From Posting to Purpose: How Helena Used PEAP Funding to Reclaim Her Career as a Defence Partner

Being a Defence partner often means learning how to restart — again and again. For many, the career transition that comes with each move can feel overwhelming. But with the right career coaching, $1,500 PEAP funding and support, Defence partners can turn these challenges into powerful opportunities.

That was the case for Helena, a Defence partner of more than 15 years, originally from the UK. She and her family came to Australia as a Lateral Recruit into the Australian Defence Force (ADF). With a career that spanned multiple countries, industries, and roles, she was no stranger to change and took on every challenge / posting in her stride. 

But when she and her family made the move to the Australia Defence Force and committed to staying long term, something shifted. They were ready to build a life in the sunshine — one that included not just stability, but fulfilment. Helena had the misfortune of landing in a location with limited opportunities and, unfortunately, had been taken for granted in a role that was less than ideal — especially when trying to make a fresh start in Australia. (a story a lot of Defence Partners can relate to) She had taken a role she could do, not one she truly wanted. Sound familiar?

She had an awesome background with excellent qualifications, awards for her dedication to the job and craved more than "just a job." She wanted a career with purpose — one that recognised her potential, rewarded it, and allowed her to bring her whole self to the table. She needed career direction, career confidence, and a way to pull her incredibly varied experience into a career that made sense — for her.

And that’s when she found me (Jo Macdonald Careers) — and at first, she absolutely thought the $1,500 PEAP funding I told her about for ADF Defence Partners was a scam. It felt way too good to be true. 😉 (but she trusted me, that this PEAP funding was the real deal and free for her to use for her career development and career confidence)

The turning point: Using PEAP funding with the right support

Helena discovered the Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) — a $1,500 government-funded initiative that ADF Defence partners can access every financial year for career development. With a little convincing that it was the real deal, she took the leap.

We started with career testing and one on one Career Coaching to uncover:

• Her unique strengths
• Her career motivators and needs
• The environments where she thrives

That career coaching, combined with career testing and some powerful conversations, pointed toward a clear direction: Project Coordination or Project Management. Roles that fit her background, her personality, and her goals.

See, when Defence partners move around a lot and their careers take second place to everything else, it's easy to lose confidence in what you bring to the table — especially when others start telling you that you're unreliable. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Defence partners are some of the most reliable, integrity-driven, team-focused, and adaptable people you could ever have on your team. And industries that get this? They gain so much more than they ever expected.

Resume, LinkedIn & a confidence rebuild

From there, we got practical.

📅 We rewrote her resume to highlight her achievements across multiple industries — not just as a timeline of jobs, but as a compelling story of impact.

📅 We revamped her LinkedIn profile so it reflected where she wanted to go — not just where she’d been. That meant using the right keywords, showcasing the right experience, and aligning her network with her next steps.

And maybe most importantly, we built her career confidence back up.

Because here’s the thing: when you’ve had to start over every couple of years, especially as a Defence partner, you sometimes forget just how much value you bring. And going through your achievements from past careers brings forward the projects you smashed, the people you connected with, and the community you created around you. Oh and Helena had forgotten to tell me about the amazing award she had been presented with for her dedication to the defence community.  Kind of a big deal!

Networking - The power of one message

While we were getting Helena’s LinkedIn into shape, we came across a company that I knew had a strong culture and a reputation for looking after their people. They had a role advertised — and I had a contact there.

I sent one simple message:

“Hey Geri, I hope you don’t mind me reaching out, but I saw you’re looking for a Project Coordinator and I’m working with someone who I think would be a fantastic fit. Just to be clear, I’m not a recruiter — I’m a career coach — and Helena would be a great addition to your team. Are you the hiring manager for this role, or would you happen to know who is?”

I briefly introduced Helena and why I thought she’d be a cultural match. That connection passed the message to the actual hiring manager, and things moved fast from there.

📅 First interview — prep, coaching, and an elevator pitch we’d crafted together
📅 Second interview — tailored answers, research-based insight, and confidence
📅 Job offer 🙌

Just like that, Helena had a job lined up in her next posting location — before the orders came through. It was a true example of how career coaching and strategic support can fast-track a successful career transition for a Defence partner. A huge part of her success came down to the interview coaching we did together. We practiced tailored answers using the STAR method, mapped out thoughtful questions to ask the panel, and rehearsed her elevator pitch so she could confidently speak to her experience and value.

We also made sure her closing questions were strong and deliberate — no throwaway lines like "tell me about the culture." Not on my watch...Instead, she asked insightful, well-researched interview questions that allowed her to show she’d done the work and was interviewing them just as much as they were interviewing her. Closing questions aren’t something we go soft on — they’re a powerful final impression. By the time she stepped into the room, Helena wasn’t just ready — she was owning it.

Career Confidence: Settled, Supported, and Starting Fresh

Now Helena is stepping into a role she’s excited about, with a team that values her, in a place where she can finally feel settled. She’s even secured a house with a fruit tree in the backyard — a little dream come true.

When lateral recruits move to Australia, they’re moving with purpose — seeking a lifestyle, a future, and a career that aligns. Understanding the Australian workforce and how to promote your background as a strength, not a setback, is vital to making the move successful.

The $1,500 PEAP funding sets Defence partners up with career support, career coaching, and career confidence. This funding is life-changing — and when you’ve got a qualified career coach, a former Defence partner who truly gets military life and has a background in recruitment, like Jo Macdonald Careers in your corner, career dreams aren’t just possible — they happen.

What can we take from Helena’s story as a Defence Partner and Lateral Recruit?

Helena didn’t “just get lucky.” She made an intentional choice to back herself and finally get her ducks in a row. She:

• Asked for help from a qualified career coach
• Took stock of her achievements and owned them proudly
• Used a career strategy, support, and networking
• Said yes to $1,500 in PEAP funding
• And she stopped settling

And now? She’s living out the career she actually wants — not the one she felt stuck in. That’s the power of backing yourself, claiming the support that’s there, and working with a career coach who sees your potential before you even do.

Defence Partner, ready to write your own success story?

You don’t have to wait until the next posting.
You don’t have to wonder if your experience is “enough.”
You just have to start. Whether you're a Defence partner navigating another career transition or a lateral recruit adjusting to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) environment, career coaching supported by the $1,500 PEAP funding can give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.

Your $1,500 PEAP funding can cover:

✔️ Career Coaching
✔️ Resume & Application Help
✔️ Job Search Strategy
✔️ LinkedIn Optimisation
✔️ Interview Coaching

Let’s make it work for you.

👉 Book your free 15-minute chat with Jo Macdonald Careers here