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

This is Justin's
Ace A Job^®

success story

JUSTIN

Graduate of Architecture

Challenges

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

After graduating with two bachelor’s degrees in architecture, I thought I was ready to launch my career. I had gained experience through three short-term roles and worked as a freelancer throughout my studies, but my job search proved far more challenging than I had anticipated.

I applied for 196 jobs and received only three interviews, all of which ended with rejection. The feedback was consistent: I didn’t have enough experience. At the same time, I was dealing with a 1.5-year gap since graduation. I knew that being unemployed for too long could erode my skills, especially in a field like architecture, which requires constant practice and improvement.

To make ends meet, I worked a heavy part-time job in hospitality, which was completely unrelated to architecture. I felt stuck. My confidence started to waver, and I wondered if I’d ever be able to break into the field. That’s when I found Thea Ho on social media and decided to seek her help. It was the turning point I desperately needed.

Strategies

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

As a designer, I initially focused my resume almost entirely on the visual aspect. It looked great but lacked substance. The bullets were too short to effectively highlight my skills and achievements, and I wasn’t making the most of my architectural experience.

Thea’s resume training helped me completely transform my application. Within just two weeks, I had a polished, professional resume that showcased my strengths and aligned with the roles I was applying for.

Although Thea doesn’t have a background in architecture, her feedback on my portfolio was incredibly insightful. With her guidance, I was able to strengthen it significantly, making my application much more compelling.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was how to customize my application. Before working with Thea, I used the same resume for every job, which resulted in a lot of wasted time and effort with little to show for it. Thea’s customization strategy was a game-changer. By tailoring each application to the specific role, I applied for fewer jobs but with much higher quality. This targeted approach saved me time and dramatically improved my results.

Results

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

While I didn’t face any immediate visa issues—being a citizen—I was eager to leave my casual job in hospitality. It paid the bills, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. I’m young and passionate about architecture, and I didn’t want to get stuck in a job I didn’t love.

When I started applying for jobs using Thea’s strategies, my mindset shifted. Initially, I aimed for roles at top-tier architectural firms, but after some feedback from Thea, I adjusted my strategy to focus on getting my foot in the door by targeting smaller companies.

The change in approach paid off. I landed a role with an architectural leader in residential design consultancy services. Now, I’m working in an area I’m deeply passionate about—design. This role gives me the opportunity to grow, gain valuable experience, and do the work I love.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges because they led me to Thea’s coaching, which completely transformed my job search. With the momentum I’ve gained from this position, I’m confident that I’ll continue to grow and excel in the long term.

Thank you, Thea, for your coaching and for helping me turn my passion into a career.

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

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