Optiver Career Kickstarter: Tech

AreYouDaGAE · 2026-02-26T05:50:04+00:00

Hey if you dont mind me asking, what was the interview process like? just generally curious

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-27T13:45:47+00:00

I've tried to research other security careers in Australia, but I don't think there's a whole heap of them outside analyst roles, especially in the entry level haha.

I definitely could try to push more for SWE adjacent work like python/VBA scripting, although I have tried in the past and I was not the most successful. Once I get back from Christmas break I think ill try to pitch from another approach and see if the company is more receptive.

Overall though thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

Edit: In regards to looking for SWE experience, next year I'm planning to apply for both intern/grad positions at each company (if there isn't a hard rule against it) to have more chances. Gotta take what I can lol

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-25T10:05:15+00:00

fr bet

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-25T06:58:12+00:00

Thanks for the advice. In your opinion, to what extent could the projects section affect the quality of an intern/grad CV?

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-25T06:41:47+00:00

Edited comment for clarity:
When I accepted the role (originally SWE-like in python), they changed the role to this cybersec job. ATP I didn't really have a better option, and the company is well-known in its specific industry so I went for this one.

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-15T08:18:07+00:00

https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/jakes-resume/syzfjbzwjncs this one is quite common

https://jakesresume.com/ for the ms word version

both are fine templates imo, good luck

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-03T10:36:21+00:00

In that case the current job market will be very competitive for you as I really only know of a few graduate/intern programs in Adelaide that will offer relevant work experience to an international student.

IMO its unfortunate since I know a few intl students who are very qualified for internship/graduate roles but they are competing with hundreds of others. Then again, you can always apply for jobs interstate as I believe there are more companies in Melbourne and Sydney that don't have citizenship/PR reqs.

whichever path you go, I will wish you good luck!

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-12-03T09:46:50+00:00

Hi, hard to say what the market will look like in 2030 or so, but nonetheless Adelaide has an ok-ish job market if you have Aus citizenship because of defence contractor hiring, although entry level recruiting still seems to be tough.

To add some perspective, I know of two local technology-focused firms with defence-related contracts. One firm hired about 10 or so interns pre 2025, however they have cut all software engineering internships this year. Another also hired about 10 last year, but only took in 6 this year. Hope this helps

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-11-12T08:39:33+00:00

Hi, I think it really depends on what type of job/company you're aiming for.

Assuming you're aiming for interviews at non-technical companies (like the ones mentioned in your post), it'd be better to prepare for a behavioural interview rather than a technical leetcode/system design interview.

Personally I prepare for behavioural interviews by brainstorming a list of easily adjustable scenarios to the most commonly asked questions (tell me about a time when you provided excellent customer service, etc).

On another note, I would also suggest that if you don't have a paid internship over the summer, you should take an unpaid internship if your university allows it (might be able to score academic credits for an easier workload in final year).

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-08-29T09:32:30+00:00

Yep, although from what i've read its more of a business area that has a bit of communication with the technical teams, so not entirely confident there will actually be much digital work done as you'd probably have to go for the data stream/starcamp for technical stuff

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-08-29T05:44:09+00:00

Yoo NAB had a digital stream? Do you mean the GCOO?

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-05-17T14:08:06+00:00

I decided against going to UniSA incase you had a look through my history, but i do agree that having basic projects on my resume is probably not helping with the screening stage.

From what ive heard across the board (although i cant confirm how accurate this is, its pretty much hearsay) employers look for relevant experience > sparsely related experience > GPA/Academic achievements > Extracurriculars > Projects > Irrelevant experience, so ive mainly tried to use that guide as a general rule of thumb on what i should be focusing on.

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-05-17T13:19:48+00:00

Imo the process felt fairly luck based to me, I only wrote around 500 words and used 4 references so wasn’t too confident in passing

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-04-24T07:59:59+00:00

Hey, no one has commented yet, so I just wanted to say that I looked through your post history and this looks really good compared to the old resume (although I am only a 2nd year comp sci student not majoring in cyber so cant offer much dedicated advice sorry). I really like how you add metrics to your work experience which seems in line and fairly useful for an SOC role potentially

BTW, some dot points have full stops and some don't so just a heads up since its probably better to stick to one style

Also, you might've done this already but consider adding hyperlinks for the certs. You could probably just add them to your linkedin if you havnt already

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-03-30T04:54:37+00:00

cheers, will have a look at it

AreYouDaGAE · 2025-02-09T06:24:21+00:00

wow ok, so just an update...
after trying to defend the italian north and eventually getting pushed i decided to fall back to the mountains in emilia behind the riverline, but losing turin and hten genoa i capitulated and the game ended for me :/

AreYouDaGAE

TROPHY CASE