Are you looking to add travel experience to your resume? Traveling can be a great way to gain new skills, gain valuable insight into different cultures, and even increase your chances of landing that dream job. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of adding travel experience to your resume, and how to make sure you make the most of any experiences you may have abroad. So, if you’re ready to take your resume to the next level, let’s dive in!
Can You Put Travel on Your Resume?
Travel experiences can add a unique dimension to your resume that sets you apart from the rest. By showcasing your travel experience, you can demonstrate to employers that you’ve gained valuable skills such as adaptability, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and an understanding of other cultures — all of which are highly sought after in today’s competitive job market.
But how do you include your travel experience on your resume? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Highlight Your Travel Experience in Your Summary: Your summary should be a concise overview of your experience and qualifications. Consider incorporating a few sentences about your travels, such as “I have a passion for traveling and exploring new cultures” or “I am experienced in navigating different cultures and adapting to new environments.”
- Highlight Unique Skills Gained: Consider highlighting the unique skills you’ve gained from your travels. For example, “I have a deep understanding of different cultures due to my extensive travel experience” or “I am a highly organized self-starter due to my ability to independently plan travel itineraries.”
- Include Any Awards or Recognitions: Did you receive any awards or recognitions on your travels? If so, include them in your resume. It can be a great way to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate the impact of your travel experience.
- Incorporate Any Work or Volunteer Experience: If you’ve worked or volunteered while traveling, include this experience as it’s a great way to demonstrate your ability to take initiative and work with different types of people.
- Include Any Languages You’ve Learned: If you’ve picked up any languages while traveling, consider including them in your resume. This can help you stand out and demonstrate your ability to quickly learn new skills.
Types of Travel Experience to Include on Your Resume
Educational Travel
Educational travel is an invaluable addition to any resume. Not only will it demonstrate your willingness to learn, but it also gives potential employers an insight into your ability to solve problems and think strategically. Whether it’s a semester abroad or a short-term course, any educational travel experience can be an asset when applying for a job.
Volunteering/Non-Profit Work
Nothing speaks louder about your character than volunteering or working for a non-profit organization. The benefit of this type of experience is the transferable skills you will learn, such as working with a team, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Plus, you’ll gain a better understanding of the world and various cultures, which will make you a more informed and empathetic employee.
Work/Internships Abroad
Pursuing a full-time job or internship abroad is a great way to gain global experience and add some serious weight to your resume. Working in a foreign country will give you a better understanding of international business practices and the culture of the area. Plus, it can open doors to future job opportunities, as employers will see that you have the necessary skills to succeed in a global environment.
Adventure/Leisure Travel
The benefits of adventure and leisure travel are often overlooked. While it may not seem to be directly related to your career, it can be just as beneficial when it comes to your resume. Adventure travel shows that you’re willing to take risks and go the extra mile to get the job done. It also demonstrates your ability to easily adjust to new environments and cultures, and it may even give you the opportunity to learn a new language.
Including all of these types of travel experiences on your resume can help you stand out from the crowd and show potential employers that you’re an ambitious and well-rounded individual.
How to Add Travel Experience to Your Resume
To ensure that you highlight your international experience in the best light, follow the tips below.
Incorporate Travel into Your Professional Summary
When crafting your professional summary, make sure to include any international experiences you’ve had. This is a great way to let employers know that you’ve had the opportunity to travel and gain international experience. Try to use strong and specific language to describe what you’ve learned and the skills you’ve developed.
Highlight International Skills Gained
When adding travel experience to your resume, it’s important to highlight the international skills you’ve gained. Was there a language barrier you had to overcome? How did you manage to navigate public transportation in a foreign country? Were you able to build relationships with locals despite the cultural differences? Use specific examples to demonstrate the international skills you’ve developed.
Use Keywords to Describe Your Experiences
When describing your international experience, make sure to use keywords that employers can easily identify. For example, if you’re describing a trip to a country in Europe, use the name of the country, the language spoken, and any other relevant keywords. This will help employers quickly identify the international skills you’ve gained.
Benefits of Including Travel Experience on Your Resume
Here are some of the benefits of including travel experience on your resume:
1. Showcase Your Adaptability and Flexibility:
Traveling requires you to be adaptable and flexible in many different situations. You must learn to navigate new cultures and environments, be comfortable in unfamiliar places, and handle a variety of tasks. By showcasing these abilities on your resume, you demonstrate your ability to adjust to challenging new situations and take on tasks outside of your comfort zone.
2. Demonstrate Your International Perspective:
Traveling gives you the opportunity to experience different cultures, try new foods, and even learn new languages. This gives you a unique global perspective that can be incredibly valuable in the workplace. Showcasing this on your resume will demonstrate to employers that you have a unique understanding of the world and a willingness to take on new challenges.
3. Show Your Initiative and Sense of Adventure:
Traveling also shows employers that you are a self-starter with a sense of adventure. By including this experience on your resume, you demonstrate that you are willing to take risks and grab opportunities when they present themselves. This shows employers that you are an independent problem solver with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Including your travel experience on your resume can be a great way to stand out from the other applicants and show employers that you have the skills and qualities they are looking for. Showcasing your adaptability and flexibility, international perspective, initiative, and sense of adventure will demonstrate your value to potential employers and help you stand out from the competition.
Related Article: Can I Take My Gun on a Road Trip 2022?
Conclusion
Including travel experience on your resume can be very beneficial in helping you stand out from the competition. It can show employers that you are open to new experiences, have a global perspective, and are willing to take risks. Additionally, it can demonstrate to employers that you have a strong work ethic, good communication skills, and a great understanding of different cultures. With the right kind of travel experience, you can make a lasting impression and help enhance your resume significantly.
