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

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

LUCAS

CAD Technician / Interior Designer

Challenges

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

I graduated with a degree in architecture and started my career in Melbourne. But when my wife got a job in Brisbane, we moved there to start fresh. Life took an unexpected turn—I found myself working part-time in a restaurant. The job was unstable, the income was low, and I hardly had any time for myself or my family. I knew I needed to get back to my professional field of architecture, but the road wasn’t easy.

For 14 months, I applied to over 300 jobs and got only two interviews. It was frustrating and disheartening. I knew my resume wasn’t strong enough to get noticed, and when I did get interviews, I couldn’t prove myself. On top of that, my graduate visa seemed to be a concern for employers, though they never directly said it. As an international graduate, I also didn’t have local experience, only freelance work I’d done during my studies and two short roles back home. With no strong local network to help me, I felt frustrated and out of control.

Strategies

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

That’s when I reached out to Thea Ho, and things finally began to change. She helped me completely transform my resume. Coming from an architecture background, I thought my portfolio was the most important thing, so I reserved only one page for my resume. But Thea made me realise that if my resume didn’t immediately grab attention, employers wouldn’t even look at my portfolio.

Even though I didn’t have much experience, Thea helped me create an impressive resume that showcased my skills and freelance projects in a way that stood out. She also guided me in writing a cover letter that was unique and attention-grabbing. Her cover letter template was so well-structured that it was easy to follow and adapt to my story. Thea reviewed and optimised my application to ensure it was high-quality, and that gave me the confidence to start applying again.

Results

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

The results came quickly. After just a few weeks of sending out my new applications, I landed a job as a CAD technician, where I design, draft plans, and create technical drawings for building projects. A short while later, the company recognised my capabilities and trusted me with interior design responsibilities as well. Now, I’m in charge of both areas, and it feels amazing to work in my domain again.

This job has transformed my life. I no longer have to do casual work—I have more time for myself and my family, and my income is much better. This stability is especially important now that my wife and I have a baby. Knowing that I can support my family and spend quality time with them makes me truly happy.

What’s even more exciting is that my job is on the occupation list for PR. After working in this role for just 3-6 months, I’ll be eligible to apply for a permanent visa. I’m hopeful we’ll secure PR soon—it’s so important for my family’s future and my baby’s bright future.

If you’re also aiming to get PR and struggling to find a job, I highly recommend Thea’s coaching. It helped me achieve something I thought was impossible. Thea doesn’t just guide you to a job—she helps you create a stable, meaningful future.

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

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