Real stories of migrants who began with courage and achieved a skilled job & permanent residency

This is Anh's
Ace A Job^®
success story

ANH

Landscape Architect

Challenges

INTRO.............................................

As a recent graduate in Landscape Architecture, I faced significant challenges breaking into my professional field. I had very limited experience—only some university projects to my name—and lacked the local experience that many companies prioritize. Competing with experienced local candidates was daunting, especially while being on a graduate visa, which can raise concerns for employers.

Adding to these challenges, I had a gap since graduation due to my job search, and to be honest, I wasn’t very confident in my English. I knew I needed to improve my communication skills, so I made a plan to take action and change things.

Strategies

LEARNING............................

One of the best decisions I made was working with Thea early. It provided me with a solid foundation for success, covering everything from creating a strong resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to mastering interview skills and networking. With Thea’s guidance, I also developed an offline and online portfolio, which significantly enhanced my application and helped me secure more interviews.

Knowing I lacked local experience, a professional network, and strong communication skills, I focused on improving in these areas:

• I took on freelance projects from my professors, which gave me local experience and helped me build valuable client management skills.
• I actively posted my designs on LinkedIn, which not only showcased my work but also expanded my network dramatically. Now, I have connections at nearly every major company in the landscape architecture industry!
• I practiced English by watching TV programs to improve my listening and speaking skills. Over time, my confidence grew, and I’m no longer shy about speaking to strangers.

When it came to interviews, I had two key strategies that made all the difference. First, I always stayed well-prepared for phone interviews, which often came unexpectedly. By following Thea’s strategies, I knew exactly how to answer questions about myself and the company. Second, I adopted a mindset shift: I treated the interviewer like a friend, which helped me stay calm and confident. This approach allowed me to be myself and effectively showcase my technical skills and local experience.

Results

SUCCESS.................

Results came quickly. For the second job I applied for, I was invited to a face-to-face interview with the hiring manager. I was close to getting the offer, but unfortunately, the position was canceled due to a lockdown.

I kept going and landed several more interviews, including one with a Big 4 company in the architecture industry. They received around 25,000 applications, yet my strong application helped me secure an interview—a huge accomplishment on its own! Although I didn’t land the job due to tough competition with experienced local candidates, I felt incredibly proud of reaching that stage.

Shortly after, I received another opportunity through a referral from my network. This time, I felt calm and confident during the interview, treating the interviewer as a friend. I was able to present the best version of myself, and they offered me the job on the spot! They even asked if I could start the very next day.

This role came with a very good salary for a fresh graduate, and they promised a pay raise after three months based on my performance.

I’m thrilled with my results. This success didn’t come overnight—it was the result of building a strong profile, gaining local experience, improving my communication skills, shifting my mindset, and leveraging my network referrals.

It took a lot of effort, but I can confidently say it was absolutely worth it. This journey taught me that with the right strategies and persistence, you can achieve your career goals.

Ready to secure a full-time job & PR to call Australia home?

_{Results are not guaranteed. Please see the earnings disclaimer for more details.}