This blog post introduces how to authentically convey a people-centered mindset suitable for design roles in your cover letter using concrete examples.
My Growth Journey
The year I entered high school, my mother fell seriously ill. Clinging to their last hope, my parents moved to the countryside to begin convalescence, while I remained alone in Seoul to continue my studies. During that time, my mother’s condition was a major concern for the entire family, yet she never lost her strong will to live. That earnest determination ultimately became a powerful force in overcoming her illness.
While recuperating, my parents came across the concept of ‘laughter therapy’ on TV one day. Desperate for any hope, they began laughter therapy and practiced smiling at each other several times a day. After a year had passed, my mother returned to Seoul looking much brighter and healthier than before. The moment I saw her, I was truly astonished. That was the first time I truly understood that the saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’ isn’t just a simple proverb. My mother’s health is now almost completely restored.
She still says it often: “Laughter is the power of life.” Having experienced it firsthand, her belief is deeper and stronger than anyone else’s. I, too, have gradually come to feel it myself. Even on stressful days at work, seeing my parents’ smiling faces miraculously calms my heart, and I feel the knots in my mind gradually unravel. Experiencing this change, our family naturally grew closer through the medium of ‘laughter’. These days, our home laughs easily over even the smallest things. Without anyone starting it, laughter bursts out, spreads, and a pleasant energy begins to fill the house. After a truly hearty laugh, worries that felt heavy just minutes ago often seem trivial.
Looking back, my parents’ cheerfulness seems to have been the greatest driving force behind our home’s harmonious atmosphere. They always greet each other with bright faces and find great fulfillment in seeing those around them smile happily. Growing up watching my parents like that, I too developed a bright and positive personality. I believe the ‘power of laughter’ they instilled in me is fully reflected in who I am today.
School Days
During my school days, I vaguely thought I wanted to try doing my own thing someday. However, as I entered university and the time to decide my career path approached, I became overwhelmed with uncertainty about which direction to take. While I had many things I wanted to do, it was difficult to readily decide what specific job to pursue or which field would suit me best. During this time, in a social studies class, we were assigned a project to identify problems in our society and brainstorm solutions together. For this team-based project, our group chose to discuss the topic of ‘the declining number of people getting married’ among several options.
While researching and organizing this topic, I naturally began to think deeply about marriage. I realized that the decline in marriage isn’t just a matter of personal choice; it could also impact the future workforce and lead to intergenerational conflict. While pondering how to address this issue, even slightly, the idea of ‘helping people get married’ suddenly came to mind. I thought it would be good to try working in the ‘marriage industry’.
From that moment, I began to sketch out a vision in my mind. I decided to major in Business Administration in college to further develop this idea. At school, I focused on learning theory, while also gaining hands-on experience by working part-time at wedding venues and places related to wedding preparations whenever I could. I believed learning through direct, practical experience was just as important as learning from books. Through various jobs, I learned a lot about the costs involved in wedding preparations, how they are conducted, and how to treat guests. This experience proved invaluable to me.
After working part-time for a long time, friends around me naturally started coming to me to ask about wedding preparations for their brothers or sisters. I was happy to help, and the fact that I could be useful to someone felt truly joyful and rewarding. Helping several couples prepare for their weddings like this gave me the confidence that ‘I could do this job well too,’ and the image of my dream became clearer and clearer.
Helping two people in love embark on a new journey together is not a simple task; I believe it is truly rewarding and meaningful work. Moving forward, I aspire to be someone who creates special, unique preparations that touch people’s hearts. I will be someone who helps with sincerity, so that those preparing for marriage can feel more anticipation than worry, and so that their day becomes one deeply etched in their memories.
Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality
I am a cheerful person. I consider this one of my greatest strengths. Growing up in a joyful atmosphere, I was greatly influenced by my parents, who always kept their smiles. Thanks to this, even when faced with difficulties, I find that having a good laugh makes me feel lighter than getting frustrated. Because of this personality, I am always surrounded by people. Hearing people say, “Being with you makes me feel good,” gives me immense satisfaction and joy. For someone who values human connections deeply, such words are a great source of strength, motivating me to continue building relationships with sincerity.
Thanks to my cheerful disposition, I can maintain harmonious relationships in any setting and often take on the role of mediator during moments of conflict. At my previous workplace, while handling a project, negotiations with a company on the verge of signing a contract nearly broke down. Conflict arose because both sides interpreted certain clauses in the contract differently. As it was my first time leading such a contract, I felt an even greater sense of responsibility. I listened carefully to both sides’ positions and worked hard to find a compromise. After several sleepless nights of deliberation, I managed to devise a solution acceptable to both parties. Building on this, I continued efforts to rebuild trust. Restoring a severed relationship was far from easy, but I persisted in my sincere persuasion without giving up. Ultimately, I successfully concluded the contract smoothly. This experience reaffirmed a simple yet vital lesson: sincerity ultimately prevails. I firmly believe this flexible and warm personality will be a significant asset for me as I pursue a career in the service industry.
However, this aspect of my character can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. I rarely get angry and tend to smile through most situations, which can sometimes give the impression that I am weak-willed. Yet, I consider myself someone who is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. I am flexible and approachable when needed, yet I can demonstrate firm resolve and determination when the moment calls for it. My character also includes a deliberate effort not to judge people solely by appearances. Therefore, when interacting with others, I carefully observe their words and actions, striving to build relationships based on deeper understanding. Moving forward, I aspire to be a leader with gentle charisma, fostering cooperation and communication within the organization.
Career Experience (or relevant experience demonstrating professional capabilities)
Having always enjoyed working with people, I naturally developed an interest in the service industry. After entering university, I began working at a wedding-related company. At my first part-time job, I coordinated ceremony schedules for engaged couples and ensured their weddings ran smoothly. Though weekends were extremely busy with back-to-back ceremonies, I gave my all knowing I was helping people prepare for one of life’s most important moments. The experience of working with a sense of responsibility to ensure the bride and groom had a satisfying and meaningful day remains a valuable asset to me today.
Later, I also worked at a studio specializing in wedding photography. There, I was responsible for securing outdoor shooting locations, which naturally led to traveling extensively across the country to discover beautiful spots. While also assisting with shoots, I learned fundamental photography techniques directly on-site and even handled entire wedding ceremonies independently. This process naturally sparked my interest in video editing, and I subsequently taught myself relevant software to build my skills. I have now reached a proficient level in video editing, capable of planning and editing diverse video content myself.
Through these experiences, I gained a deep understanding of how crucial it is to grasp clients’ needs and deliver results that exceed expectations. Simultaneously, I learned firsthand the importance of flexible on-site adaptability, effective communication, and the meticulous preparation required to produce a single final piece. As a professional equipped with both a service mindset and practical skills, I will continue striving to demonstrate my unique value across an even wider range of settings.
