When I quit my job and moved to Europe to travel the world, my biggest fear (and most people’s biggest question) was, “But how will you explain a year gap on your resume when you come back and want to apply for jobs?” My response: global and professional travel experience.

If You Read Only One Thing In This Entire Post, Read This:

My year of traveling and living abroad made me stand out among other candidates and was what eventually landed me my job.

Let me explain.

Yes, I was concerned that a year of playing around the world would hurt me when (if?) I came back. No, I had no idea how to explain this to future employers. Yes, conversations about planning for my future left me in tears often. No, I didn’t let it stop me.

Be in the Present and Worry About Now, Not the Millions of Possibilities of the Future

Words are a great thing. You can always twist your travel experiences to meet your current needs. If you want to get up and go with no return date, make it happen. Figure out how to shape your experiences later.

If you need to fill in gaps on a resume, traveling is better than sitting at home on your couch. It looks good and can help you get even better jobs. You will gain worldly skills, learn new things in real life (which is more likely to stick in your mind than reading something in a book), and network with a whole world of people.

Here’s My Recommendation to Travel In a Resume-Worthy Way

If you plan to take an extended amount of time off to travel, I suggest doing more than just “touristing”. Find a job, volunteer, rent a long term house, whatever you can do to get involved in a local culture and become more than just a visitor.

I got a job with the Spanish government teaching English. Obviously, if you’ve read any of my descriptions, old blog posts, or have followed me along my journey, you know this. If not, feel free to read about my experiences in my earlier posts, like How I Decided To Move To Spain or Memories On My Last Day As An Auxiliar. (Try not to judge my early posts – I was learning how to get my thoughts across on an online platform.)

Immersing myself in local Spanish culture forced me to learn and speak Spanish. It gave me an insider’s view of local traditions and customs that most other people only read about, or hear about and just don’t get. I actually got to see the inside workings of local schools, and came out very impressed and excited to share new ideas. It also helped me better understand differences and stop being afraid of what I don’t know.

These unique experiences all look very desirable to future employers who are interviewing hundreds of cookie cutter candidates. They also show that you are independent, daring, and you’re not afraid to take risks – all qualities an employer is probably looking for in a candidate.

(Not to mention having a home base somewhere in the world that’s not your home makes traveling so much easier when it comes to packing.)

Other Ways to Make Your Mark on the World

I obviously had to plan in advance to work in the Spanish schools but if planning isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other things you can do to come out of a long travel experience looking like a champ.

Artists could take some creative photographs or videos and sell them to a magazine or the screensavers on the Amazon Firestick. Writers, maybe this is where you start your first book (or blog!) Singers and musicians could try getting a few gigs abroad. International work experience in most fields makes you look super successful.

With any skill you have, you have the power to change the world a little bit. Make your mark. Leave your footsteps on the world and make it known that they are yours. Leave places better than you found them. Don’t be afraid to make a change and brag about it. That’s really what a resume is, anyway, bragging about your accomplishments. Make travel an accomplishment that you do, not something that just carries you along.

Think Outside the Box

The world is changing. What used to be the norm is now declining. Less people are working in offices, more people are being creative in ways to make money. Traveling can actually BE a job! Blogging can make you more money than corporate offices. Or if you don’t have the self-discipline to be your own boss, be an independent contractor and write for other people.

People are curious about each other. People want to know what else is out there and what they could be doing. They want to follow your journey while they live their own. Sell your story to a magazine. Provide insights to others and find an outlet to get them heard. Inspire someone to move abroad, travel more, or take that first solo step into the world.

I’ve written for magazines like International Living Magazine, Global Living Magazine, Beyond Travel Magazine, and Global Travel Magazine, and been featured on social media pages for the Travel Channel and Student Universe. This type of work not only is advertising for yourself, but looks great on a resume.

How Will You Make Travel Experience Look Good on a Resume?

So can you really turn travel experience into a marketable skill to put on a resume? YES!

I have done it and proven successful with it. And contrary to what you may believe, travel actually turns you into a more desirable candidate with worldly skills and sets you apart from everyone else. As long as you word it right and are prepared to talk about it in a professional way, don’t leave any long term travel or cultural immersion off your resume!

Have you or anyone you know gotten a job because of travel? Do you have other ideas for how to make travel look good on a resume? Would you hire someone who had a global skill set on their resume? Let’s have a discussion in the comment section!

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P.S. You might also enjoy How to Balance Work and Travel and 3 Ways to Stay Connected While Traveling