Since graduating from University in 2008 with a degree in Tourism Management, finding work has been very fustrating. On a daily basis I am sending CV's off, I hardly get any replies or I get replies saying that I have no experience.
I am studying Galileo, however, that has not really helped, I mention in my CV that I have studied it but again it does not really help.
I find it such a shame that I have a knowledge on a lot of destinations and have a passion for tourism, yet I am failing at every hurdle. I've tried talking to people at the last WTM, they all seemed willing to help but getting replies from them is another story!
It really interests me how there is around 1.5 million people employed in the industry, yet I am a minority who can't seem to get my foot in the door. I am now thinking of not finding work in tourism because of all these problems.
Hi dave86,
Sadly, your story seems to be becoming a common theme in this forum. I don't know if you've read the posts from paisleypaul, who had a similar experience but who had experience! In the end, he did get a job, so hang on in there! Keep us updated on how you are getting on. Whereabouts are you based?
Best of luck,
Emily
its just ridiculous! At this rate I'll be working in a dead end bar job that I am just not happy with. I blame this country, I have a german friend who did the exact course as me as she is now in a manager role. I can't believe how naive I've been thinking I'd get a job after university.
Dave, It is also a sign of the times. When we advertised our lead in position we received over 6 manger/degree level applications with experience. My wife who works in a different industry is looking for work paying 50% of what she used to get. After 3 interviews this month she has had no offers as people who are more experenced and quilified have taken the job (including in one case a manager that was above her in a pervious company). It is so hard to find any work at the moment.
I asked Twitter followers for a bit of advice... @grayum_ian (based in Oz) came back with:
"uni does not matter, have to start at bottom. People in our call centre have full uni degrees but know that you have to put in the time"http://twitter.com/Grayum_ian/status/8292633128
...which is probably not much of a morale boost. But look at Manny Fontenla-Novoa at Thomas Cook - he went from a starter's job in the printing department to being one of the most visible and popular bosses in the industry...
Best of luck, and I'll post again if anyone else gets back to me with tips.
Nathan Midgley Web editor, Travel Weekly
Thanks for all the advice so far :)
@Dave68 - I have been made redundant from my Travel Consultant job from one of the leading independant agents in October 2009. It just goes to show that even the best can't survive without making a few impromptu changes! I've been finiding it really difficult to get a job but I am just waiting to hear from one agency who I had an interview with in November! So im really anxious, but in the mean time I've uploaded my CV onto Traveljobsearch who send me weekly emails and it really does work, after having my cv on there after a week I'd had two calls. But they have so many diverse travel jobs on their, so take a peek, and also keep checking the jobs section on Travel Weekly that always helps!
Good luck - I know EXACTLY how you are feeling.
Dave,
Thought I would try and offer some advise from a company owner perspective.
This is one of the best times to recruit if a company can afford to expand:
-Companies can take the cream of the crop
-Companies can neogeoiate economic remuneration packages
-Companies expect hard work and flexibility
For you this means you need to make yourself stand out in a very competive labour market. E.g. Why not offer a potential employers 1 month free trial of your skills? Alternatively if you can afford to offer yourself to the voluntary sector or see if there is Spring/Summer work as a rep in the sector your interested in. This will help increase your appeal and maybe get a foot in the door.
You will always have to think of better ways to promote yourself, so perservere and something will come off in one off the best sectors to work in.
Hope this helps to show the other side of the coin, good luck in your search.
It is not just new starters who are finding it hard to get a job.
I have been in the industry 14 years and just like yourself am sending cv's out on a daily basis. However the most annoying thing to me is people who either won't or cannot be bothered to come back to me.
One recruitment agency I am still waiting for a callback despite calling them 5 times since the middle of december even to talk to someone. Another agency asked me to call them which I did and 3 times the person who asked me to call put me off saying "oh sorry going into a meeting".
Finally a job I have applied for won't even tell me whether I have been succesful or not - just refusing to take calls.
I can take the rejection if I am not succesful but please just be honest with people - even a courtesy e-mail to say thank you for your application, however on this occasion you have not been succesful. For your feedback this is why ................................................
I feel your pain! DO NOT USE C&M Recruitment, they are really fustrating! Talking to them on the phone was just pointless and they send you a rejection email saying things that you are not a UK national as one of the criteria, it is just ridiculous.
Maybe it is hit and miss then as C&M are the only ones who are actually trying to do anything for me.
I am registered with them all - Progressive Personnel (one e-mail and no actual call back), Blue Strawberry Recruitment (asked me to call and then have put me off ever since), C&M (trying to help me), Travel Trade Recruitment (trying to help me), AA Appointments (limited assistance).
They are the main ones off the top of my head but Im getting to the point where just like you I am thinking of coming out of travel completely which is sad as it has been my life since I left University. Is the industry really that bad where someone with 14 yrs experience cannot find a job and there is a complete lack of courtesy and manners.
Hi Dave,
I can imagine it's quite frustrating. The travel industry is changing a lot at the moment and finding those companies with job opportunities can be tough. I am one of the directors at www.holidaysplease.co.uk and we are recruiting at the moment. We are a 50 strong long haul, internet travel agency. We grew from nothing 6 years ago and sales were up 60% last year. We currently have these jobs available:-
1) Office based sales staff in Birmingham - min wage guarantee with on target earnings of around £20k-£25k
2) Self employed, commission only home based sales roles
3) Online marketing apprentice with min wage guarantee. Salary to grow as experience is gained
4) Freelance travel writer - rates to be negotiated.
If any of these roles might be of interest to you (or anyone reading this post!) then please send your details to my e mail address which is simply charles@ and then holidaysplease.co.uk (I don't like to list my e mail address in full as those pesky spammers have online bots that can harvest e mail addresses from websites automatically).
Good luck in whatever you decide to do!
Thanks
Charles
It's meant to be one of the world's most employed industries (supposedly) but it does not seem like it does it? I feel like pulling the plug myself, it seems even studying the industry at university was a complete waste of time.
If you got a 2:1 or above you can apply for the Tui Travel Grad scheme...see below...if I'd tried a bit harder at uni that's what I'd be doing!! Good luck, it's a tough world out there!!
Based at our Head Office in Luton (although this may vary depending on assignments)
TUI UK & Ireland, part of TUI Travel PLC, is pleased to announce the launch of a new and exciting Graduate Leadership Programme in October 2010. This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading international leisure travel group which operates in approximately 180 countries worldwide, offering a portfolio of more than 200 leading brands to over 30 million holidaymakers each year. But it isn't just customers who trust us to provide them with unforgettable experiences; our employees do too. So when you join the team as a Graduate Trainee you can be confident it's the start of an incredible journey.
www.tuitraveljobs.co.uk
Unfortunately it is a difficult time for people searching for jobs in travel especially with the current econimic climate. At New Frontiers, we are registering between 500 to 1000 Cv's per week.
Send me your Cv and i will contact you to discuss your options. if we can't help you, i will point you in the right direction and make sure that your Cv is as strong as it can be.
Email me at: jose@newfrontiers.co.uk
All the best
Jose
New Frontiers
i've been looking for travel working since 2008, ive got over 5 years travel experience, did get a job at barrhead travel for 2 months recently and was paid off. never really had much help from anyone struggled big time, always getting told there's people there to help when you need them they runaway from you. since june 2008 Ive had 2 months work been unemployed ever since.
sometimes its not you cant get a job, sometimes you could be the best at that job but if your face doesnt fit or you come from a certain part of uk or city it sometimes unfortunately goes against you. yes times are hard but blaming everything on one thing isnt true the econmy is an major factor.
I think everything is going against me, getting experience is the hardest thing, I've even offered to work for free just to get experience, but again know one wants to take me on or they can't do it for what ever reason. The same story happens yet again. It's sickening to think that someone with 5 years experience has been treated like this. Proofs in the pudding, the industry is a joke.
Just by way of interest where are you based?
I have created many websites, including for cheap cruises, cruise deals and a new one attacking cruise holidays.
I assume Essex/London from TUI thread?
I live near Southend-on-sea.
I have been lurking on this forum for a while and have decided now is the time to come out.
I am surprised no one else has advised this 'unfortunate' individual that the world does not owe them a living! It took me a good while to land a decent job after graduation, but I got there after a lot of persistence.
I didn't get there by suggesting this industry is a joke or by claiming the country is to blame! Sorry but that is ridiculous and to be quite honest I am not surprised you are struggling with such a negatiove attitude.
My advice is to get positive and stop blaming. Be creative, look at starting something yourself, there are opportunities out there, you just have to think outside the box rather than firing off countless CVs.
So if 1 advertised 100 jobs, on here!! do you think 1 would get that many responses?
Trust 1 can be PM'd..LOL