If you want to travel the world but can’t afford to quit working entirely, then scoring some awesome jobs while backpacking is essential. Becoming location independent is hard work, and unless you win the lottery, it is something that will take time and sacrifice.
However, for the short term, there are many ways to make money on the road.
Great ways to work and make money while you travel:
Freelance
Whatever your ‘thing’ is, take it on the road with you. If you’re a writer, pick up some writing clients before you leave, same thing if you’re a web designer, graphic designer, or photographer.
Know that if you want to make any of these freelancing jobs work for you, you will need to establish yourself in your trade before you take off on your trip.
Manual Labor
Manual labor is a great work option for those who don’t wish to be in one place for too long, and don’t feel comfortable living the freelance life.
When it comes to this option, think seasonally; farming, fruit picking, fishing, and even dishwashing. Most of the time, employers seek to hire transients for short periods of time to help out, and will even pay under the table.
Travel blogging is an extremely saturated field that requires years of effort, commitment, and investment before any real payoffs start to happen. However, when those payoffs do happen, they can happen big time and are very rewarding.
To become a successful travel blogger, you need to be a jack-of-all-trades; a writer, photographer, marketer, have a basic understanding of website creation, and have the means to actually, you know, travel.
Check out this article for how to start a successful travel blog.
Au Pair
An Au Pair is someone who looks after children and takes care of housework while living with the host family. They usually get free food and accommodation with a payment added on top!
Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant will allow you to work for an array of businesses and entrepreneurs while being location independent. Virtual assistants usually have the tasks of replying to e-mails, keeping up with social media, and scheduling.
The freelance, nomadic life isn’t for everyone. If you are someone who wants to see the world but requires a little more stability, consider applying for a working holiday visa in the country of your choice.
In this scenario, you will move to a new country, get an apartment, get a bank account, and apply for work. You will amalgamate into your new environment, albeit temporarily.
A common option for people who choose to work abroad is to become an english teacher. There are english teaching opportunities almost everywhere, and many companies will even vouch for your flight and apartment.
Cruise ship
Working on a cruise ship is one of the most popular jobs for travelers, simply based on the diverse array of available jobs offered and the fact that food and lodging is included. Cruise ships often have need for stage production hands, kitchen and wait staff, cleaners, bartenders, doctors, and entertainers.
Check the websites of popular cruise lines for job availabilities.
Some more tips for scoring jobs abroad:
Check hostel notice boards
Businesses looking to hire transients for short-term work will often post about the positions in hostels. Check these out or ask the front desk attendant if they know of any opportunities.
Keep an open mind
Be willing to try new things and in new fields when you’re looking for work abroad. More than likely you will be looking for temporary work anyway, so why not poke around a few varied industries while you are at it?
Prepare
When you get a lead on a job, make sure you are prepared. Give the recruiter exact dates when you will be both in and out of the country, and be able to show them your hostel arrangements so they feel secure in hiring you.
When you meet with them, have your resume/CV handy and make sure you look the part for the role of which you are applying.