Travelling the world is one of the most fulfilling experiences any person can have and is often filled with unforgettable memories that are life-changing. And it’s not easy; it can also be one of the most challenging things that you can do, and that includes returning home and getting back to day-to-day life.
When you return from long-term travelling the first thing that you will notice is convincing prospective employers to hire you can be quite tough. However, there are ways to make this less of a hurdle and in this article, you will see exactly how to explain long term travel during a job interview.
Be honest
The first and probably the most important thing that you have to do is be honest. Employees appreciate candidates that can own up to their flaws, so if you went travelling after having a hard couple of years, or if you went travelling on a whim, be honest and tell the interviewer the reasons behind your decisions.
So, when you are in a job interview and the employer gets to that inevitable question, open up and more likely than not, your reasons for travelling will resonate with your prospective employer.
Don’t overdo it
As I mentioned above, honesty is the best policy, and while that can’t be overstated enough, you should still aim to keep your reasons short and sweet and try not to overshare. If you offer a long and drawn out explanation of why you left your last job, you are leaving yourself open to critique.
The more you talk about your last position, the more likely you are to bad mouth your former boss or even highlight some of your past mistakes; avoid this. Keep it short and sweet and most of all remain positive.
Showcase the advantages of your travels
You might think that leaving your job and going away to travel for a year would be looked at by prospective employers in a negative light. However, you need to realize that there are many advantages to travelling the world, and if you showcase them to an employer in the right way, they will be incredibly impressed.
For example, things like volunteering and picking up new languages shows that you are willing to learn new things, and you are passionate about what interests you; this is a massive plus! So remember to showcase the positive aspects of your travels and the benefits of travelling in general.
Keep an eye on the future
The smartest thing that you can do while in a job interview is trying your best to steer the conversation into avenues that highlight your best attributes. And one of the best qualities to possess is having a solid life plan and an eye for the future. Instead of focusing too much on your travels and things that you have done in the past, try instead to focus on the future and how excited you are to do new things and grow.
Explaining long-term travel during an interview can be difficult, and you’d be forgiven for getting a little jaded after being turned down for multiple jobs for the same reason. It can be incredibly stressful, but if you put the tips above into practice, you will find that prospective employers have a lot more time for you, and some will even hire you because you went travelling. Just remember to showcase the positives, play down the negatives, and highlight your skills and you will be in a brand new job before you know it.
Sophia Beirne is a frequent business traveler who shares her experiences and thoughts writing for Stayz, Australia’s #1 holiday rental website.
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