The cover of story: The terminal gate for my flight to Sydney.
The Offer
After submitting around 270 job applications over 3 months and going through 11 interviews with 6 employers, I finally landed an offer from a company in Sydney. From reading posts on Reddit, I understand how difficult it is to receive an offer in the current Australian IT job market, especially as an international graduate with limited experience. I know many of my peers are still struggling with their job search like I did before, so I feel incredibly fortunate at this moment. Interestingly, I had doubts about my performance before the system design interview (which was the final round) and even considered giving up - I’m so glad I didn’t.
One of the biggest lessons from this job-seeking journey is that Australian employers highly value how well your skills and background align with their business needs. That’s how capitalism works - delivering value matters, which requires mastering domain knowledge even as a technical professional. Having moved from the energy industry to the gaming industry, and now to the travel industry, I wish I can to dive deep into this new field and become an indispensable team member.
A Glimpse of Sydney
Due to the 5-day office working policy, I have to move to Sydney within 3 weeks. “I will definitely miss Brisbane,” I knew it when I decided to leave. It was the first city where I lived for more than 2 years outside my hometown, the first city where I made foreign friends, the first city where I met people who would greet strangers with sincere smiles, and the first city where I could wear a T-shirt even in winter. I have the most beautiful and precious memories there, a warm city.
After 90 minutes flight, I arrived at the Sydney Airport. The transportation in Sydney is quite convenient, with a direct train line to the CBD, and several bus stops. You can swipe your visa/master card to take transports.
I took the train to my accommodation. Similar to Brisbane, I found myself living in Chinatown again, but this time it feels more authentically Chinese: almost all pedestrians are Chinese, and English is rarely spoken; drivers tend to honk if you drive slowly; many popular Chinese brands and restaurants stay open late into the night. Everything here reminds me of being in China.
My new landlord is a kind aunt from Shanghai. She introduced me the room I am going to live and my roommate, a Chinese girl who studies IT in University of Sydney. The temperature in Sydney is colder than Brisbane, and usually you feel more freezed than the forcast indicated.
The next day, I decided to check out my commute to the office. The journey took around 40 minutes door-to-door without any transfers needed - just a 5-minute walk from home to the train station, followed by a quick 3-minute walk from the station to the office. What an incredibly convenient commute!
After I arrived, I observed the office through the giant glass wall: ergonomic chair, double rotable monitors (I guess 24 inch), electric lift working desk, and a large monitor hanged on the wall, indicating the system running status. I am so proud that I can work there!
As I sat down on the sofa in the reception hall, a manager who had previously interviewed me recognized me and came out to greet me. I felt a bit nervous since I hadn’t notified anyone about my visit. He was very friendly, inviting me inside and giving me a brief tour of the office. He also asked if I would like to join an internal product meeting in the afternoon, which I gladly accepted. The meeting covered their product’s progress and plans for the second half of 2025. The atmosphere was excellent: everything was presented in an organized and clear manner, with high audience engagement and interaction. I could feel some pressure, though, as I would be joining the newly formed team responsible for implementing the most critical new features.
After the meeting, I decided to have a walk tour. The office is in the heart of Sydney, less than 20 minutes walking distance to Sydney Opera House.
Maybe I stayed in Brisbane for too long, so I was a bit exhausted with the crowded people. Although I just arrived in Sydney, I can immediately feel the difference between the two cities, and understand why more Chinese tend to live here (way more modern city style).
The Ending Words
Everything feels surreal to me as things have changed so dramatically and suddenly. I still vividly remember making the decision to study abroad and preparing for my PTE exams and visa applications. Was I certain that such a major move would change my life? No, but I took the leap anyway - quitting my job and selling my property. After all, meaningful gains always come with risks; there are no free lunches in life.
I’ve now moved from Brisbane to Sydney solely for this job offer, and I’m uncertain whether I’ll successfully pass the probation period or secure a working visa to stay longer. Do I deserve all the support my family has given me? Will I be able to provide them with a better life? While I don’t have clear answers to these questions, I must believe in myself - just as I did when I first decided to come to Australia.
Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen – Xiaomi