If you are someone who has extensive experience in business travel as part of your job, then you may be wondering how best to showcase this on your resume. Including business travel on your resume can help demonstrate your ability to adapt to different situations and work in diverse settings. In this article, we will cover some tips and tricks for how to effectively include business travel on your resume.
Highlighting Business Travel Experience in Your Resume
When you’re applying for a job, especially in today’s global economy, employers are looking for candidates who are not only qualified but also have an understanding of different cultures and ways of doing business. One way to demonstrate this is to showcase your business travel experience on your resume.
Emphasize the Purpose of the Trip
When listing your business trips on your resume, it’s important to emphasize the purpose of the trip and what you accomplished while on the road. For example, if you attended a conference, mention the topics covered and any key insights gained.
Quantify Your Accomplishments
Quantifying your accomplishments is key to demonstrating the value you bring to a company. For example, if you traveled to a new market and helped the company secure new business, make sure to mention the revenue generated or the number of new clients acquired.
Highlight Your Adaptability
Traveling for business requires a certain level of adaptability and flexibility. Employers value candidates who can operate outside of their comfort zone and navigate unfamiliar environments. Be sure to highlight any instances where you had to overcome cultural or language barriers while on a business trip.
Organizing Your Travel Experience on Your Resume
When it comes to organizing your business travel experience on your resume, there are a few different approaches you can take.
It is important to emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of business trips on your resume, as well as highlighting your adaptability to unfamiliar environments. There are different ways of organizing your travel experience on your resume, including creating a separate section or integrating it within relevant job descriptions. Employers may have concerns about time away from the office, burnout, and travel costs, so it’s important to address these concerns by emphasizing the value you brought back to the company, your time management skills, and any cost-saving measures implemented while traveling.
Create a Separate Section
If you’ve traveled extensively for business, consider creating a separate section on your resume dedicated to your travel experience. This can include a list of countries visited, dates of travel, and a brief description of the purpose of each trip.
Include Travel Experience Within Relevant Job Descriptions
Alternatively, you can integrate your travel experience within the relevant job descriptions on your resume. For example, if you worked as a sales rep and traveled frequently to meet with clients, mention this within the job description.
Use Action-Oriented Language
When describing your travel experience on your resume, use action-oriented language to emphasize your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “I traveled to China for a business trip,” say “I successfully negotiated a new partnership with a Chinese supplier during a week-long business trip to Beijing.”
Addressing Potential Concerns
While business travel can be an asset to your resume, there are also potential concerns that employers may have. Here are some tips for addressing these concerns:
Addressing Time Away from the Office
If you’ve traveled extensively for business, you may be concerned that employers will see this as time away from the office. To address this, emphasize the value you brought back to the company as a result of your travel.
Addressing Burnout
Traveling for business can be exhausting, and some employers may be concerned that you’ll experience burnout. To address this concern, emphasize your ability to manage your time and prioritize tasks effectively.
Addressing Travel Costs
Employers may also be concerned about the cost of business travel. To address this concern, emphasize any cost-saving measures you implemented while on the road, such as booking flights in advance or negotiating better rates with hotels.
FAQs for How to Include Business Travel on Resume
Can I mention my business trips on my resume?
Yes, you can and should include your business travel experience on your resume as it adds value to your profile. Business travel shows that you have experience working with different cultures, have excellent problem-solving skills, can work independently, and are committed to your work. Mentioning your travel experiences on your resume gives a potential employer the idea that you are willing to take on challenges and are not afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
How do I mention business trips on my resume?
There are different ways to mention your business trips on your resume. One effective way is to create a “Travel” section where you list all the countries and cities you have visited, the purpose of your visit, the duration of your stay, and the activities performed while you were there. You can also mention a few of your key achievements during the travel in the bullet points of your job description if applicable. Be specific, and make sure to highlight how your travels have contributed to your professional growth and skill set.
How do I quantify my business travel experience on my resume?
One way to quantify your business travel experience on your resume is by adding numbers and percentages wherever possible. For instance, if you traveled to a trade show, provide the number of leads you generated there or the number of clients you landed after the visit. If you worked with a team to complete a project while traveling, mention the size of the team, the project’s scope, the deadline you met, and the client’s feedback. All these details help to give the employer a clear picture of your accomplishments and the positive contribution you made to your organization through your travels.
Are there any additional tips to keep in mind while mentioning business travel on a resume?
Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind while mentioning business travel on the resume. Avoid sounding like a tourist and instead present your travel experience in a professional manner. Mention only those trips that are relevant to your job, and focus on the skills you gained during those trips that add value to your target job. Lastly, ensure that you do not overshare any confidential information about your company or your clients while mentioning your business trips on the resume.