I am considering whether or not to take a job that requires lots of traveling, what are the pros and cons?

Question

The salary is higher than my current workplace. They know of my broken leg and are willing to wait for me to recover. They also provide accommodation and all the traveling expenses.

It will require me to travel a lot around the world, mostly Asian Business Hubs and communicate with lots of businesspeople.

I like the traveling aspect but I’ve never done this job before and while I know that whatever I start doing, I will excel in that, because I am a perfectionist, but I am not sure whether to try or not.

love_conquers_lust · Accepted Answer

@islathewitch should know about this one.

My aunt and uncle did it when he worked for the military exchange travelling the world, never a dull day. "Taking a chance" was his philosophy.

My grandfather did it travelling the country working as a salesman and quality tester for a concrete manufacturer. Haven't heard any major complaints. It was good money. He somehow managed to have 7 kids doing it, my grandmother also worked and they somehow raise all of them.

Consulting pretty much requires a lot of travelling for those lower on the totem. It's a hustler's job if you like hotels and being on the move. It's not something I would take to because of my ailment. I have to be very controlled and plan out my trips when I do take them, or else I won't enjoy them.

I did travel a few times to different states for my last position in Iowa to see other manufacturing facilities. It was okay. I've preferred trips I've planned out for vacation like New York, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, or Texas. It can be fun seeing different biomes and people of different cultures.

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

1. Travelling sounds exciting if you have not done it very much. After you have done it for a few weeks, unpacking a suitcase every night will get old. Eating in restaurants rather than at home will lose its appeal.

2. If you want to cultivate a long term relationship, frequent traveling can potentially cause problems. First, you will not be at home very often so you will have less time to devote to someone in your hometown. And if you become interested in someone you meet while traveling, you will have even less time in their hometown. The other problem is that trust becomes much more of an issue when you are frequently traveling and you have left that someone special at home.

3. On the positive side, if you are a person who easily becomes bored, travel will present new challenges and adventures. And you will be exposed to a wider range of people and cultures.

msmissydc · Accepted Answer

So my husband has to travel for work too. Not all the time but far from rare.
Its fun at first but it will become stressful. Also if you have someone at home pets, partners, etc. It might not be good. Depends how much and often your have to travel. That all depends on the following though.

Best tipps I can give that make it great: Can you actually stay longer than the buisness trip? If yes than all travel vacations will be cheaper andmnot all memories of a travel location will be WORK.

Second can you take someone with you or are you traveling allone all the time? That would make a huge difference too. It can be work colleagues but if the option is available maybe a family member canmtravel with you and keep company. Obviously they pay for the travel and can't go with you to work. But they have the option to visit the travel location and you keep each other comany as if you would work in your city after work.

sheikalana · Accepted Answer

I have a job that requires lots of traveling but also lots of free time. My husband is very supportive of what I do and we have an amazing life. I’m financially comfortable and happy with what I do. I’d say take the risk even if you don’t plan on doing it forever at least you’ll be able to save good money for however long you decide to do it.

molonski2 · Answer

I've had similar roles in the past

pros ; You get to travel around Asia ( heh I might even see you in the Hua Hin ) , you will meet business , interesting people , no doubt , you will learn heeps , you will see opportunity , make good money I'd say , expand horizons

cons ; Its really really draining , hard to get in good habits , buggars your sleep[ patterns , you will have dreams that you are in Singapore when you are meant to be in Malaysia , you have to live out of a suitcase , you dont get enough personal time , because you need to finish off xxx , before you head to the airport , the companies never allow for how much time the travel takes.

I'm sure there is more , but thats all I can think of right now :)

RebelinSteel · Answer

It always sounds exciting to travel with work, until you get down to doing it all the time. For me the big one is the travel policy and what level of hotel is covered, also the long distance flights are they cattle class or business or premium economy, 12 hours in cattle class every time you fly really sucks. Hotels need to be a decent level, Marriott etc not budget. You learn to live out of your suitcase, good quality noise cancelling headphones are a must, being given the flexibility to plan your own itinerary is also a bonus or you leave it to HR etc to bugger up for you.

the Pros are you get to experience parts of the world and people you would not normally meet. You learn a lot of skill sets that you do not while sitting behind a desk. Depending on the role you also understand your product more, understand the supplier base or customer base better.

bobinnes00 · Answer

When I was younger I worked in the building trade and was away from home every week. It was only in the UK and home every weekend and I didn't travel alone it was with workmates but those were the best years of my life.

After I got made redundant from that job I drove long distance trucks away from home a lot, I did that for a few years and I loved that too.

If you are OK with travelling alone I would say go for it, you will no doubt be able to socialise with people you will work with if not there's always a meetup or something.

If you find you don't like it you could always look for something else later on.

Would you regret not taking the job though, always wondering what it could have been like? ... What's that saying, We regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did, or something like that.

exitseven · Answer

I had a job where I travelled all over the country installing computer systems. It was before I was married and had not even met my wife yet. I saw a lot of the country an went to many places that I never would have gone to. I worked a lot of hours and made a lot of money and after a while jut saw the same Holiday Inns, drove the same rent a cars and ate at the same chain restaurants. One city was pretty much like all the others. I only did it for a year or so because I was burned out but I am glad I had the experience.

GregorSamsa · Answer

As others have said, it's exciting at first, but gets old. Especially if you have pets or a family at home you never see. Living out of a hotel is incredibly lonely. You don't have your regular friends with you, just the internet. And unlike solo travel for pleasure, you don't have time to take in the sites at your pace because you're literally there to work.

Even on tour, I never got to see anything because I was always stuck in rehearsals or trying to catch up on sleep (jetlag!!), or looking for some place to eat, and rarely had time or energy to see the place I was in.

msc545 · Answer

What sort of job is this - sales?

Also - I have traveled a lot in the past for work and it was unpleasant and exhausting -

1. Airports are busy and filled with people who are anxious and angry, and security at least here in the US is a major hassle at best and terrifying at worst. Parking at airports is difficult and often inconvenient and too far from terminals. I hate airports for these and other reasons.

2. Unless you stay at a really nice hotel (unlikely since your employer will be paying for it), it will probably be dirty with poor service and minimal amenities.

3. You will have trouble getting decent meals on the run.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I traveled soem for work and I know someone that travels a lot.

pro: get to see other places such that you find someone or decide want to move to that area. it opens doors

pros: ff miles? know the system, business class? good food, but watch diet and exercise

cons: can be lonely, lacking home base to me be tiring. I like to be home and know my neighbors rather than random people.

cons: having to travel when sick for business is not as fun as doing it on vaca. So mind over matter required.

cons: travel delays... going to be living the system and issues that turn up.

good luck with your decision. you seem to find good fortunate wherever you go.

NathanDavis · Answer

if you love structure and routine... you might not like traveling often, because there's a lot of unexpected and annoying circumstances, and they just will never stop, lol

if you love to sleep well and enough hours... cannot function with a minimum set hours of sleep... traveling is also going to mess up this, big time

if your diet is a balanced one, and your eating hours are set too... again, traveling often and the nature of annoying and unexpected setbacks, is going to ruin a few things

RavVid · Answer

It sounds good to travel for work but it isn't as good as it sounds. Work is stressful and you don't have your support network overseas. You don't even have your customary routine. It is a bit different if you are in one place for a reasonable time or if you are in a place for a short time.

We get used to working with colleagues - that is where the greatest stress occurs. You're expected to achieve results but the people you might be working with want you to achieve nothing.

I am quite glad of my overseas work but don't think it is easy. It may or may not be for you. At your age you should try it :)

DJB72 · Answer

Richard Branson's philosophy is if someone asks you to do something, say yes then work out  how  to do it. Since he's become a billionaire doing that I figure it's a good strategy

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Yiur dream came true. You have a positive attitude and likes traveling. Try it out. What do you yiu can always stop if it’s not what you like. Yiu are you are young, single. Go for it have fun.
Don’t break a leg.

robhazelnut · Answer

Different places have different levels of technology, including a most essential one for health; restrooms. That's a con if you're unprepared, and having an injured leg would amplify the challeges. May this article assist you in deciding and/or preparing. Title: Squat Toilets in Asia Tripsavvy

IslaTheWitch · Answer

Cons - not existing sleeping schedule Pros - everything else :D

Joshydavid25 · Answer

Well, if you feel confident and like this job will benefit you, you should take the opportunity.. It doesn't seem like there's anything in particular (besides your leg) holding you back.. But if your reservations and any cons you have are higher, will there will be more opportunities.. It seems like there's little cons and a lot of it is just your uncertainty..

Fireguy17 · Answer

I like to travel, and while it can be a pain, if you do it for a while you can build up a pretty good nest egg because of the pay increase.
I work with a guy that travels a lot and he builds up a lot of frequent flyer points, and he has used those for 1st class upgrades, and he and his wife were also pod people when they flew overseas.
Some like to travel, some don't.
Hope your leg is coming along nicely.

Worst · Answer

Lack of family/friend time would be the biggest issue for me

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

First off do you like traveling? If you do this is the ideal job for you

Kelly6 · Answer

@lafemmefatale_1 depend how far you have to travel

collie22 · Answer

I would think if you think it's a fit it probably is. IF Your out going and you can travel without stressing over everything and you like meeting new people. I would say don't get to much advice , do your own thinking.😊

Jerre · Answer

I would take the job. It will enhance your opportunities for a better job at a later time.

slatyb · Answer

Try it and see. It's it's not for you, find something else. The experience will be quite valuable whether or not you stay.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Life on the road can lose its shine once you have been doing it for a few months.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Traveling can and will wear your ass down over time, especially if the travel is regularly across many time zones.  If you are unattached and want to build your resume, go for it.

boobliker · Answer

find a partner in all ports you travel too and enjoy the freedom

RedInnocent68 · Answer

Show me the money!

I am considering whether or not to take a job that requires lots of traveling, what are the pros and cons?

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