Travelling After Uni

Taking a year off after finishing university is an option many graduates take before entering the workforce. Whether you use your travels to volunteer, gain work experience abroad or cure your case for wanderlust, there are many benefits to travelling that can enhance your employability once you decide to start applying for jobs. This blog will help you identify skills and strengths you may have gained during your travels that you can add to your CV and mention during an interview.

✈Planning — Travelling is a great way to enhance your ability to plan ahead, manage your time wisely and remain punctual. You have to be on time for flights, trains and tours, and this skill translates to the workplace as well. It also shows your ability to organise information and remain prepared despite having a hectic schedule.

✈Initiative — Taking on new challenges and working independently are great attributes to bring into the workplace. You can improve these skills during your travels as well. Employers want to see someone who is responsible and has the drive to accomplish tasks, and going abroad is a fantastic way to showcase these characteristics.

✈Communicating — Communication skills are imperative when travelling in a foreign country, and you can use your experiences to enhance your employability as well. Having strong interpersonal skills and being able to connect with strangers will go a long way in a career. Communicating during one’s travels will also provide you with cultural awareness, foreign language skills and is a very desirable trait. You also improve your chance of gaining international references during your travels, which employers find impressive.

✈Adaptability— New experiences provide you with a chance to leave your comfort zone and improve your problem solving skills. In an interview, you can use your experiences adapting to new situations abroad to show you are equipped to get things done under pressure. Not to mention, having adaptability skills can enhance your strengths as a leader and improve your self-confidence when decisions need to be made.

Travelling has many, many benefits that can benefit you during a career. Understanding how to apply your skills is very important, and providing real-life experience is imperative in an interview situation. Taking the time to have answers prepared to show how you have improved your skills during your travels will do nothing but benefit you when you are ready to begin your career!