Chances are if you love to travel, you are not doing it to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. However, that is precisely what you are doing when you decide to broaden your horizons and travel the world.
A study by Hostel World Group revealed that more than 80% of employers say that traveling makes job candidates more employable.
Furthermore, it showed that 46% of people who traveled themselves made job connections while abroad.
However, this might not be true if you go on a clubbing vacation to Prague, you can experience a fun and life-enriching traveling experience that is also beneficial to your future; you just need to understand how.
Planning a trip takes organizational skills
If you are serious about traveling, and not merely wanting a week away in the sun, then you need to carry out a lot of planning and preparation.
For example, how are you going to get to your destination, and where are you going to stay? A rented RV from Cruise America is a good option as this offers both means of transportation and accommodation. Plus, it shows employers that you are independent and can adapt to your surroundings.
Organizational skills are also very sought-after in the workplace. Showing a potential employer that you have hands-on experience in organizing a whole trip on your own, will make you one step ahead of other potential candidates.
Undertaking valuable work experience
Whether you decide to embark on a volunteering trip or find work in a nearby restaurant while you are traveling to make some extra cash, the skills you will learn are invaluable to an employer.
First, it takes bravery to work abroad; to find the work, perhaps deal with a language barrier, and communicate with a totally different culture. You need to be confident, independent, and open-minded, as well as have the skills to carry out the job.
Learning how to problem solve
Any seasoned traveler knows all trips come with their own set of issues; even if you think you have planned for every eventuality, chances are that something unexpected will happen.
Your car breaks down. You lose your luggage. The hotel that you booked weeks ago doesn’t have a record of your reservation. Whatever the problem, you will need to think fast and think smart.
This type of critical thinking is vital for most work environments. It shows that you can remain calm under pressure and deal with whatever is thrown your way.
Being Bi-Lingual is a Plus for Potential Employers
True, you may not need to be fluent in another language to do the job that you want effectively, but it certainly will not do you any harm and could help you stand out from other similarly qualified candidates.
Even the fact that you were willing to try to learn the language of the country that you traveled to will show potential employers that you were keen to immerse yourself in their culture and that you are willing and able to learn new skills.
Why not consider teaching English as a foreign language when you travel? Doing this can help you earn some extra money as well as offer an opportunity to learn the language.
Broadening your network
One of the best elements of traveling is meeting new people, like other travelers or locals.
Engaging with fellow travelers allows you to learn about their lives, their backgrounds, and their traveling experience.
Whereas getting to know the locals can teach you how to be more open-minded, give you a real insight into another culture, and offer a different perspective on your own life.
You should always try and keep in touch with people that you meet while traveling as you never know when they might be able to help you (and vice versa) with a future career opportunity.
Potential Employers Love Creative Candidates
Traveling is the ideal time to let your creative juices flow. Whether that be by writing a travel blog or indulging in your love for photography.
Not only will this help you document your travels and create long-lasting memories, but it also provides you with a way to show a potential employer how creative you are – an attribute that is very in demand in today’s workplace.
I would love to be able to use my travel experiences on my resume, but never thought of doing that before. Thanks for the insight!
Adding travel experience to your resume is a great idea especially if other areas are a little lacking
I would love to go traveling in an RV. There are so many exciting places to visit and so many people to meet. I really enjoyed this great article. Thank you so much for sharing. God Bless
It would be a neat experience. I think when we are older we will try to visit every state.