How to Make a Resumé for a Travel Job

Advice on what employers of travel jobs might look for

This information is most helpful for those who are trying to get a job in the travel industry or a job that requires travel. One of the main things we're striving for on this site is the delicate balances inherent to a life of international travel and a professional life. Think Matt Helm but with hammocks and the occasional tiramisu.

Its about using your previous travel experience or transferrable skills when applying for a travel job. While I receive plenty of bad resumés in my email each month, I suppose it' time to address how to make them better. As well, this information also goes hand in hand with making your resumé after a sabbatical or Gap Year abroad.

There are plenty of jobs out there that require travel that have a high turnover and are regularly looking for people to fill the gaps. The first step is to target the travel jobs abroad that you want to apply for then get to work creating a specific resumé for that industry.

The Resumé Reflects the Job

Do research on the travel job you want and make sure the resumé matches up with the specific skills that they are seeking. Here are a few examples of travel jobs and skills they require.

Flight Attendant - You have to be able to stand for long periods of time. Have critical thinking skills under high stress situations. A background in hospitality or working with often demanding customers is helpful. Not mind being away from home for long periods of time. Able to do basic first aid and be OK with learning basic safety information.

Cruise ship employee - Depending on the specific job you are going for this can be very different. A few things that they always require is a calm person under stressful situations. Able to be away from home for long periods of time. Able to do basic first aid and be OK with learning basic safety information. Must be able to travel freely to various countries.

Work in Antarctica - Be able to live in a very remote place for a long period of time. Enjoy cold weather. Able to work within a team. Romantic attraction to penguins won't hurt.

Teach English in another country - Be able to work independently and speak in front of groups of people. Able to be away from home for long periods of time. Able to come up with fun and creative lesson plans.

Look at the things these jobs all have in common: ability to be away from home for long periods of time and dealing with high stress situations. This two factors are why turnover is so high in many travel jobs. Any travel job you have will likely have these same aspects to its daily grind, so address your ability to work in these environments through past experiences.

Address previous travels in your cover letter

You cover letter should be short and to the point. It should grab their attention without being obnoxious. It's here you can mention previous travels and how they affected your decision to seek the job you are currently applying to.

This is even more important if the job to which you are applying does work in specific countries or regions or with a specific ethnicity.

The extra things employers should know

Make your potential employer aware of your keenness to be away from home for prolonged periods of time. You don't mind being a road warrior.

Up to date Passport or other travel documents. If they need to hire someone who leaves tomorrow, then you better be up to date. Do you have multiple passports? That could help as well, depending on where they work.

An ability to get around in places that speak another language. This skill lets an employer know that you will be OK if things don't always go as planned while working abroad.

Resumé cover letter is a one, two, punch

If you convey in your resumé and cover letter that you can handle the rigors of life on the road and stress that comes along with it, then you are a shoe in for an interview. From here you have to use equal parts past experience, education and charm to get you hired.

Remember to be smart, but not too smart. Be funny, but not too funny. And don't eat hot dogs before the interview.

Disclaimer: As I said before, I am not an expert, and for that very reason I do not want anyone to send me their resumé. I will just post your crappy resumé online and make fun of it.

Good Luck out there!

About the Author
Mike has been working and traveling abroad since 2005. Recent trips include 12 months in Australia, a month in China and another in Europe followed by a six week USA road trip. Mike isn't rich, just resourceful in finding work abroad. In additon to providing free information on working abroad, and travel photography for sale online, Mike is also available for speaking engagements on the benefits of world travel.

The world is too amazing not to share. Contact Mike