What are your thoughts on travel for work?

28 Comments

1. Andrea FJune 5,2024 at 2:17AM UTC

   Absolutely get out there and travel! I was a road warrior for years. I did so with four children, so I definitely understand the challenges; however, my ability to be flexible only opened more opportunities up to me. Had I shied away from travel, I would have missed out working for amazing companies in NFL type cities.

   Once you gain experience with the company, you can look for other opportunities.

   Go for it!

2. Allegre NeeJune 5,2024 at 3:25AM UTC

   I'm not a road warrior (I hate that term, actually) but I moved from a job with travel maybe 2-3x per year to one that was 75% per year. I LOVE(D) it! It was a huge boost to my career, I learned a lot, and went from junior engineer at my last job to director at my current job. In 5 years. I now do about 40% travel and it is a great balance for me.

   I say go for it!!

   Ask about how many trips per month, how much weekend travel is required, how long an average trip is, and the reasons for the trips.

3. AnonymousJune 5,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

   I've found when it is heavy travel, it's reiterated during the interview and asked "will you be okay with this". You could ask any number of questions to get a better idea of what the travel expectations are. "How frequently should I anticipate overnight travel?" It may be one a month, once a quarter, that sort of things. A couple of days to a week or more.

   I don't travel frequently for work, but I do enjoy doing so. In my currently role, I do overnight every 3-6 months to an office that is an hour and a half flight plus a 30 minute drive once I get there. I've also been sent overseas for a week (I tacked on a couple of days at the end of the trip for a mini vacation). Previous job, the last couple of years before I was there (pre-COVID) I was traveling at least once a month with a couple of international trips thrown in. The biggest pro is banking my miles and hotel points and seeing places I might not otherwise have an opportunity to.

4. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

   I traveled quite a bit with a prior role and hated it. I don’t see the appeal at all, especially if you have young kids at home. Occasionally was fine.

   I would ask during the interview what it looks like. Is it weekly, once a month, once every couple of months, and see if it’s something you can live with.

   Work travel for me was not glamorous. I never went anyplace I would normally want to go, and it was lonely. I am also an introvert so having to be on from sun up to sun down was exhausting.

   I was laid off from a job where I traveled and worked 60-70 hours a week. Was told our group was no longer needed. So it did nothing for my career.

5. Rae WagonerJune 6,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

   "Occasionally" is what you said you would not mind for travel and 30-40% (as you stated the company is looking for) are not the same.

   Yes, ask questions, but be prepared for the answer to be "30-40%" as stated upfront. And be ready to admit that this may not be the role for you.

   I enjoy work travel, and in the industry I'm in it is mostly concentrated in November-April. I travel with teammates, board members, and folks who share my role in other organizations.

   You didn't mention your life status. I am married and have no kids – hubby is a homebody and he keeps the home fires burning and takes care of my dog. Your home situation will certainly factor in. Will you be missing T-ball and dance recitals? Do you want/need to be home at night to help with homework? Your situation should certainly factor into your job search.

6. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 2:33PM UTC

   My previous job had me traveling at least three out of four weeks a month. Keep this in mind. What is the standard of hotel you will be staying at? How will this effect your downtime if you unwind with a hobby? How will you keep in you keep in touch with close friends and family? If your travel arrangements go crazy due to unforeseen circumstances, how is that handled? Are you reimbursed for your travels, how much, is there is limit? Does someone else arrange the travel for you? How are costs covered? What happens if you fall ill? Do you have enough time to clean your clothes, clean your place, pay your bills, get your mail, repack, cook new foods you travel with? Keep in mind no pets will be possible. At the end of the year, I was done - though I began as a lover of traveling. By the end I was tired of arranging everything every week - home on weekends only. Safe travels to you!

7. Rae WagonerJune 6,2024 at 6:09PM UTC

   The level of accommodations, who books the travel, and are you reimbursed or is it paid for up front are GREAT questions that I completely forgot to ask!

   Might not want to ask, but something else to think about - depending on how the travel is booked/paid for, there could be some serious "points/miles/status" benefits accrued during work travel that, depending on company policy for such matters, could turn out to be mighty sweet for personal travel.

8. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 4:34PM UTC

   Ask them if the travel spread out through the year or if it concentrated during a certain 3-4 month period. I worked for a company that said travel would be 25% but they didn't tell you it was mainly during the first three months of the year.

9. GirlBossanova934974June 7,2024 at 1:02PM UTC

   In the first part of my career, I had a travel job. If you are early or mid stage in your career, I think travel jobs are very good. 1) You can make/save money. 25% of your daily living expenses may be transferred to your employer. With food costs high these days, this is definitely some money. 2) You get away from the SAME OLD CROWD at work and get to meet some new people. Never hurts to network AND I always got bored of most of the people I worked with. 3) You get to see other parts of the world on someone else's dime. TAKE advantage of it. Some of the best times of my life were had on someone else's dime.

10. Zeecil KimmelJune 7,2024 at 1:14PM UTC

    I spent most of my career working remotely and traveling. I did this while raising five children. I never liked sitting in the office all day with co-workers and doing the social and chit-chatting and the only three years of my over 25-year career in technology that I spent in an office confirmed it for me. I have a very supportive husband who is primarily a father to my children but my children still know me as their Mother (with a capital M.) I am the one they call if they are allowed to eat ice cream, have a playdate, and when they need someone to pick up supplies for their school projects. All their friends know that if they want to be successful they ask my daughter and her Mom will make it happen with ideas and supplies.

    For me, the travel was a bit of a getaway when I needed it. It was instrumental in COVID when I traveled often because getting work done at home was impossible. If I could make recommendations for someone women who are looking to travel for work -

    1) Bring along food and find yourself healthy options when traveling. I make a salad for lunch every day from items I can buy at Walmart or any grocery store.

    2) Get out of your hotel room and check out the local sites. I love going to Goodwills, fun stores, or local attractions.

    3) Try and get some exercise every day - going to the hotel gym or walking around outside the hotel makes all the difference.

    4) Get enough sleep and if you can stay in your home time zone. Not always so easy but worth it so you do not have to deal with jetlag as badly when you get home.

    Best of Luck to you.

11. Cynthia TrivellaJune 7,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

    I had two jobs that required travel. Here is what I learned from both. Whatever percentage they tell you, be prepared for it to be more.

    Some things for you to consider: Does biz travel fit into your lifestyle? Do you have young children/pets that will need support in your absence? Do you have support at home taking care of “home stuff” while you’re away? How will the company provide lodging? (This may sound like a funny question, but one of my employers expected me to stay at dumpy/cheap motels in not so great areas). In regards to reservations, do they book the hotels and plane reservations? Do you have a daily food/sundries budget and if so, what is it? Will you have a company credit card or pay and be reimbursed? If reimbursed, what is the process (e.g., Do they use a platform like Concur?) How long do reimbursements take to go through and does your boss need to approve first (likely so)? Is there a requirement for receipts to be submitted above a certain amount? (Some companies don’t care if the amount is under a certain threshold (e.g., anything under $5.00 doesn’t require a receipt).

    Also, you likely will not have time to connect with the location on a personal level, as business will consume your time while there. But you may be able to tack on some personal days as an option which can be fun.

    Good luck!

12. Jessica FerlandJune 7,2024 at 5:00PM UTC

    I rarely take the word of a recruiter over confirmation by the hiring manager or the job posting. That said, I travelled for work in my late 20s. There were parts about it I enjoyed and the novelty wore off pretty quickly. You said it best that the road warrior life is not for you. Even at 25% travel, that averages about 1 week/month.

13. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 6:00PM UTC

    Assume the travel requirement could either double or half and be OK either way. If you have a pet, consider if you will have pet expenses when you travel and how your pet will respond. My cat does not do well with a pet sitter after 3 days and kenneling is a disaster. Understand who makes the travel arrangements, what the expectation is for costs/quality of accommodations and meals, ad how costs are covered. I often am carrying about 3k on my CC. There are also physicality and social considerations: air travel involves lots of walking and bag handling. You drive strange cars in strange places and eat alone in restaurants. But if you have the right mindset, it enriches your life.

14. AnonymousJune 8,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

    Hi.

    I am also in a profile where I have to travel at least 7-10 days in a month.

    For me, travelling itself gives lots of experiences, no matter even it is for work. So, I don't see any harm in such profile, especially when you will be working remotely most of the time.

    However, you can ask potential employer that a) what all authorities you have while you will be traveling. E.g. can you 'stop work' if required, at any point during the travel? b) how about travel expenses, will they give you advance for travel or it will reimbursed on actuals after the travel?

15. Lisa MarieJune 8,2024 at 3:17PM UTC

    Since the "road warrior lifestyle" isn't for you, you need to stop wasting the recruiter' and company's time, and allow other candidates to move ahead in the hiring process.

    In a few months you'll be unhappy and will be seeking advice on how to deal with a situation where your company needs you to carry out what is clearly disclosed as the needed travel volume.

    Don't let the recruiter (or hiring manager) trick you with a slightly lower number... they just want to get the position staffed.

16. AnonymousJune 8,2024 at 4:39PM UTC

    To give a current example, I usually travel 7-10 days almost every month. Around the US as well as overseas and I love it.

    Personally I was already someone who loved travel, so it was easy to adapt to my professional role.

    Here are my pros and suggestions -

    If you go for it, suggestions are keep your flights to the same travel alliance (i.e. OneWorld, SkyTeam, Star Alliance) that way you rack up loyalty which can mean lounge access, priority boarding, security, seat selection, luggage, all things that help ease the travel experience. Plus you rack up miles I then use for my personal travel - going to England this summer purely on miles. I wish I did this earlier!

    I was kind of a shy person with strangers and usually only chatted with people I knew or worked with, so I worked towards being more outgoing and curious about those around me, starting conversations with my fellow travelers, and that social aspect has made it even better.

    Treat the flight attendants with kindness and be friendly, they have a tough job and regularly deal with difficult people. The benefits is making their day, and sometimes they make your day even brighter to.

17. maria roseJune 8,2024 at 9:58PM UTC

    Don’t most jobs require you to twig the resume to highlight your skills as they fit the job opportunity already in order to get yourself to be considered for the job.

    Your second point of questioning, involves your consideration of a job opportunity that requires more traveling than you are comfortable with and you are asking for “permission “ to consider the job opportunity. That decision depends on your comfort level in dealing with the constant traveling and has nothing to do with your ability to do the job as you have stated that you have the job skills to adapt positively to the new opportunity. Go with your gut reaction and chose what keeps you most comfortable making the job change, if you are sufficiently compensated by your financial needs.—Good Luck

18. Kathryn BuerJune 8,2024 at 10:58PM UTC

    I have had travel jobs with double that requirement and I would respectfully tell you that if that percentage make you feel like a "road warrior" you are already in the mindset that you won't be happy. My advice would be to step aside and let someone who would enjoy the travel take the job.

19. AnonymousJune 9,2024 at 12:01PM UTC

    I was a road warrior for 14 years mainly on a 3-day trip on weekends. I traveled in the US, Canada and DR. I used those accrued miles for personal travel, and that is how I visited Italy and many other places. I had a small child at that time. My husband hated my job but he supported my career. I will do again if I find the opportunity. I think the decision to travel for work depends on your personal situation and personality. I have an adventurous soul. Good luck!

20. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 12:22AM UTC

    Thank you all for the thoughtful responses, I appreciate the list of questions and perspectives of those that have traveled at all levels. I love learning from others and hearing their experiences and do not want to jump to a decision or eliminate my options, until I have all the information. I hope all of you give yourself permission to explore opportunities that catch you off guard. You never know where they could lead you!

    I am interested in the position (why I sought support from the community) and want to be thoughtful upfront and clear with everyone in the process- I am not interested in wasting anyone’s time, mine included! I am looking forward to hearing more about the details and wanted a list of questions to uncover the process ( thanks for the list!). That is what the interview is about for all parties to learn more about each other, to discover if this is a good fit for everyone. I find I am interested in traveling and was surprised by that, so I want to be thorough with my questions . - and no I don’t think 40% is “road warrioring” ? but change can be exciting and scary. Again thank you for the support and thoughtful considerations!

21. Wanda ShawJune 10,2024 at 12:45AM UTC

    I would guess the biggest question would be what the travel schedule will look like - will it be weekly, or every other week; how many days will be spent at the remote locations, etc... You may want to know so that you can take into consideration beforehand the impact the position may have on your personal life, especially, if you have a family. Besides that, it sounds like it could be a great opportunity.

22. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 1:18AM UTC

    put very simply: you have to decide if you want to be a traveler or not. I would not trust what a recruiter says, nor what the company says. Very often, if you are expected to travel...it can increase over time *(unless we have another pandemic). So, you just gotta decide on this one. As for me, I would never consider traveling. Never. My children and family come first and they would pay a price if I were gone (husband is fantastic but this is just how our little family rolls). Good luck on what you decide!

23. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 11:14AM UTC

    In the early stages of my career I traveled and loved it! Granted, I didn’t have kids. I still traveled with my first alas we could afford live in help by kid two - I was over traveling! I occasionally miss traveling but it’s not for me anymore. You have to decide what’s for you - and make sure you account for truth in travel and emergencies, yours and the company. If they tell you 25% you should think 35% !!

24. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 12:21PM UTC

    Being a road warrior can be exciting and rewarding. But to be clear, it's not what it used to be pre-pandemic and especially over 10 years ago. You have to have a very flexible life so that you can deal with flight cancellations, rebookings, etc that can often make trips longer than you planned. Airlines and hotels have made it more challenging to rack up the points anymore so just make sure you go into it with your eyes wide open. One of the reasons I enjoyed it for work was because it allowed me to work with different teams across different geographies. And I was often amazed at cultural differences that were most times refreshing. Good luck!

25. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 12:31PM UTC

    i was told 40% and it turned out to be 80%. I was gone 40 weeks a year. Some of those weeks were flying home late Friday night and flying out on Sunday. At first I was ok, by the end (almost 3 years) I was so over it.

    Ask if this travel will be a day or two a week or the whole week. What are expected travel days. Consultants usually travel out on Monday's and travel home on Thursday afternoons.

    Ask if there is a corporate card. You should never have to use your own credit card. If you do use your own credit card - be sure to do expense reports whenever you hit a certain dollar amount. I had a friend who would wait until the end of the month. She had about 10,000 on her card that month and the company filed for bankruptcy and closed their doors.

    Make sure you get to keep the miles/points that you earn with the hotels, cars, airlines ,

    Weather is always an issue and flights are running fuller than ever before- so a bump or canceled flight may not allow the next flight home. You may have to wait a day or two. You will earn status and be higher in the re-book list, but again, it will be a while in a lot of cases.

    I had animals (dog and cats) - I luckily found a recent college grad looking for a very specific job in a very specific field. She lived with me for free. In return she took care of my animals. That included walking my dog at least 3 miles per day. We did establish a baseline on the variables - water and Electric. But I never charged her because I was traveling more than I thought and I was getting the better end of the deal including paying the extra above the baselines.

26. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

    I spent 10 years as a road warrior early in my first career. I earned over 2M frequent flyer miles on two airlines (nice because I lived in a "hub" city).

    A couple of things to consider: Since most airlines utilize hubs, if you live in one the flights are usually nonstop to other hub cities, and then there is a connector to a non-hub city. Where do you live, and where is most of the travel to?

    A three-hour flight requires at least five hours of travel time (depending on how far you live from the airport, and how far to the hotel/client site), so an important question to ask is when are you allowed to travel? Where I worked, we had to travel during non-work hours leading to some very late hours and driving in unfamiliar places after dark.

    What are the travel authorization and expense reimbursing policies? Are you provided a corporate credit card for flights and hotels or are you expected to use your credit for these? What is the turnaround on expense reports?

    If you live near rail service, is taking a train an alternative for some of the shorter trips? The East Coast has some great Amtrak service, which can be equal to or faster than flying, especially if you have a connecting flight.

27. Janet ValdezJune 10,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

    I currently travel about 60% of the time for my current job (some years more, some years less, depend on demand). Personally, I love it, while some colleagues don’t.

    I am single, with a cat who loves people, so she’s perfectly happy staying with my mom, uncle, or brother, whom all love her. I live extremely close to two airports, where I can pretty easily get in and out of the smaller one, and then take public transportation to the larger international airport.

    Sometimes I fly in for literally just a day, sometimes I can stay a week or longer in one location, and sometimes I have to go to multiple locations a week. Work takes care of all my travel details (although, I do tell them the flights and hotels I prefer), so rarely do I need a reimbursement, and I get a stipend for additional spending. So, the expenses part is fairly easy.

    I personally love it. I have traveled to so many destinations in the US that never would have occurred to me want to visit, and love it. I’m a big baseball fan, so whenever possible I catch a baseball game, allowing me to have visited 17 MLB ballparks. I love hiking trails and museums, so have visited so many unique ones across the country. I also have favorite ea shops, nails salons, and dining spots across the US.

    Because of all my traveling, I have high status on two airlines currently, but at my peak I had 3. I can use those points for personal travel, but can also help family out with those points, like when I paid for my aunt, cousin, and myself to travel across the country for my cousin’s graduation (and because of my top status I got great seats). And when I need a rental car for personal travel, I get discounts, upgrades, and sometimes free rentals.

    Traveling brings a lot of downtime, so while sometimes I do nap, I may use that time to work on personal projects, planning, reading, journaling, etc. I know some colleagues hate the downtime, feeling they can make more money if they stay put and work, I fully take advantage of that time, (and yes, I do consider napping taking advantage of the time).

    I have invested in travel cards with perks, so when I travel I have access to lounges with food, drinks, and some with additional amenities such as manicures, massages, showers, etc. These cards also give me higher status on some hotels, so I get perks there as well. All of this allows me to same money while traveling and make it more comfortable to travel.

    Those are all my pros. My cons are that sometimes, this lifestyle can be a bit draining. Since I keep myself busy, I don’t really get lonely, but that may be a factor for some. Although I love venturing to the unknown, sometimes that can backfire because you can’t find the things you need, or they are just not as expected. Again, while not pertaining to me, some of my colleagues don’t like being alone or leaving behind family and children for extended times. I also travel in a frugal way, so I tend to not lose money when I travel.

    In my case, there are more pros than cons, so I understand everyone agrees, and like I said, for the time being I do love it.

    As far as what questions to ask, here is what I would ask:

    1. Who books the travel? If your company has a travel department like mine, do you have a say in what they book? This can be important because not everyone likes to book their own travel, but you may still want a say in that.
    2. Do you get to keep the points/upgrades/etc. for personal travel? Some companies don’t allow this, and this is a big one for me.
    3. Do you get a travel stipend, or how does travel reimbursement work?
    4. Are they paying you for the travel time?

    That is what I can think of right now. I hope all of this helps.

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