Finding Your Dream Job After a Gap Year Travelling

Taking a gap year to travel the world is great fun and enriching, though many people dread the moment when the travels end and they have to return to work or find a new job.

How do you start your job search and get back to work after a gap year travelling around the world? How do you reboot your career after being out of work for an extended period while travelling?

In this guide, we explain how and where to start when looking for the ideal job after a gap year of travel.

gap year travelling work job
While it’s for sure exciting to pack your suitcase or backpack and head to the airport to start travelling the world, getting back to work after your gap year is a bit more daunting. ©Paliparan

How travel can enrich your career and job perspective

Travelling has the power to give you new perspectives. You can figure out exactly what you want to in life during a gap year travelling around the world.

Also, a gap year will broaden your horizons and open your secret powers in many other job options that you never considered before.

The challenge is that you may not know exactly which path to take. When you return, things might be different from where you started previously.

After a year of new experiences, you may be interested in data entry vacancies on Jooble, as this job offers the opportunity to work remotely, so you can continue travelling occasionally without interrupting your work. Or you may switch to on-site proposals and search for an office job in a specified place, or anything else. But the job options don’t end there.

First, you must understand what you actually want to do and then start searching for a job. We’ve put together some effective tips on how to get back into the world of work after a long travel break or gap year.

gap year travelling job work
Whether you want to relax with a cocktail or embark on more active travels, a gap year travelling the world can be highly enriching in many ways. ©Paliparan

How to find a dream job after a gap year travelling: Tips from professionals

Finding your dream job after a gap year travelling or an extended holiday abroad can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We’ve gathered some valuable tips from job search professionals.

1. Update your CV after your holiday

After returning from your trip, reflecting on everything you did while on holiday is worthwhile. Maybe you had a part-time job during your gap year. You may also have had a temporary or remote job while you travelled the world during your gap year. Also, think about the skills that this job gave you. Be sure to include this valuable information on your resume.

Don’t think a gap year isn’t worth describing on your CV. Mention it so that the full picture is revealed to a potential employer. It is best to include the break year rather than just leaving a gap in your CV. Stay honest and emphasise what this year has given you. You may have learnt many valuable skills while trying your hand in a different field.

Work experience gained in a foreign country will be worthy of appreciation. Even if it was a part-time job as a waiter in another country, it can be a great indicator of your knowledge of another language or your willingness to learn new skills or to adept to a different environment.

laptop dream job work gap year travelling
It’s perfectly possible to work remotely during your gap year, or otherwise already start your preparations for trying to find your dream job once you return home. ©Paliparan

2. Don’t just jump at the first job that comes along

Although it may not seem so initially, many opportunities are open to you after a year of travelling. Looking at current job opportunities in London, you will find plenty of options. That said, if you want to try something new, this is the right time you jump in.

At the same time, it’s worth remembering that finding a job is a long process. But you shouldn’t give up on your long-term goal. You don’t have to go straight to the first job that comes along and forget about what you were aiming for. Remember the kind of job you ideally want or the path you wish to embark on in your career after a gap year full of travel.

Many job seekers run into problems with their financial security after a year off. While searching for what to do next, many settle for the first job offer. In doing so, it may be completely different from what you originally expected of it. You don’t want to get stuck in this situation and panic.

oxford street london tyburnia sunny afternoon visit
You’ll find plenty of job opportunities in London or other British cities when you return from your gap year. ©Paliparan

3. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the employment industry

While you’ve been on holiday or travelling the world for a full gap year, trends in your chosen field and the local job market can change dramatically. At first, after completing a year of travelling, this may come as a shock. During your time away, new trends may have emerged, and significant changes and important events may have taken place. As a result, it may feel like your dream career has become even more out of reach.

Fear not and prepare in advance. You can do a bit of reading about key events, hot topics, as well as recent trends and issues in the job market. It’s also worth considering taking relevant training. With courses, you can refresh your skills or learn many new things. Taking a training course after a year off is sure to be viewed favourably by a future employer.

4. Don’t turn down a temporary job after a year of travelling

Despite what we mentioned in point 2, you may still need a temporary job on your path to your dream career. With a temporary job, you can secure yourself financially after a gap year travelling the world. It’s also useful for gaining valuable skills and experience to add to your CV.

A temporary job will look much better than a long job search after a year of travelling. This way, the employer will see that you didn’t sit idle while you looked for your dream job.

Furthermore, if you’re not sure what to do next after a year’s holiday, it’s worth focusing on temporary assignments. Take on jobs that seem interesting to you. This way, you can figure out what direction to take next. Temporary work will give you a broad view of your chosen field of employment. There is no pressure. You can devote yourself to what you enjoy. Temporary jobs can change when you realise this field is not for you.

canary wharf office buildings
Whether you prefer a full-time office job or just want some temporary work once you turn home from your travels abroad, both strategies can work out well to reboot your career after a gap year. ©Paliparan

How employers see a gap year travelling abroad

More often than not, employers take into consideration holidays and travel experience. Some may feel that this long break is a frivolous activity and seem incapable of seeing the added value it brings. At the same time, there will definitely be some employers who recognise the benefits of gaining international experience. To ensure that your year of travelling is not a disadvantage, it is your responsibility to demonstrate useful and applicable skills in the workplace.

We strongly recommend: Demonstrate the skills you have gained from your travels around the world. It will make you stand out from other applicants. At the same time, you should remain honest about your experience.

Avatar photo

Koen

Koen works as a freelance journalist covering south-eastern Europe and is the founding father and editor-in-chief of Paliparan. As a contributor to some major Fleet Street newspapers and some lesser known publications in the Balkans, he travels thousands of miles each year for work as well as on his personal holidays. Whether it is horse riding in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, exploring the backstreets of Bogotá, or sipping a glass of moschofilero in a Greek beachside taverna, Koen loves to immerse himself into the local culture, explore new places and eat and drink himself around the world. You can follow Koen on his travels on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you enjoyed this travel article and found the information provided useful, please consider supporting us. Although we gladly share all information for free at Paliparan.com, a one-time donation is a great way to help out an independent publisher! You can support Paliparan by buying us a coffee for €5, or by making a donation through PayPal. Thank you for your support!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.