genuinely cheered for their future.
Even now, I keep in touch with those friends. We’ve now moved beyond mentor and mentee, becoming friends who understand and support each other. Through this process, I didn’t just remain someone who offered help; I gained time to reflect on my own shortcomings and limitations. In fact, I learned and grew much more myself. Volunteering is work for others, but it’s also a path for myself—this was a precious experience that taught me that truth.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations
“I will be unconditionally sincere.”
I am a newcomer. While I hold accounting-related certifications and briefly experienced accounting work through an internship, I have yet to begin full-fledged company life—I am, quite literally, a ‘complete newcomer’. No matter how hard I try, I may appear clumsy, and it might take time to learn the company’s structure and atmosphere. However, precisely because of this, I am someone who is prepared to break through.
I am fully aware that I still have many shortcomings. Therefore, I will not hesitate to learn. If there is something I don’t know, I will acknowledge it without hiding it, learn thoroughly, and correct myself. If there is criticism, I will accept it sincerely and find a path for growth within it. I value harmony with colleagues within the organization and will strive to blend naturally into the team. Furthermore, I aim to become someone who is sensitive to the company’s atmosphere, culture, and way of working, and who knows how to adjust myself accordingly.
Above all, I hold the attitude of ‘sincerity’ as my most important value. While quickly mastering tasks is important, I believe an even more crucial factor is a consistent and earnest approach to work. If given the opportunity, I will diligently build each day with sincerity and do my utmost to become a trusted member of the team. Although I am still at a stage where I have much to learn and master, I promise to approach my work with more earnestness and passion than anyone else. Thank you.
