Traveling on a budget is great, but no matter how frugal you are with your money, eventually it runs out. That’s why short term work on the road is a great way to pick up a little cash to further extend your travels, and is a lot easier than we are often led to believe.

The type of work I am talking about here is basic, hourly wage labor, in fields such as teaching English, or work in the tourism industry (tour operators, restaurants, bars, hostels, etc.) It’s NOT an opportunity to make or save a lot of money, but it IS an opportunity to supplement your travel bankroll and spend some more time on the road before the money runs out and you have to go home.

The following tips apply to travelers looking for short term work anywhere in the world, with or without a valid work permit or visa.

A Note on Working “Illegally” Abroad

Now before I get into the tips on how to find short term work abroad, I need to discuss the nature of this work. Unless your government has reciprocal work swap agreements in the country you are seeking short term employment (Canada’s SWAP Program, EU work exchange policies), working abroad “legally” will mean obtaining a work permit or work visa for your host country. Work visas generally require your prospective employer sponsor you for the visa, which for short term wage work is close to impossible. Basically, what I’m saying here is that in most countries you will have to simply ignore the legal requirements, and find someone willing to pay you “under the table”. This may sound scary or risky, but in reality is very common practice among long-term travelers, and something that rarely becomes a “legal” issue.

1. Know where to look: Your comparative advantage as a foreign employee is that you speak English and you’re a tourist. Use these skills and qualities to your advantage. Teaching English is a quality, well-paying job almost anywhere on the planet. So, if you are interesting in doing that for a couple of months, hit the English schools looking for positions or even post flyers around town advertising your services privately. As a tourist you also have an advantage in the fact that you know what other travelers want and how to relate to them. This can be very valuable to any business that targets foreign tourists as their clientele (tour operators, touristy restaurants, bars, hostels). A lifetime traveling friend always says, “Wherever there are tourists, there are jobs for tourists”, and it really is true.

2. Hit the pavement: The most important ingredient to finding a job abroad is consistent, unfaltering persistence. Get ready to hit the pavement from sun-up to sun-down, have doors shut in your face, and hear a hell of a lot more “no’s” than you do “yes’s”. It’s really a numbers game, the more businesses and people you approach, the more likely one of them will hire you. Just maintain a positive attitude, be professional (dress professionally, and be ready for an interview and hire “on the spot”), and eventually you WILL find something.

3. Network: Abroad, just like at home, who you know if often much more important than what you know. When you aren’t out job-hunting, spend your time in local restaurants and bars trying to meet other locals or foreigner who are in the “industry”. Ask them where they work, if they know anyone who is hiring, tell them your situation and you’ll likely find a lot of people willing to help you out. It is a lot harder for a prospective employer to turn down a “friend of friend”, than someone they have never met and have no allegiance to. I have found a number of great jobs teaching English, just through casual conversations at the bar.

4. Learn the language: While it is possible to find work abroad only speaking a few words of the local language (mainly teaching English in Asia), you’ll find the job-hunting process much more manageable if you can at least communicate in the local language. You don’t need to be fluent, but you do need to know how to get by. If your language abilities are still shaky, take a week or two of intensive language classes (well worth the investment). Above all, do not be timid or afraid to use the language abilities you do have. A beginner’s knowledge can take you a long way, but only if you are bold enough to use it.

5. Take what you can get: As I said above, 99% of the work you find abroad will be relatively unglamorous, and for lower wages than you may be accustomed to back home. Just accept it for what it is, an opportunity to make a few bucks to continue your travels, a chance to get more involved in everyday local life, and a time to make some new friends. Approach the prospect of work abroad with a good attitude and you’ll be rewarded, otherwise don’t waste your time.

I realize this is a broad topic, and may generate a number of questions, so please feel free to leave any questions or thoughts in comments section below.

Further Reading

• Brave New Traveler’s The Secret to Looking for Work Abroad

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