14 months and six jobs later, I think I’ve figured out how this whole work-while-you-travel thing is supposed to pan out.
I’ve been moving around, jumping countries and working as a traveling bartender to support my travel habit. Low bank accounts can be a stressful thing when traveling, and holding a temporary travel job seems to be the best way to replenish them (until I find a rich divorcee to marry). I’m still convinced this whole “working” thing is a crock, but until I can prove it, I’m doing this.
It’s easy to get a bartending job when you’re traveling. If you’re going to be staying in a city or town for a little while, hospitality gigs are definitely the way to go.
Not only does it bring money in, but the associated perks can make it even more worthwhile: free food and drink often go hand-in-hand when working in bars so you’ll save on groceries and nights out.
That being said, there is no scientific formula on how to get a bartending job while traveling. But I can tell you that I’ve spent a long enough time looking for work and I’ve tried more than a few attack methods. Some might be a bit unconventional, but they do deliver. If you’re looking for work during your travels, here’s what I’d recommend.
Having lunch in Queenstown today, I saw a kid rock up to the bar in a ski jacket, baggy pants and a beanie and popped his CV to the first person he saw. Didn’t say a thing and walked right back out. Perfect example of someone who needs to read this post! Not easy going finding work in Queenstown this time of year.
Great tips. I’ve spent many a day canvassing shops, bars in restaurants with CVs – from Edinburgh, to Galway to Istanbul to Auckland – and it’s never an easy task. It’s often the small things, the personal connections that somehow strike up in that brief conversation that land you the job.
That. And good, wholesome luck.
So true. I used to take CV’s from people who would walk right out afterwards. Of course, I never told them I’d be willing to get the manager for them. If they wanted to get to the same place I was, they were going to have to work at least a little bit for it!
Luck is definitely part of it, and perhaps I should have included that! Even if you do everything right, it doesn’t mean it’s going to work!
Right time, right place.
Ah the life of the hustler. Well said. It is about going out there, and pounding the pavement. I had to follow many leads to land a timeshares sales job.
https://aroundtheworldin80jobs.com/how-to-find-a-timeshares-job/
You gotta have some chops and thick skin for some of the jobs you find. If you want something more consistent on the road, might try something more locationless, like copy editing. https://aroundtheworldin80jobs.com/location-independent-jobs-copy-editing-biz-is-a-boomin/ Although, true be told, that can be a pain in the ass too.
Either way, it is all hustle.
Cheers Jeremy.
Turner
You said it, Turner! I’ve seen a lot of travelers give up and go home because they just weren’t willing to put in the extra effort. You have to be determined and approach your employment situation as life or death. Sometimes, it almost is.
the lying part is spot on, just spent the weekend telling people the same thing haha
Haha my entire CV was a complete lie up until I got my first job at a bar. Then, as I got new jobs, I kept bumping the old ones off until my CV was entirely truthful!