12 tips to advance your career

12 tips to advance your career
By admin


1. Spruce up your CV

The resumé is usually the first point of call when a job hunt begins and it's also the most critical in landing that dream job. As managing director of AA Appointments Adriana D'Angelis explained, it's easy to pull a satisfactory CV together, but it takes an outstanding resume to make an impact. To make your CV stand out from the rest, D'Angelis suggested including a timeline of recent professional experience and a brief education summary.

2. Improve your skill set

While honing in on your existing skill set can help you in your current job, C&M director Melissa Schembri said learning new skills could land you a better one. Attending product updates and training sessions are an ideal way to gain product knowledge.  Getting involved with business matters such as accounting and sales will also look great on any CV.

3. Embrace the gift of the gab

Scanning career websites can be a dull and consuming process, but Schembri said it may be avoided altogether with good contacts. With many great travel jobs not advertised online, she said networking may hold the key to your next career step. Product evenings and industry events are great ways to meet new contacts, she said, and getting your name out there will return dividends in the longer term.

4. Put your hand up

Volunteering to take on extra responsibilities is a great way to get noticed for a promotion. Whether it's offering to help when a staff member is away or helping run the books, it all counts. "Showing interest and a hunger to learn more puts you on your employer's radar," D'Angelis said. "It also adds to your CV and makes you more employable elsewhere."

5. Have the right attitude

Taking long lunches isn't the best approach for employees on the hunt for a promotion, but having a positive attitude will certainly help. Displaying an enthusiastic attitude and genuine interest in career progression won't go unnoticed by your employer. It will also put you in the running for travel incentives and job opportunities down the track.

6. Learn to love GDS

Years of practical experience is important to most employers, but as D'Angelis explained, experience with global distribution systems (GDS) holds more weight in an interview. In fact, D'Angelis said GDS experience is enough to make or break the chances of getting a new job. "Knowing how to use GDS is absolutely critical," she asserted. "Without it, you instantly lose your competitive edge in an interview."

7. Make up your mind

Whether face-to-face consulting or owning your own business is your passion, choosing your career goals sooner will help you fast-track your way to success. If it's a management role you're after, training will pay greater dividends in the short term, but if you have a corporate role in mind, ticketing experience may be more beneficial.

8. Wow the crowd

Just the thought of an interview can make some job seekers tremble, but it's also the make-or-break in securing that next step in your career path. D'Angelis's hot tip is to do some research before the big day to show you are genuinely interested in the job. Be sure to maintain eye contact and avoid talking too much during the interview. If you're nervous, explain it to the interviewer as it could help put you at ease.

9. Flash the passport

If you have a passion for a particular destination, D'Angelis suggested booking a ticket to get some first hand knowledge. "Building product knowledge shows that you have a passion for the industry and can help consultants move into a more specific role," she said.

10. Hit the books

Consultants who want to crack the corporate market will need to log in some study hours. Ticketing and GDS experience will help in the interview, but as CTM recruitment manager Andrew Goold explained, consultants need to have completed a Certificate III in Tourism and Travel before they can be considered for a corporate role. Courses are run several times a year and usually take 10 to 12 weeks.

11. Gain experience

For agents who want to climb the career ladder, practical experience is paramount. Training will no doubt help employees gain a competitive edge, but Goold stressed that there is no substitute for hands-on experience. "Agents need a couple of years grounding before they are ready to advance in their career, and that comes with years of experience," he said.

12. Get online

For those on the prowl for a new job this year, the internet is a good starting point. Most travel agencies advertise job vacancies on seek.com.au, and job hunters can sign up to alerts if they know what kind of work they are after. Recruitment agencies are another place to start, so let your browser do the walking.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

career

Latest News

  • Hotels

Hotel d’Inghilterra completes its extensive restyling

Hotel d’Inghilterra, the historic and unique accommodation landmark in Rome, has completed its rebirth with the iconic property enhancing its charm event further. Located just a few steps from the iconic Spanish Steps and the Via Condotti, the hotel’s innate elegance has been home of international patrons and Roman nobility since the mid 16th century. […]

  • Cruise

Oceania Cruises unveils its new brand value promise to all guests

Culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, Oceania Cruises, has unveiled its ‘Your World Included’  featuring an updated selection of always included amenities. The new offer cements the brand’s promise of ‘Your World, Your Way’ branding and as part of it, all guests will receive included shipboard gratuities for stateroom attendants, butlers, and dining waitstaff automatically in […]

  • Destinations

Adventure World unveils new Canada MAKE TRAVEL MATTER campaign

Adventure World has unveiled a new Canada campaign going beyond breathtaking landscapes and iconic sights and inviting Aussie travellers to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER by giving back to the destinations they explore. Through the innovative MAKE TRAVEL MATTER program, starting this month, travellers can add meaningful experiences to their Canadian adventures. Imagine participating in a wildlife […]

  • News
  • Tourism

Intrepid Adventures launches new travel show on Channel 10

Intrepid Travel has launched a new six-part travel series, Intrepid Adventures, premiering on Channel 10 this Sunday, 8 September. In partnership with creative production house, Sloane Media and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, the program shifts the spotlight from traditional tourist sights to the local guides and communities that bring each destination to life. The […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Luxury Travel Collection reveals ‘Leaders who Lunch’ series

The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) launched ‘Leaders Who Lunch’ (LWL) with its first event today, bringing together an intimate group of luxury advisors with global luxury partner, Silversea. This new series of intimate, invitation-only lunches will connect influential global senior leaders from LTC’s luxury partner network, with a hand-selected group of members to nurture elevated […]

  • Cruise
  • Travel Agents

MSC Cruises hosts ’Deep Dive on Japan’ webinar

MSC Cruises has announced an exclusive webinar tailored for travel partners that offers an in-depth look at their Japan 2025 itineraries and more. The 20-minute webinar, followed by a 5-minute interactive Q&A session, is designed to provide travel partners with comprehensive insights into the popular destination of the Far-East and top selling itineraries. Japan and […]

  • News

World-first education initiative introduces “Guardian of the Reef” platform

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has partnered with Expedia in the US, UK and Australia to introduce the “Guardian of the Reef”, a world-first platform. Conservation curious travellers can visit the newly launched website and work through a series of short educational videos, each with a coupon reward system to use with Expedia bookings on the […]

  • Cruise

Explora Journeys announces godmother for EXPLORA II

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced that environmentalist Rosalba Giugni as the godmother of their newest ship, the EXPLORA II. The ship’s official naming ceremony will be on 15 September 2024 in Civitavecchia, Italy and marks the latest addition to the Explora Journey’s fleet. It reflects the […]

  • Aviation

Malaysia Airlines launches direct flight to Paris

Malaysia Airlines has announced direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, marking a key milestone in the airline’s European expansion. This route, which will commence on 22 March 2025, represents Malaysia Airlines’ 68th destination, reinforcing its position as the gateway to Asia and beyond. In celebration of the route’s return after nearly […]

  • Hotels

Oasia Resort Sentosa unveils new room category and junior suites

The Oasia Resort Sentosa has unveiled its latest Courtyard Premier rooms and refreshed Junior Suites as well as a staycation offer for pet owners and their furry friends. Located on level two in the Palawan Wing, the 19 Courtyard Premier rooms each span 63sqm with a spacious alfresco area with bean bags and a dining […]

  • Hotels

Park Regis by Prince Singapore debuts under a new brand name following extensive refurbishments

The debut of the Park Regis by Prince Singapore marks the global expansion of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts since launching its new global brand identity in April. Following this rebranding of the property and extensive refurbishment, Park Regis by Prince Singapore is an urban oasis that effortlessly encapsulates the essence of its unique bi-culture […]