BootsnAll Travel Community

So, I've returned from two years of traveling, and have been having a hard time finding a job. I waited about two months before doing anything, which was a mistake I realize now, but I just needed to decompress. I wouldn't say I've worked as hard as I can, but, it's been frustrating to say the least. I've been dealing with many issues, one being what kind of job I want, which is a whole other topic. But my question is what I should do right now?

I am living with my parents, hard at 32 and after traveling solo for two years. I am now thinking that I need ANY job, waitressing, starbucks, etc, not only for money and health insurance, but I really need to get out of the house and be busy, start joining the real world again. My friends think this will "look bad" to go back to that kind of job after being in a career track, but I think its almost worse to be out of work for so long since I've been home. I think having any kind of job at least looks like you have some kind of motivation and drive.
I guess I could always lie and say I returned home later than I actually did, like March instead of December. And I know I don't need to put the job on my resume, but I was asked at an interview (the only one I've had, what I've been doing since I've been home, and they seemed put out by the fact I wasn't "doing anything," thought I tried to put a busy spin on it.
What do you guys think?

Also, has anyone had any luck seeing a career counselor/life coach? What are your opinions on those? I'm just so conflicted right now about work/career issues. I think I've gotten all I can from my friends without making them crazy.
Thanks everyone.

First off, I'm sorry that you're having so many problems finding a job. I'm sure it's something all of us who do long-term traveling fear. So..

1) What sort of work were you doing before? That would help in responding to your post.

2) Maybe you could do some volunteer work. That would at least give you something to put on your resume while you're trying to find a job. A friend of mine volunteered for a mental health advocacy organization after her travels and was eventually able to parley that experience into a job in the mental health field.

3) If you take a lower-level job, just to have employment, you might want to consider what it might lead to in the future. Another friend of mine quit her job, was unemployed for a while, eventually got a part-time job at a bookstore and a few months later worked herself up to assistant manager. (granted she eventually quit that job too...but at least the initial part-time, low paying job did lead to a more professional managerial position)

4) Do you have to work for something else? Is there something you could do that doesn't require working for someone else?

Hope this helps! Keep us posted on your search.

Hey there, we exchange a few emails a couple years ago when I had asked you some questions about Western Australia. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip. I only took one year off and went back to the same company I had been at. I actually got a promotion and moved when I came back, but it took me a long time to get my head back into the job. Or at least as much back into it that it seems it will get.

I think that having the decompression time is absolutely necessary and would recommend getting a job at Starbucks or wherever just to ease back into working. Coming back like I did was tough for me, some of it may have been because of the expectations of being with the company before, but not all of it. Doing that for a couple of months should help give you some perspective on the work/career dilemma. Can't help you on the life coach part.

I am already back into the how long do I have to do this before I quit and take an even longer trip. Good luck!

Thanks guys for such quick responses!

My career path before I went RTW was health insurance for almost 6 years, the last 4 in federal government working for Medicare. The job was mind-numbing at most times, but honestly, the benefits were so good (insurance, vacation, flex time etc.) that now interviewing at private industry positions is a major shock to me. I've now been applying for government jobs, which always take a long time, and usually end up in a black hole somewhere, but it is something I'm used to. But I've also applied to quite a few private and travel industry jobs. I did have one interview, which I actually thought went well so I'm kind of surprised when I didn't hear back. But when they said 2 weeks of vacation, I was so disheartened. I mean, I knew that is the standard for private industry, but for a travel company I was anticipating more. Maybe my poker face wasn't as good as I thought. My old job is on a hiring freeze at the moment, so that is not an option right now.

I have thought of doing some volunteer work and am looking into it, but frankly I really need money. My parents are cool and generous, but I don't even really have spending money, and not having health insurance makes the practical side of me very nervous.

Miner guy, it's good to hear from you again. Where all did you end up going? My trip was really good thanks. I also have itchy feet again, but I'm not sure if now its because I am having a hard time at home that I just want to leave again. Its not an option b/c I am broke however. I've been seriously debating trying to work abroad for a while, but again, my practical side is fighting me. There are just so many things I want to do.

Do you think working at say Starbucks sounds bad in the position I'm in right now? If I were to get an interview I guess. I probably wouldn't put it on my resume.

Hi Emeraldeyes.

Personally I would (and have) in your position take any job you can right now.

In my own experience I've always found it easier to get a job when I was already working no matter what it was. If that makes sense. I also found that it motivated me into looking and applying for jobs that I actually might want or enjoy. The longer you stay unemployed (without being able to explain it - your RTW can show great life experience or so I've found it) the harder it will be.

So basically get a job. Any job, paying or volunteer, its up to you and how much you need money. You never know what doors will open if you throw yourself into 'normal' life again.

Do I think it will look bad if you get a job in Starbucks? No. It will look worse if you stay unemployed for much longer.

All the best.

We're in similar situations, although I've been freelancing, which is normal in my field. You're in Chicago too? We should talk.

Edited to add, just read your about page... you're a little older than me but I also went to UofI and studied abroad. I think we have a lot in common.

It would be perfectly normal not to put Starbucks or whatever on a professional resume when you and they know it is temporary. Let them know that you are there and it that will stop them from thinking you are a bum . Whatever time you spend doing a "right now job" will just help you be better adjusted when you get back to the career. With your previous company on a hiring freeze you may be able to talk to them for a letter of recommendation or something similar without any hard feelings.

As for my trip it was great, I can think of a hundred awesome experiences, but when I look back it also feels incomplete. About 3 months into it my back went haywire. I was in miserable pain 24 hours/day and was using a walker to get around. I finally got to some good doctors, had two hospital stays, went on IV antibiotics for about two months, and then rehab to get my range of motion back. They never actually figured out exactly what it was or what caused it, but at least they got rid of it.

I ended up living with my parents for a lot of this. I left for college in '94 so know what your going through being back at home. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with them, but living with them was getting to me. Plus they were taking care of my dog (now their dog) for me while I was traveling. I did get a few months travel in the US before that (my boundary waters trip was awesome) and ended up going to Australia for 3 weeks and then SE Asia for about 4 months once the back was healed. I loved the experiences over there and wish I could have done it longer.

quote:

It would be perfectly normal not to put Starbucks or whatever on a professional resume when you and they know it is temporary.

I 100% agree with this.