Challenges

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

After earning my Master’s degree, I struggled to break into my field of biotechnology. One of my biggest challenges was confidence in my English, particularly during interviews. Writing came naturally to me, but when it came to describing my projects or technical work, I found it difficult.

My resume was another hurdle. Before working with Thea, it was just one page with only three short bullet points per position. I didn’t know how to articulate my skills or accomplishments, even though I wanted to showcase them.

After graduation, I faced visa challenges and ended up working as a chef to make ends meet. During this time, I had to navigate temporary visa extensions outside of my professional field. My biotechnology career felt out of reach, especially with a four-year gap since graduation. I didn’t feel confident applying for jobs, but after working with Thea, the best thing I learned was to believe in myself. She encouraged me to take action, and with each step, I saw progress and gained more confidence.

Strategies

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

The skill I gained the most from Thea was resume writing. My old resume was short, half of it focused on irrelevant work back home, and included details like my theses, which I now know aren’t helpful in landing a job. With Thea’s guidance, I created a resume that was concise but packed with active verbs and strong keywords tailored to each job.

Thea also taught me how to customise my resume for each role. Now, I can easily adapt my application for any opportunity. It’s a skill that has stayed with me and made my job applications much more effective.

Another valuable strategy was learning to analyse job ads to understand exactly what employers are looking for. Recently, I applied for a Ph.D. scholarship, which required an Expression of Interest. I used Thea’s cover letter techniques to craft it, and it worked—it got results!

My LinkedIn profile has also been a great asset. Even when I wasn’t actively applying for jobs due to visa issues, recruiters reached out to me for interviews. These opportunities gave me a chance to practice and improve my interview skills using Thea’s strategies. Finally, all the preparation paid off.

Results

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

One of the most impactful strategies Thea taught me was the direct approach. Recently, I used it to contact a senior professional in my field to inquire about job opportunities. While her university wasn’t recruiting, she was impressed with my profile and referred me to a Ph.D. scholarship.

Applying for the scholarship was much like applying for a job. I submitted my resume, Expression of Interest, and other documents, all crafted using Thea’s strategies. Afterward, I had an interview with my supervisor and other professors, followed by a week-long lab test as a research assistant. I passed both and was thrilled to be awarded the Ph.D. scholarship!

This scholarship has transformed my life. It provides a stipend and allowance equivalent to a 5-figure salary in my field, allowing me to focus on research at a university in an area I love. Working on a Ph.D. feels just like having a full-time job, but with the added benefit of pursuing my passion every day.

I’m incredibly proud of this achievement, and my family back home is overjoyed. Beyond the scholarship, the Ph.D. opens the door to permanent residency, a goal I’ve worked tirelessly toward for years.

My dream is coming true, and I couldn’t have done it without Thea’s support. Her strategies and encouragement gave me the tools and confidence to take action and make this possible. Thank you, Thea, for helping me turn my dream into reality.

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

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