I’ve just returned from a whirlwind 10-day vacation that covered some major cities in five countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bavaria, Austria, and Czechia. It was completely amazing and, no, I did not stick to my normal keto diet at all. But what I did do—as I was traipsing through castles, palaces, and abbeys; tripping along cobblestone streets; and using my elementary German-language skills to attempt to find my way and eat all the yumminess—was realize that traveling has a lot in common with the typical job-search journey.
Yeah, yeah, I know: This just sounds like a clever way to brag about my trip while still sharing a bit of career advice. Okay, that’s kind of true, but there are some ways the two journeys coincide. I want to share these with you, as well as how you can apply my “lessons learned” to move forward in your career.
You Need a Plan (and Also to Stay Flexible)
I traveled to Europe as part of a group tour (EF Go Ahead, if you’re interested), so I had booked flights, a daily itinerary, and hotels all lined up. Even with everything mostly scheduled, we had most afternoons free to explore on our own. Some days, we had ideas; some days, we didn’t. No matter what, the goal was always to enjoy ourselves and not stress out when plans took a turn.
This happens in your job-search journey as well. You may have had your heart set on that great opportunity, but it was followed by a rejection letter. Or maybe you received a random LinkedIn InMail about something you’d not previously considered. Staying open allows you to explore all kinds of options.
Pro Tip: Establish a weekly schedule with key tasks to accomplish during your search, such as applying to positions, networking, and following up, but leave room for new and different things that may come up.
Pack the Essentials (and Ditch the Dead Weight)
I have no idea how some of our 23 fellow travelers managed to get through nearly a dozen days of travel with only a small carry-on and a backpack. I took too much of some things (really, did I need full makeup?) and not enough of others (hello, packable puffer jacker, you are on my shopping list!). Lessons learned.
In your job search, packing smart means having the essentials, such as a strong base resume that can be updated as needed for different positions, a killer cover letter when it’s requested, and a compelling LinkedIn profile that grabs attention and completes your personal brand. What not to pack? Outdated jargon and that 20-year-old resume that starts with your objective.
Pro Tip: Think of your resume as your job-search your carry-on: It should only include what’s relevant and impressive. Everything else? Leave it at home.
Embrace Technology (but Allow for Time to Go It Alone)
Traveling internationally in 2025 is a whole lot different than it was when I was last in Germany in the 1980s. Then, I didn’t have the benefit of a smartphone that enabled me to download maps, calculate currency conversions, and “read” via Google Translate. Even with those tools on this trip, we still wandered, ended up with food we didn’t really expect to get, and spent more on trinkets than we should have. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In your job-search journey, you can feel disoriented as well and not even know what to do with the technology that’s in front of you. That’s okay. It is a journey, after all, and it’s fine to take a little time to learn more about things like LinkedIn. Getting lost, or going along a different path, is all part of how you come upon that next adventure.
Pro Tip: Take baby steps with technology, if needed. One more thing you do today will put you one step ahead tomorrow. And if you need a day off, take it.
You’ll Meet Interesting People (Some More Helpful than Others)
From our amazing tour director to a local guide who literally stopped mid-tour to say, “Squirrel!” and proceeded to tell us about red squirrels vs. grey squirrels in Europe, we met some interesting folks on our travels. Some we’d invite to stay at our place back home, while others we’ll be happy to not see again anytime soon.
It’s like that in your job search as well. You’ll run across helpful people who mean well and have your best interests in mind, and you’ll also find some who offer opinions that are anything but insightful. Sift through it all and take what is most meaningful for you and your journey.
Pro Tip: When networking, as when traveling, it’s not about getting something. Sometimes, it’s about the connection and sharing commonalities. When you’re curious, kind, and open, there’s no telling where the chat will lead.
There Will Be Highs and Lows (and They’re Both Okay)
Being in close quarters with loved ones, as well as having to interact daily with rude tourists and overwhelmed locals, can be trying for everyone. While my husband and I didn’t once argue, there were moments when we weren’t quite on the same page and needed to recenter.
Such is the case in your job search. It’s not all Viennese coffee and Sacher tortes; sometimes, it’s a quick brat from an Imbiss—or a rejection email. But once you get that delicious taste of success, all the challenging times will be well worth it.
Pro Tip: Keep a log of your wins. Did someone compliment your resume? Did you make a great connection on LinkedIn? These small victories will keep your morale up on tough days.
You’ll Learn More than You Expect
I certainly planned to eat all the bad-for-me things on my European travels, but I didn’t expect to enjoy the simple beauty of taking pictures on a cloudy, cold day. Yep, I live in Arizona, so not seeing the sun is foreign to me, but 45º didn’t feel quite as cold on vacation.
In your job-search journey, you’ll learn a ton—about industries, companies, and most importantly, about yourself. Maybe you’ll discover you’re more resilient than you thought. Maybe you’ll finally get clarity on what you don’t want. These lessons are part of your growth.
Pro Tip: Along with your wins, journal your entire job search. Keep notes about what’s working, what isn’t, and how you’re feeling. Self-awareness is a secret weapon in career success.
Eventually, You’ll Land Somewhere Wonderful
Just as every travel journey has an end, and I was soon on a plane back to the States, your job-search journey will eventually lead you to the right position. It might not be exactly what you imagined at the start, but it might just be even better!
And on a group travel adventure or along the route to your next role, you’ll have missteps, detours, and surprises that will shape the story and the outcome. Be present, trust that everything will work out, and remember that we always learn something when we’re paying attention.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush the ending. Focus on taking consistent, intentional steps, and your career passport will get stamped in the right place soon enough.
Embrace Your Job-Search Journey
Now that I’m home back sleeping in my own bed and returning to a familiar day-to-day schedule, I can better reflect on all that I saw, learned, and experienced in Europe. As they say, hindsight is 20/20. That’s also true for the job-search journey, and you will be able to look back positively after you land. Now, though, it’s good to stay focused and positive as much as possible, knowing that everything happens for a reason, and you will create new memories by going through this process.
And if you need a guide, I’m here to help. Just as our trip through those five amazing countries was made so much easier by having a dedicated guide, I can help you navigate your job-search journey to a positive conclusion. To learn more, check out the services I provide.