This blog post introduces how to effectively convey a pharmacy major’s specialized knowledge in a cover letter—transforming it from mere background into competitive advantage in the sales field.
Background
“A Young Father Who Never Lost His Dream”
My father spent his childhood in France. Drawing from that experience, he lived a life traversing the globe, personally immersing himself in diverse cultures through his own travels. Observing my father’s life, I naturally absorbed a flexibility that felt unlike that of an old-fashioned person and an open-minded perspective on the world. The time spent with my father became a great inspiration to me, fostering my own resolve to one day become someone active on the world stage.
My father’s profession was that of a chocolatier. He developed new dishes by combining chocolate and wine, and was a highly skilled dessert chef who received greater recognition abroad than domestically. Thanks to him, I was able to experience foods and ingredients from various countries from a young age, cultivating a sense for desserts and a refined palate. It was thanks to my father that I could feel the culture and philosophy contained within a single piece of dessert, going beyond simply eating delicious food.
Above all, I respected and loved my father’s unwavering professional spirit and his broad perspective that allowed him to connect with people across borders. My desire to be like him grew stronger over time, and I set the goal of becoming a recognized expert in my own field. That chosen path was the field of ‘pharmaceuticals,’ and my interest in pharmacy naturally led me to enroll in a pharmacy college.
I dreamed of working for a global pharmaceutical company rather than a general hospital, where I could demonstrate my expertise and make a name for myself. And on the journey toward that dream, my father was always by my side with his unstinting support and encouragement. He provided every necessary study environment—tutoring, cram schools—to help me get into my desired university, offering full support for anything related to my academics. As a result, I was admitted to the department at the university I aspired to, and I still remember that gratitude today.
A young father who always lives holding onto his own dreams, and a warm father who sincerely cheers for his child’s dreams as if they were his own. His presence remains a steadfast pillar in my life today. The reason I can walk my path silently without giving up, and the desire to challenge myself in a bigger world ahead, are both thanks to the courage and conviction I learned from him.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Personality
“Responding with Calmness and Wisdom”
I tend to be somewhat shy around people I meet for the first time. Perhaps because of this, wherever I go, people I meet for the first time often perceive me as a quiet person. However, once we get a little closer, they quickly realize my personality isn’t as quiet as they might have thought. My shyness is only present initially; once we become somewhat familiar, I clearly express my thoughts, show my sense of humor, and tend to liven up the atmosphere.
The reason it takes me some time to get close to people is that I approach relationships with a certain degree of ‘caution’. I believe that when people meet and form connections, it should never be taken lightly. Approaching too easily can risk creating disharmony, so I tend to observe someone I’ve just met, looking at their tendencies and how to interact to make both of us comfortable. I try to avoid actions that might make the other person uncomfortable and instead strive to show an attitude they would likely prefer. Building trust naturally and forming relationships this way is my own approach.
Because I take this cautious attitude when meeting new people, I believe my personality is imbued with both calmness and ‘wisdom’. This tendency is even more pronounced not only in human relationships but also in how I handle work. I always hold the belief that any task or responsibility given to me is entirely my burden to bear, and that its outcome can directly shape how I am evaluated as a person. Therefore, no matter what I undertake, I approach it with the mindset that I must “execute it flawlessly without error,” giving it my utmost effort. Furthermore, since I also value the trust and reputation of those around me, I strive to approach everything with even greater caution.
Especially when things don’t go smoothly or unexpected problems arise, I try to calmly observe the situation and reset my direction rather than react emotionally. Because when I coolly revisit the purpose and direction of what I’m doing now, rather than getting excited or rushing, the solution becomes clear. I believe that by making calm judgments and responding wisely, I can ultimately achieve good results.
Whether in relationships or my responsibilities, I always strive to maintain composure and prudence. I aspire to be someone who navigates situations wisely, without being easily carried away or swayed by emotions. I want to be remembered as a ‘calm yet wise person’ in the various scenes of my life.
School Life
“Studying Pharmacognosy in the Medicinal Herb Research Club”
During my university years, I joined the ‘Medicinal Herb Research Club,’ an academic club within the Pharmacy Department, and was actively involved. The department had over five academic clubs, and club activities formed a crucial part of departmental life. I naturally devoted a significant amount of time to club activities, pouring particular passion into collecting information about medicinal herbs and conducting field surveys.
The field that most captured my interest was wild herb studies. Through this, I was able to deeply study the grasses and plants growing in Korea’s mountains and fields—the wild herbs. Building on this foundation, I accumulated knowledge about indigenous medicinal herbs and traditional Korean herbal medicine. This naturally led me to participate in pharmacology research focused on creating health-benefiting preparations using medicinal herbs. During this process, I researched and compiled data on various herbs and their efficacy, including Artemisia princeps, Ganoderma lucidum, Eucommia bark, Angelica root, Atractylodes root, Polygonum multiflorum, Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum aviculare, and Hamcho-hwan.
These activities extended beyond mere theory into practical manufacturing processes. Using the collected herbs, I processed them into health-promoting powders or granules, gaining valuable experience by personally experiencing and learning the process of producing health supplements. Combining field-based learning with hands-on practice, the process of extracting beneficial components for the human body from natural materials was both fascinating and rewarding.
Thus, the herb research club activities provided me with a precious opportunity to develop not only professional knowledge about herbs and pharmacognosy but also field survey skills and practical expertise. Looking back now, this experience became a crucial foundation for my studies and career path, and it was a meaningful time that led me to deeply contemplate the connections between nature, health, and people.
Hobbies/Special Skills
“Cake Maniac, Making Cakes”
I love cake so much that I call myself a ‘cake maniac’. Cake is so deeply woven into my life that when planning trips, I even schedule visits to famous cake cafes in each region as sort of ‘stops’ on my itinerary. I’m not only interested in experiencing and tasting various types of cake but also in making them, which has naturally led to accumulating cake-related knowledge and experience.
The types of cakes I know are quite diverse. Pancake cakes, crepe cakes, roll cakes, sponge cakes, chiffon cakes, gateaux, ice cakes, mousse cakes, rice cake cakes, steamed cakes, pound cakes—just hearing their names makes my heart flutter. I’ve personally made over half of these types. I especially enjoy making roll cakes, crepe cakes, mousse cakes, and pound cakes often because they’re easy to make with just a few basic ingredients.
The ingredients I primarily use when baking cakes include unsalted butter, eggs, cake flour, baking powder, milk, sponge cake sheets, gelatin, and lemon juice. While I could simply substitute store-bought sheets, I find great joy in making the batter myself and adjusting the flavor and texture. Since the flavor of the sheet varies depending on the batter, selecting ingredients to match the desired mood and harmony is part of the creative process.
For sheet ingredients, I use carrots, sweet potatoes, strawberries, walnuts, blueberries, apples, Earl Grey powder, cinnamon powder, cocoa powder, and butternut squash. Among these, I particularly love carrots and butternut squash. They offer a distinct flavor without excessive sweetness, resulting in a harmonious taste that remains balanced even after decoration. Cakes like carrot cake, with their moderate sweetness and distinct character, perfectly match my taste preferences.
After completing the cake layers, I move on to the main decoration work. The ingredients used at this stage are extremely diverse: fresh cream, chocolate cream, various fruits, cream cheese, powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate chips, sour cream, ganache, cashews, mango puree, and more. I’ve experimented with countless combinations over the years, but fruit, cream cheese, and powdered ingredients are always my staples. Among these, the combination of fruit, cream cheese, and fresh cream creates a universally enjoyable flavor that anyone can appreciate, which is why I use it so often.
Combining diverse ingredients, exploring new flavors, and sharing my cakes with others is my greatest joy. In that moment, it feels less like a ‘hobby’ and more like a ‘small gift’. Knowing that the care and emotion poured into a single slice of cake can become a cherished memory for someone transforms my cake-making hobby into more than just a leisure activity; it becomes a warm medium for connection within daily life.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations
“A Pharmaceutical Professional with the Attitude of a Healthcare Provider”
While majoring in pharmacy at university, I developed a deep interest in pharmacognosy and herbal medicine. This journey led me to concretely decide on a career path in the traditional pharmaceutical products field. I was particularly drawn to your company’s work developing health functional foods using traditional medicinal herbs and expanding new businesses based on this foundation. Upon learning your company was seeking talent in this field, I decided to apply, believing I could actively apply my accumulated knowledge and experience to practical work.
I believe that those working in the pharmaceutical industry must also possess the mindset of a ‘healthcare professional’. This means working not merely to produce and sell products, but with a conscious commitment to contributing to the health promotion and disease prevention of consumers who use medicines and foods. I believe that genuine care for people must be embedded in every single product, and that this is the very essence of being a pharmaceutical professional.
Should I have the opportunity to work at your company, I wish to participate in developing products that seamlessly integrate traditional Korean medicinal herbs and herbal formulations into modern lifestyles. Through health functional foods that anyone can comfortably incorporate into their daily routine, I will help reintroduce and widely disseminate the value inherent in traditional herbal medicines. As a pharmaceutical professional bridging tradition and modernity, I will dedicate myself to creating authentic products that support consumers’ healthy lives.
