I have taken qualifications to be a travel agent, but now employees are saying that i dont have enough experience, how do i get experience if no-one wants to give me a break?
2006-10-24 22:15:42 · 23 answers · asked by lea h 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
With difficulty. You could try temping.
2006-10-24 22:17:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi :-) ! Well, it is the same for me and temping works... although I would also like to find a job in my domain :o) . There is a lot to do in your CV and, especially, your cover letter.
If you can convince your employers that you are really interested in the job and have gained helpful personal experience in your daily life around people from different backgrounds, that might be regarded as close to equal to job experience. You can have experience as a travel agent yet never have travelled or know anything about the cultures of certain countries. That is the way I try it. At least, they will give you a chance for an interview then hopefully. Maybe also try to participate at a travel forum online where you can contribute articles and such. It should be quite renowned though, I suppose. Or maybe build a website or blog yourself?
Good luck :-) !
2006-10-25 05:32:19 · answer #2 · answered by smashinglin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hiya!
Well let me start by saying i am a qualified tavel agent too without a travel job! The problem with these travel agency jobs now is that they are all done online so you only get in on experince, not personality or common sense anymore!
The thing that i have been doing is applying online as this is all i get told to do in the shops i go into. Try these sites:
www.firstchoice4jobs.com
www.thomascooks.co.uk - go to the bottom of the page and click jobs
www.thomson.co.uk
www.mytravelcareers.co.uk
As i say i passed my exams a year ago and after a years searching for a travel job im looking for office work now because i cant afford to wait for the travel companies! I wish you the best of luck!
2006-10-25 06:40:51 · answer #3 · answered by louise198504@btinternet.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to be able to do two things to work in a travel agents - talk knowingly about travel and know how to do a hard sell.
My friend was in the same position as you, she spent two years travelling. She worked as a nanny in America, then became a holiday rep in Ibiza. She also spent some time being a chalet girl in a ski resort. When she came back the travel agents jumped at her!
If you can't travel you need to get your selling skills up to scratch, so take any retail job and keep applying to travel agents!
2006-10-25 05:27:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One way of doing this, is if you have the qualification, if you can do the research, is to set up on your own. These big companies charge a lot extra in overheads. My mum has just done exactly that, and she is just starting to set up on her own, and because she charges less than all the big companies, and is still making her own money, shes doing quite well with it too!
Its all about advertising, if you think you can get enough advertising, might need to pay for some of that first, but its a good step!
2006-10-25 05:19:29 · answer #5 · answered by Resolution 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it's difficult and it's really off-putting, but keep trying.
Emphasise the fact that you have the relevant qualifications and that you you are really enthusiastic.
You could: Try contacting some of the smaller (or independent) companies to see if they would let you work for them for free as on a work experience programme.
2006-10-25 05:26:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your lucky! It's funny how most people still live in a stone age. People forget that there's such a thing as the INTERNET. You don't need a job or experience these days. There's so many ways to make money online. Surveys, blogging, and so on. My favorite one is Felix Fortuna. They payed me more than I ever made in my life for posting messages on myspace. Check them out, it could work for you too.
2006-10-25 05:21:35 · answer #7 · answered by Lukas V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lie (well exagerate a bit at first anyway). Had the same problem myself. Many employers should negotiate with you anyway and reduce your salary to suit your lack of experience, but my advice to you would be to stick to your expectations (you're providing them with an asset) and just lie a little in order to get that first job which gives you the experience. You can then move on easier from there.
2006-10-25 05:19:31 · answer #8 · answered by Charlie Brigante 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you do some voluntary work at a local travel agent to get some experience. You could also do some work as a volunteer for your local area eg. town guide, the local tourist information office should be able to help.
2006-10-25 05:21:19 · answer #9 · answered by zjshollis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to enroll into a trade school just for Travel Agents. You will need Customer Service Skills, Computer Skills. Be able to multi-task.
2006-10-25 11:29:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You try and get a Saturday job or even offer to help out without pay to start with. Even take on a junior level to start with - remember to be at the bottom the only way is up!
2006-10-25 06:04:45 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋