I am hearing from so many tour directors, both new and experienced. I want to encourage you to use this area for networking. I know you'll be able to help each other out with challenges, hiring, resources and encouragement. Some of you are working for or will be working for the same companies. (I won't share your personal information without your permission.)
Do you have a special skill? Language skills? Sports? Interest? Location? Destination? City tours? Tour Directors are the best source for finding new or additional employment.
If you ever post anything you want changed or deleted, let me know. I can go into the blog file and help you out.
Cherie
16 comments:
I just returned from an orientation in Washington DC. EF Smithsonian is hiring a lot of newbie TDs to help with their presidential inauguration tours in January. They need 170 TDs, for 6000 kids! They're having another orientation in December. If you're interested in standing in the mall with a million other people in potentially freezing weather and managing 55 kids, please inquire at eftours@ef.com. It's a good way to get our collective feet in the door! Good luck :-) ...Elizabeth
6000 kids?!! If you can do that Elizabeth, regular tours will be easy. It's great training for DMC work and tours.
Thanks for helping out others with the information.
I just received a posting from A&K with their North America tours. It's interesting because they are mainly an international tour operator. It may offer more opportunities for US, Canada and Mexico Td's. They are very upscale so they may require experience.
Here's the website: http://www.abercrombiekent.com/index.cfm?navid=14.1&brid=162&akcmp=ENARM08E
Hello Elizabeth,
My name is Don I sent an email to you last week . I was hoping to introduce myself to you at the Access Destinations event in Anaheim.
I'm curious as to what this EF Smithsonian event in Washington D.C. is about. I believe you live in California so I guess they fly us to D.C.?
Don
Hi Don:
I didn't receive an email from you. I would have responded! Try again.
When I interviewed with EF (about 45 minutes on the phone), they told me those living on the East Coast get dibs for leading tours in DC, etc. However, they hired me the next day to lead one of the presidential inauguration tours in January. Probably because they need all the help they can get! It's a really big operation.
At the orientation, there were about 40 folks from all over the U.S., newbies and seasoned TDs. I don't know if I'll get assigned spring tours, but I have a hunch if I do well in January, they may throw me a bone(s)! Contact Kristin Betts at EF at ea.tourdirectors@ef.com to see if they need more help in January.
Elizabeth
Thanks for all of your help Elizabeth.
Hello Elizabeth,
Nice chatting with you last week. I sent my resume and recieved this reply:
Friday, November 07, 2008
Hi Don,
Thank you so much for your interest in EF, Smithsonian Student Travel and our Tour Director position. Unfortunately at this time we are no longer recruiting for Inauguration.
Pitty it sounds like a blast
Don
Cherie,
I would be interested in finding out the dates and particulars about the December 2008 training tour.
Brandy
bsingleton00@hotmail.com
Cherie,
I would be interested in finding out the dates and particulars about the December 2008 training tour.
Brandy
The next training tour won't be until next year, but I'll be sure to let you know Brandi.
Hi Cherie found this!
Don
Airport Representative
Location: MSP, MN
Last Updated: 11/19/2008
Job Description:
The Mark Travel Corporation, recognized as a leader in the business of making vacation dreams come true, is seeking an Airport Representative in Chicago. Come work with an experienced team, committed to creating the best possible “end-to-end” experience for our vacation customers.
The Mark Travel Corporation provides leisure vacation packages to over 200 destinations worldwide. We are the company that the world’s leading airlines and hoteliers trust to manage their vacation brands and take care of their customers. We hire top talent to create the best products and deliver the highest level of customer service. The strength of our company is outstanding people caring about the people we serve. If you strive for excellence and have a high level of integrity, we’re interested in you!
The Airport Representative meets all arriving/departing TMTC Vacation clients at the aiport and/or hotels, arranging and ensuring that their travel arrangements are meeting or exceeding their expectations. Some travel industry experience is preferred.This is a part-time position only and is located in Chicago.
Essential Functions:
Maintain excellent customer service satisfaction levels by fulfilling the End-to-End vision of The Mark Travel Corporation.
Board all arriving flights, welcoming our clients. Inform the passengers of return departure information, directing them to the appropriate baggage claim area and available ground transportation.
Maintain daily activity logs.
Process all standby clients (if applicable).
Service of clients in the event of airline flight delay.
Requirements:
High School diploma required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Good organizational skills and time management.
The ability to work a variety of hours, early morning and late night.
Detail-oriented.
Independently motivated, but willing to work as a team member.
Benefits at a glance (part-time):
Vacation and Holiday Pay (if working on holiday)
Travel Opportunities
Team Member Referral Program
Wellness Program
http://www4.recruitingcenter.net/clients/marktravel/publicjobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=11301&esid=az
Thanks Don. I'll share this with my class too. I know I have at least one student in Chicago.
And Cherie, I saw this, though I can't determine if it is just for European applicants:
BUNAC Tour Guides in USA
Experience the real America by working as a tour guide in the summer of 2009!
Gain international work experience and make loads of new friends on BUNAC's Work America programme. Take virtually any job, including tour guide work, anywhere in the USA for up to 4 months followed by an extra 30 days to travel around this awesome country.
Working as a tour guide is just one of the possibilities open to you on this flexible programme. Your summer could be spent wrangling on a Colorado ranch, lifeguarding on a Californian beach or waitressing in a New York cafe. Find these exciting jobs and hundreds more by using BUNAC's exclusive Work America Job Directory. Overseas summer internships are also possible if you're looking for work related to your studies.
When the work is done, you could find yourself on the ultimate road trip taking in stunning scenery such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Yellowstone; not forgetting the bright lights of world-class cities such as New York, Boston or Chicago.
Ann in Atlanta
FYI Don was hired as a cruise line Port Lecturer for Russia, China and Asia. I'm sure he is doing a great job.
FYI Elizabeth was also hired as a Port Lecturer. She will be starting out in Southeast Asia. Since she has a degree and background in production, I'm sure her lectures will be great.
Check out www.tripitini.com. It's a relatively new social networking site for Travel & Tourism industry professionals, as well as for people who love to travel.
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