Highlighting Work Travel Experience: Resume Tips

When it comes to including work travel on your resume, it's important to showcase how your experiences and skills relate to the job you're applying for. This means highlighting the benefits of your travel and demonstrating how it's made you a more well-rounded and valuable candidate. For instance, discuss any cross-cultural communication skills you've gained, your adaptability, and your ability to step outside your comfort zone. If you've worked abroad, include this in your `Work Experience` section, detailing your responsibilities and achievements. If your travel was more leisure-focused, place it under an Other Experience or Additional Information section, emphasising any skills you gained that could be applied in a professional context, such as negotiation or budgeting. Ultimately, don't be afraid to include travel on your resume – it can set you apart from other applicants and show your versatility.

Include work travel under Work Experience or Career-Related Experience

If you have completed an internship or practicum as part of your study abroad program, list your accomplishments under the "Work Experience" section of your resume. If you held a part-time job, explain what you did that would translate to the job you are seeking.

Employers often look for skills such as an appreciation for diversity, flexibility, initiative, problem-solving skills, independence, and inquisitiveness – all skills you can obtain through travel.

If you are applying for a job that requires extensive business travel, proficiency in communicating with people of a specific language or culture, by all means, use your travels to make your point.

If you are applying for any sort of job that includes communications, marketing, public relations, writing, or journalism, make sure you include any blogging, photography, or social media work you may have done while abroad.

If you are wondering how to format your work travel experiences on your resume, consider including a "Work Experience", "Internship Experience", or "Career-Related Experience" category – whichever is most suitable.

If you are applying for a job in a fast-paced industry and are anxious about taking a career break, plan to volunteer, freelance, or find a part-time remote position relevant to your career. Any relevant work experience in your field will give you plenty of material to help you explain your gap to your future employer without decreasing your chances of getting hired.

Add language skills

Language skills are incredibly valuable to employers and can open a range of professional opportunities. When applying for jobs, it's important to note any language skills on your resume, which can help you stand out to a hiring manager. Recruiters often look for language skills because they show your ability to communicate with a diverse range of people. They also demonstrate your hard work and dedication to learning something new and challenging.

• Always include language skills: Even if it's not a requirement for the job, language skills are highly valued by employers. If the role involves working with the public or clients, language skills are beneficial to include.
• Determine your language proficiency: Before listing languages on your resume, assess your speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension abilities. Be honest about your proficiency level and don't exaggerate your skills. You can use language level descriptions such as "beginner", "intermediate", "proficient", "fluent", or "native" to indicate your level of ability.
• Choose where to include languages: You can list your language abilities under the "Skills" section, "Education" section, or create a separate "Language Skills" section, especially if you speak several languages or if language proficiency is critical for the role.
• Format your languages section: The format should be cohesive with the rest of your resume. Start with the language you are most proficient in and list them in descending order of proficiency.
• Include specific details: If you have taken language courses, completed study abroad programs, or achieved certifications, include these details in your resume. For example, "Completed a study abroad program in Munich, Germany, and lived with a host family where only German was spoken."
• Provide examples of language use: If you have utilized your language skills in a professional setting, provide clear and descriptive examples on your resume. For instance, "Provided translation services to customers via phone and email."

By following these tips, you can effectively showcase your language skills on your resume and highlight your valuable abilities to potential employers.

List skills gained from travel

Travel can be a great way to gain new skills and experiences that can be highly beneficial in a work context. Here are some examples of skills gained from travel that can be included on a resume:

Cross-Cultural Communication and Sensitivity

If you travelled to a different country, you likely had to interact with people from a different culture and adapt to a new environment. This is a valuable skill, especially if the company you are applying to works with people from that country or values cultural diversity. Being able to demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity can set you apart from other candidates and show that you are open-minded and willing to learn about other cultures.

Language Skills

Proficiency in a foreign language is always an impressive addition to a resume. In today's globalized world, multilingualism is becoming increasingly valuable in the workplace. Even if you are not fluent, mentioning your language skills and indicating your level of speaking, reading, and writing can enhance your application. Language skills demonstrate your ability to learn and your dedication to broadening your horizons.

Negotiation and Budgeting Skills

If you travelled to places where haggling or negotiating prices is common, such as open-air markets, you likely developed negotiation skills. Being able to negotiate and compromise is valuable in many work contexts and demonstrates your ability to adapt and communicate effectively. Additionally, travelling often requires budgeting and financial management, especially if you were travelling on a budget or financing your trip yourself. These financial skills can be highlighted on your resume, especially if you used tools like spreadsheets to track expenses.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

Travelling often comes with unexpected situations, delays, or challenges. By navigating these obstacles, you likely developed adaptability and problem-solving skills. Employers value candidates who can think on their feet, remain calm under pressure, and find creative solutions. Demonstrating your ability to handle unforeseen circumstances and improvise new plans showcases your resilience and quick thinking.

Leadership and Organizational Skills

If you participated in any volunteer work or taught a class during your travels, you may have gained leadership and organizational skills. For example, teaching a group of students requires the ability to organize and structure lessons, manage a classroom, and lead with confidence. These skills are transferable to various work environments and demonstrate your ability to take initiative and manage tasks effectively.

Remember to always tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the position and provide concrete examples or accomplishments whenever possible. By showcasing how your travel experiences have contributed to your skill set, you can make your resume stand out and impress potential employers.

Mention international work experience

International work experience can be a valuable asset to your resume, demonstrating to employers that you possess adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Here are some tips for effectively showcasing your international work experience:

Structure and Placement

Format your international work experience similarly to any other work experience, providing details such as the company name, location, and dates of employment. Include this information in the "Work Experience" section of your resume, typically presented in reverse chronological order.

Highlight Responsibilities and Achievements

Describe your specific responsibilities and notable achievements during your international work stint. Emphasize any instances where you had to adapt to cultural differences, learn new communication styles, or collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This showcases your ability to navigate cross-cultural interactions and demonstrates your flexibility.

Language Proficiency and Cultural Competence

If you gained proficiency in a foreign language during your international work experience, be sure to mention it on your resume. Language skills are highly valued by employers, especially in today's globalized and multicultural business environment. Additionally, highlight any cultural knowledge or understanding of local customs that you acquired. This demonstrates your ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts and respect different belief systems.

Transferable Skills

Identify any transferable skills you developed during your international work experience that can be applied to the job you're applying for. These could include soft skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, resilience, or open-mindedness. Alternatively, you may have gained hard skills like project management, customer service, crisis management, or proficiency in using specific software.

Reference and Testimonials

If you have a positive relationship with a supervisor or colleague from your international work experience, consider including them as a reference on your resume. A reference from someone who can vouch for your skills and accomplishments in an international context can be highly valuable.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively showcase your international work experience on your resume, highlighting the skills and perspectives that make you a strong candidate for the position.

Explain any gaps in your resume

Explaining Gaps in Your Resume

Explaining gaps in your resume can be tricky, but it's important to be honest and frame your time away from work in a positive light. Here are some tips to help you explain any gaps in your resume effectively:

Prepare to Answer Questions

Be ready to address any questions about your employment gaps during interviews. Prepare honest and concise explanations that highlight the positive aspects of your time away from work. This will help form a good impression on recruiters and hiring managers.

Briefly Explain in Your Resume

You can briefly mention the reason for the gap in your resume, especially if it was for a meaningful reason such as volunteering, personal development, or gaining new skills. For example, you could state, "Took a career break to volunteer and gain new experiences."

Discuss Valuable Skills Gained

Focus on any valuable skills or experiences you acquired during your time away from work. This could include language skills, cross-cultural communication, adaptability, or specific technical skills. These skills can be highlighted in your resume and discussed further during interviews.

Use a Functional Resume Format

Consider using a functional resume format, which emphasizes skills and achievements over work history. This can help minimize the appearance of employment gaps. Include sections such as a career summary statement and key accomplishments to make your strengths the primary focus.

List Longer Gaps as Their Own Job

If you have longer employment gaps, such as a gap of one year or more, include them in your experience section as if they were a job. For example, "Full-time parent, Atlanta, GA, 2020-2021." Keep the description brief but mention any relevant skills or experiences gained during this time.

Be Strategic with Dates

For smaller gaps between jobs, you can disguise the length of the gap by omitting the months and only listing the years of employment. For example, "2018-2020" instead of "June 2018 - March 2020." However, be prepared to explain any gaps during interviews, as they may still come up.

Remember, the key is to focus on the positives and show how you've grown or gained valuable skills during your time away from work. This will help employers see your employment gaps in a more favorable light and increase your chances of securing the job you want.

Frequently asked questions