Tour guide is a great career choice for people who like to travel, enjoy being around people, and able to do many things at once. If you have such attributes, start looking for job opportunities as a tour guide from the internet or local information. Your chances of getting hired are greater if you have a professional certificate or degree. Once you get a job, be prepared to take on the challenges of this fun and unique position that can sometimes be exhausting.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Finding Opportunities
Step 1. Search for various job vacancies on the internet
Tour guides work in parks, historic buildings, tour companies, cruise ships, and many other places. Consider the place you like best. Narrow the search to that position.
To get started, enter “Become a tour guide on a cruise to the Caribbean” in the search engine. Then, you can browse job options by different companies, requirements, and salaries
Step 2. Take a trip to see what you like
In an effort to decide where you want to work, take various tours. Head to museums and historic buildings in your area, and take a sightseeing tour by bus. Take note of the pros and cons of all the work.
- Maybe you need to set a budget for traveling because it can sometimes be expensive. Budget for one tour every two weeks or so. When you're looking for a job, it's a good idea to take a trip instead of eating out or engaging in other entertaining activities.
- Invite friends and family for a trip. They can state what they like and don't like so you can be a better guide once you get the job
Step 3. Write down your thoughts on the tours you were on
Make sure you bring a notebook to write down your experiences. You can refer to that note again when considering a job offer. Notes can also help develop your own distinctive driving style.
Step 4. Check the tour guide association website
Usually, tour guides are gathered in certain organizations. The organization helps tour guides advance their careers and promotes the tour guide profession as a positive aspect of international tourism. Organizations can help you find educational opportunities and provide job vacancies.
Look for information on the website of the Indonesian Tour Guide Association, or tour guide associations around the world. Try visiting
Step 5. Visit a travel agency to request a brochure
A travel agency may partner with a travel company for advertising. Pick up their brochure, and ask what tour companies they recommend to clients most often. Contact the best employers based on the information you find in the brochure and ask if they have any job openings.
Be aware that travel agents may recommend certain companies they work with even if that company has problems. Make sure you do your own research by searching the internet for information or visiting the company's office
Step 6. Contact the major tour companies in your area
If you live in a big city, there may be a tour company close by. Contact them via email or phone, and ask if there are any vacancies. Local opportunities are a great start to a career as a tour guide.
- You can also search for job vacancies on the internet as many advertise vacancies on their websites.
- If you want to be a tour guide in hopes of traveling for free, then local work might not be your favorite option. Remember that working at a local tourist spot can help fill out your CV and gain experience without ever leaving your comfort zone. You can always find work traveling to other regions or parts of the world while working in your own city.
Method 2 of 3: Getting a Job
Step 1. Take the necessary tests
Many cities and countries require tour guides to pass a test before being able to guide guests. Some travel companies want you to pass the test before applying for a job. Find out if your area requires such a licensing test, and pay the fees required to take it.
- You can also look up test details, study guides, and registration information online. Try searching for “professional tour guide permit test in Bandung” to find everything you need to prepare for the test.
- Take the test seriously. If it fails, you have to pay again to redo.
Step 2. Take training to gain experience and create contacts
Find out if professional tour guide associations and groups offer professional courses for aspiring tour guides. The course teaches public speaking, tourism and tourism industry terminology, leadership and teamwork, and other skills useful for tour guides. They will give you a certificate after you finish the program.
- Make sure you sign up for the course for a tour guide, not a director. The director or caretaker is in charge of logistics and management, while the guide leads the group of guests and provides information about the places guests visit.
- In the program, you can meet people who are involved in the world of tourism. Teachers can connect you with people looking for guides.
Step 3. Take courses in relevant fields to broaden knowledge
If you live near a university or job training, check to see if they offer courses relevant to your goals. If there are language, leadership, hospitality and/or tourism courses, apply. The course will enrich your CV and increase your chances of getting a job as a tour guide.
Make sure you have the time and money to take the course. If you are currently working full time, look for courses in the evenings
Step 4. Get a degree in hospitality or tourism if you can afford it
While a degree is not a guarantee for employment, employers know that you have basic travel skills. If you're still in school and want to become a tour guide, consider majoring in tourism.
Step 5. Apply for jobs over the internet or in person
After selecting several companies, fill out the form they provide or send your own cover letter. Provide contact information, work experience, references and CV.
- Companies with good reputations will usually check the background of candidates before hiring them.
- If the employer is interested after seeing your application, they will contact you for an interview before making a job offer.
Step 6. Be prepared to answer specific questions
Tour companies want candidates to demonstrate readiness to become tour guides. The questions are designed to find out how you handle a crisis, see if your personality is right for a guide, and make sure that you are interested in working as a tour guide.
An example of a question would be, “What would you do if the bus broke down?” or “What made you interested in becoming a tour guide with us?”
Step 7. Accept the best offer given
If you are lucky enough to receive several job offers, make a list of pros and cons. Consider location, hours worked, and salary. Decide what job provides the best balance between fun and financial aspects, and choose that job.
Method 3 of 3: Facing the Challenge
Step 1. Enjoy the company of many people at work
The tour guide is a sociable person. Get ready to answer seemingly endless questions, deal with difficult personalities, and lead groups of people in interesting places and locations. You have to be cheerful and fun at work.
Maybe you need to schedule some alone time during the holidays to balance your work schedule
Step 2. Absorb and memorize a lot of information
Your main task is to provide interesting facts about the places visited. Learn about these places. Look for information from companies, regional libraries, and the internet to expand knowledge.
- Guests will ask things that are a bit off topic. The ability to answer will impress them and make you a better guide.
- If you don't know the answer to a question, be honest. Say that you're not sure, but that you want to find out and find the answer as quickly as possible.
Step 3. Take quick action when things go wrong
When coordinating people, travel plans, and visits, there are many possibilities for crises. Don't panic if a guest is sick, the bus breaks down, or the park closes without information. One of your tasks is to think quickly and deal with unpleasant situations.
You can contact the company for help, but also be level-headed. You are the leader of the guest group, and they expect guidance from you
Step 4. Prepare to be a freelancer
One of the toughest aspects of being a tour guide is only being hired as a temporary worker. If you live in a country that provides health insurance through your employer, you may need to get private insurance. You are also responsible for keeping employment and tax records.
Step 5. Place your needs at the bottom of the list after the needs of the guided guest
Remember that your guests are on vacation, and you are working. Just do it to make them happy and safe. Focus on them during your working hours.
This may be difficult if you guide guests in a beautiful and relaxing place, but hold on. You get paid to take them there
Step 6. Know the physical requirements required
Tour guides must often get up and walk. You must be physically fit and healthy to keep up with the rhythm of this active work.
Step 7. Learn how to tell a story to make the facts more interesting
To make your tour feel lively and engaging, tell us a few things. Don't just list names, dates, and events. Give guests something interesting by telling short stories in various places visited, complete from the beginning, middle, and ending to the climax.
- Make sure that you and your guests respect the environment. You are responsible for enforcing the rules.
- Deal with guests when directing and speaking to them.
Tips
- If you're looking for work in a country where you don't speak an official language, learn the language by taking courses or using language learning software.
- Take first aid and CPR training. Certain jobs may not require those skills, but as a tour guide, you should know what to do in an emergency situation. The training also makes the CV even more impressive.
Warning
- Realize that even if you are on vacation, you are not on vacation yourself. Most of your time will be spent working.
- As a tour guide, your working hours may be long. The place may be interesting, but make sure that you are able to work with a tough schedule.
- Be aware that most work as a tour guide is seasonal. This means that you don't have consistent work in one location. However, if you don't mind traveling, you can always go back and forth around the world.
