This blog post introduces how to convincingly convey the challenging spirit required for HR roles in your cover letter—linking it to practical experience rather than mere passion.
Company Selection Criteria
“I respect your company for achieving what everyone said was impossible.”
Amorepacific was established in 2006 through the spin-off of the cosmetics, household goods, and food divisions from Taepyungyang Co., Ltd., and has pursued relentless innovation ever since. In August of the same year, it entered the Japanese market under the Amorepacific brand, and in September, it integrated its mass beauty and health divisions to launch MB&S. In August 2007, it launched the brand ‘Laneige’ at the Lotte Department Store in Moscow, Russia, and in 2008, it opened ‘Aritaum’, bringing a fresh wave to the domestic cosmetics market. Subsequently, in 2010, the Innisfree business unit was spun off to establish Innisfree Co., Ltd. In June of the same year, the holding company AGO was founded. In 2011, the company acquired the French perfume house Annick Goutal, expanding its influence in the global beauty market.
The reason this company, founded in 2006, achieved unprecedented growth in such a short time was not only due to capital or human resources, but because every member was firmly united by a spirit of ‘challenge,’ constantly striving to discover new opportunities and pioneer new markets. Witnessing Amorepacific’s journey inspired me to major in business administration, and throughout that process, I became even more deeply impressed by the company’s vision and spirit of challenge. That is why I decided to align my career path with Amorepacific.
Your company never hesitates before any stage and never deems any situation impossible. I have nurtured a grand dream of being part of that challenging atmosphere and global momentum. Having prepared and strived solely to join Amorepacific, I now wish to demonstrate all the passion and effort I have accumulated thus far. Moving forward, I will grow alongside your company’s vision and become a talent who illuminates that journey.
The corporate value I hold most dear
“Challenge yourself every moment”
I consider the ‘spirit of challenge’ to be the most important value in life. And to grow into someone who fits well with Amorepacific, I have continuously nurtured and practiced this spirit of challenge within myself. It began with exercise. Having loved reading and studying since childhood, I was less active and had a chubby build, far removed from sports. However, I believed that to align with Amorepacific’s vibrant image, I needed a healthier, more energetic physique. Driven solely by this determination, I began exercising and, after eight months of consistent effort, lost 12kg. I learned to swim for the first time in my life and even achieved the milestone of obtaining a scuba diving certification. The journey wasn’t smooth sailing. I tore a muscle during exercise and collapsed from shortness of breath, but each setback only strengthened my resolve not to give up. The sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally held that certification in my hands and saw my more energetic reflection in the mirror is something I still can’t forget.
During vacations, I always took part-time jobs in new environments. My thinking was, ‘If I’m going to work anyway, I might as well gain as diverse an experience as possible.’ Though I was born and raised in Seoul, I worked part-time at ski resorts, barbecue restaurants, cafes, and shaved ice shops across the country—in places like Busan, Ulsan, Jeonju, and Jeju. This allowed me to experience regional cultures and meet people from different parts of the country up close. I also frequently traveled abroad using money earned from these jobs. Notably, I went on a language study program to Japan, the birthplace of cosmetics. Living in the heart of Japan, I struggled with the high cost of living, but I quickly adapted, juggling part-time work while continuing my studies. Initially, I faced difficulties when my somewhat conservative friends excluded me from presentation groups, but I prepared materials on my own and stepped up to present. By always greeting people first and connecting with them, I eventually formed bonds with good friends and learned a great deal.
No matter what I do, I challenge myself in every moment and guard against stagnation. This habit and mindset shaped who I am today and will continue to guide me forward. At Amorepacific, I will grow continuously with diligence and a spirit of challenge, becoming a contributor who creates new value and change.
Competencies Related to the Position
“I will describe my experiences meeting people.”
While working part-time jobs in various places to make a living, I met a truly vast number of people. Initially, I thought the world was filled only with ordinary people, but encountering such diverse individuals at work made me realize that ‘ordinary people’ are actually quite rare. Everyone lived with their own unique personalities and ways, and I sensed that the world functions through the interplay of different dispositions and values.
During my training in Japan, I gained deep insight into the meticulous and methodical tendencies of people. I observed individuals who planned down to the minute and strictly adhered to those plans; most of them aspired to research institute positions. Conversely, I rarely saw people with such tendencies in sales or counter roles. This experience allowed me to compare the types of work preferred by meticulous personalities versus those who weren’t, observing the connection between job roles and personality traits.
Additionally, while working part-time as a cafe server in Jeju, I encountered an unexpected situation. The cafe I worked at suddenly closed due to financial difficulties. Having lost my job overnight in a foreign place, I found myself reflecting deeply on the cause. I concluded the problem stemmed from the clash between the laid-back owner and the meticulous manager, which disrupted smooth operations. This experience taught me that people can only work long-term and put in effort, while also demonstrating their abilities, when they are assigned roles that match their temperament and aptitude.
Beyond this, I’ve met countless people in various settings and witnessed both cases where individuals found the right fit and succeeded, and cases where they did not. Through this, I truly grasped the importance of ‘the right person in the right place’ and the fact that personnel decisions determine an organization’s success or failure. Ultimately, I came to believe that understanding people and placing them in roles that match their inclinations and strengths is not merely personnel management, but a core strategy for building a healthy organization.
Efforts in Competency Development
“Understand the era and the timing.”
I believed that to effectively handle the dual responsibilities of personnel and general affairs at Amorepacific, the most essential competency was the ability to read the ‘era’ and the ‘timing’. By ‘era,’ I mean accurately understanding the beauty trends and public needs that Amorepacific is leading in this era. I believed that only by grasping this could I properly execute HR tasks, support members to work more efficiently, and effectively connect them with the essential talent needed in the right places. I felt that only when these connections and support come together can the company operate more vibrantly and efficiently.
To this end, I continuously study the times and trends. I subscribe to the latest beauty magazines monthly, scraping articles, and read the newspaper at least once a day to grasp economic and current affairs trends. By accumulating this diverse information and perspectives, I can more accurately read the changing market and social atmosphere.
Furthermore, I believe ‘timing’ is also crucial. Timing refers to the moment of placing the right talent in the right role at the right time. To master this, I researched and analyzed HR case studies across various industries and companies, took relevant courses, and consistently attended seminars in HR and general affairs. Through this process, I interacted with numerous industry experts, broadening my insights into HR operations.
Moving forward, I will continue learning and striving to become a smart employee who accurately reads the trends of the times and the timing of the moment. Amidst the currents of change, I will grow into a talent who always prepares one step ahead, enabling both the company and its members to achieve greater results.
Future Aspirations
“People are the most important.”
During my third year at
University, I participated in a rural volunteer program (Nonghwal). Without a doubt, it was the most difficult and chaotic volunteer experience of my life. The treasurer, due to his scatterbrained nature, lost part of the group funds. The leader, while kind-hearted, was severely directionally challenged and kept leading us down the wrong paths. To make matters worse, in this situation, I wished the professor would have strictly looked after the students, but he showed an almost indifferent attitude. Ultimately, because I was a third-year student, I had to step up to straighten out the disorganized atmosphere, re-establish the plan, and get the activities back on track. Through this process, I felt the importance of ‘people’ in my bones.
This experience didn’t end with just the farm work. Afterwards, during my preparations for studying abroad, my activities as a supporter, and throughout my entire university life, I repeatedly realized: The success or failure of an organization hinges on ‘who is in which position,’ and particularly, the direction and pace of that organization are determined by the character of its leader. I personally experienced how crucial a single leader and the combination of team members surrounding them truly are.
Therefore, I believe that for Amorepacific to continue growing and developing, the most essential element is precisely ‘people.’ I aspire to work in a department that manages and supports these ‘people’. Should I be entrusted with this role, I will first reflect on myself and strive to be someone who grows continuously. I will also meticulously understand and consistently observe to place the right talent in the right positions, working diligently to foster optimal teamwork. Over time, I will mature into a more capable member, becoming an employee who makes tangible contributions to your company’s development.
