Working as an Engineer in Australia | From Waitress to Engineer

First Professional Job Abroad

“After a month and a half of working with Alejandra, I started receiving calls for interviews."

Carolina Guerrero, a Colombian Petroleum Engineer, stepped out of her comfort zone, determined to fulfill her dream of working as a professional abroad.

1. How long have you been living in Australia?

I arrived in 2016 with the goal of improving my English.

2. What is your professional experience in your home country?

I am a Petroleum Engineer with five years of experience. I am passionate about renewable or alternative energy and Workplace Health and Safety (WHS).

I have also studied in Australia, specializing in Human Resources, Project Management, and Leadership and Management.

Carolina at Warrnambool Victoria

3. Did you have professional experience in Australia when you started your job search?

Not really. I was working casually at a migration agency, and my permanent job was in events.

4. What services did you take with Alejandra? How did she help you find a professional job in Australia?

I enrolled in a three-months mentoring program called  EVOLVE where I received guidance throughout the entire job search process..

5. Did you implement any strategies and step out of your comfort zone?

Like anything in life, success requires effort. The first thing I did was dedicate time to prepare myself both physically and mentally, setting daily or weekly goals to ensure high-quality job applications.

I also updated my LinkedIn with Alejandra’s help, which was crucial in my job search—I can’t believe I hadn’t done it earlier!

EVOLVE is a comprehensive program, but it requires personal effort and applying everything learned during the mentoring sessions.

Knowing the tools isn't enough—you need to use them, and that’s where personal commitment plays a key role.

Everything depends on you.

For example, I would wake up at 5 AM to do 30 minutes of exercise and meditation. Then, I’d turn on my computer and start applying for jobs that I had researched the day before.

I aimed for at least one quality application per day, tailoring my resume and cover letter to each job—something I learned during the sessions.

After that, I’d have breakfast and get ready for work by 9 AM.

Before the mentoring, I used to submit the same resume for different jobs, but I learned that this approach doesn’t work.

Every application needs to be personalized.

"I learned a lot from Alejandra's team and found the support I needed to achieve my goal of entering the job market as a professional."

6. How long after taking our services did you start receiving calls from companies and recruiters?

My process was actually quite fast—I started receiving calls just a month and a half after beginning the service with Alejandra.

Carolina at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne

7. How was your first interview in Australia? What do you think is the key to a successful interview?

All of my interviews have been via Zoom. In-person interviews have more advantages because you can connect better with your interviewers, project your energy and personality, and use body language to your advantage.

My first interview wasn’t great for those reasons. Additionally, there were three interviewers and a moderator, and I wasn’t well-prepared, which made me very nervous.

However, this experience helped me gain confidence and improve my performance in future interviews.

In my opinion, the key to a successful interview is preparation and researching the role you're applying for.

Talking about yourself and your work experience is important, but what truly matters is providing clear examples of workplace challenges and how you would efficiently solve them.

This was something we covered in detail during the mentoring sessions with Alejandra, where I had access to common interview questions that I was able to prepare in advance.

8. What was the most challenging part of searching for a professional job in Australia?

The language barrier is obviously one of the biggest challenges, but for me, the hardest part was stepping out of my comfort zone and making the decision to start this new chapter in my life.

I had a "well-paying job" where I felt comfortable, but I knew I wanted to work in my profession, so I took action.

Alejandra’s guidance was essential in helping me achieve my goal.

9. What did you discover about yourself or the Australian recruitment process during your job search?

I discovered that I am a very confident person and that additional studies and even non-professional experience, like managing people, add value to your professional profile. I also realised that, even though my English isn't perfect, I can communicate effectively.

You don’t need perfect English to work as a professional. Your knowledge, experience, and soft skills give you a competitive advantage and position you as a strong candidate.

It’s crucial to understand how the job market works—from having an Australian-style resume to knowing how interviews are conducted and the types of questions asked.

Carolina at Docklands, Melbourne

10. How long did your professional job search take after you started the service with Alejandra?

Even though the service lasts for three months, by the second month, I had already found my professional job and received an offer that I decided to accept.

11. Tell us more about your first professional job in Australia.

I am working as a hotel supervisor, specifically focused on the area of "management and leadership." I manage a team and have learned a lot about different programs and the Australian work culture.

I still have the goal of working in the oil industry, but due to the pandemic, I have not been able to relocate to other areas of Australia.

However, this is my first professional job in Australia, where I have learned a lot. I am happy to be active in the professional field and to continue learning.

Update - 2025

Carolina learned how to market herself on paper and effectively communicate her potential with EVOLVE  . After securing her first professional job, she resumed her goal of joining the oil industry, where she is currently working.

12. What 3 tips would you give to professionals who are not currently working in their field to motivate them to seek opportunities abroad?

1. Make the decision and believe that you will achieve it. Having the right mindset and confidence is key to taking the first step toward new opportunities.

2. Set clear priorities. You will need to dedicate quality time to preparing and submitting your applications. Organizing your schedule and focusing on your goal will make a difference.

3. Seek expert guidance if needed. If you feel a bit lost or unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support, like Alejandra, who can help guide you through the process.

   
   

13.  Lastly, would you recommend our Career Coaching services?

Absolutely! I learned a lot from Alejandra's team and found the support I needed to achieve my goal of entering the professional job market. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

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