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

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

LIAM

Senior Risk & Compliance

Challenges

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

With over 10 years of experience in risk and compliance roles at global companies like Deloitte, AIG, and Prudential, I thought my career transition to Australia would be smooth. However, the reality was much tougher than I expected. It took me more than two years to settle in, and when I finally started applying for jobs, I faced challenge after challenge.

The pandemic had significantly reduced opportunities, especially in my field, and I found myself competing with highly experienced local candidates. My lack of local experience was a major barrier, especially in an area like risk and compliance, where understanding local laws and regulations is critical. Adding to my struggles was a four-year career gap and the fact that I was on a temporary visa, which automatically disqualified me from many positions requiring PR or citizenship.

Initially, I tried to navigate the job search on my own, relying on free resources online. My resume was a simple list of tasks, and I used the same version for every job. Despite my best efforts, I applied for over 200 jobs in a year and received just one interview—and no job offers. That’s when I realized I needed professional guidance.

Strategies

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

Working with Thea Ho completely changed the game for me. She showed me how to rewrite my resume to focus on what hiring managers want: achievements, technical skills, and measurable contributions. My new resume immediately conveyed my qualifications and expertise—just from the first page.

What truly set Thea’s coaching apart was her emphasis on customization. She walked me through how to tailor my resume and cover letter for each role, incorporating the right keywords and aligning my profile with the exact skills employers were seeking. This strategy made a huge difference; even though I applied for only 3-5 jobs per month due to personal commitments, I received interviews for nearly every role.

Thea didn’t just stop at the application. Her interview strategies helped me focus on showcasing my technical expertise, years of experience, and achievements—the things hiring managers care about most. I went into every interview with confidence, knowing I was fully prepared to answer any question.

Results

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

The first major breakthrough came when I interviewed for a role and was invited to meet the team at the company’s office. It was a validation of everything I’d learned from Thea. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the company decided to halt recruitment, and I didn’t get the job.

Despite this setback, Thea’s strategies kept opening doors. A recruiter found my profile on SEEK, where I had used the resume I developed with Thea, and they contacted me about a role that was a perfect match for my experience. Within two days, I had an interview.

The process was rigorous—I had to meet with the HR manager, the hiring manager, and the CFO, who grilled me on everything from my soft skills to my understanding of local regulations. But thanks to Thea’s interview strategies, I felt confident and well-prepared. Even though I didn’t have local experience, the hiring manager later shared that he was very impressed with me.

While they wanted to interview more candidates for a managerial position, after a month of searching, they circled back to me as they couldn’t find anyone more suitable. This led to a second interview with the COO, where I focused on demonstrating my understanding of local expectations and regulations. The next day, they offered me the job.

Landing this role with a four-year gap and no local experience still feels surreal. The position fits my skills perfectly and builds on everything I’ve achieved in my career. My hiring manager, who has been with the company for more than 10 years, has been incredibly supportive in helping me settle into the role.

This job has not only revitalized my career but also provided stability for my family. We no longer need to move to another country due to my wife’s role, and we can now happily settle down in Australia for the long term.

Working with Thea was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Her strategies were far more advanced than anything I’d found online, and they delivered real results. The level of customization, insight, and encouragement she provided was invaluable in helping me secure a role that once felt out of reach.

If you’re looking to land a job sooner and stand out in a competitive market, I can’t recommend Thea enough. Her coaching is truly transformative and worth every investment.

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

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