The two pieces of recent good news from this ten-month journey to tour management is I landed two interviews, one of them resulting in being offered a second one in person in Wisconsin, but it's not until the latter part of April. The other led to a dead-end, with another candidate being offered the position. That's fine. I understand that happens.
But it doesn't deadened the fact this has been an overall frustrating journey thus far.
Many tour operators don't require a college degree. I have a bachelors. Many don't require any specific certification for being a Tour Manager/Director. I was certified by the one of the most respected guide academies under one of the best instructors in the business, augmented by the fact I graduated first. I've proven I can do the job.
So why has little changed in the first ten months?
One could point out the economy is the main culprit, but it's never that simple. To say it's only the economy pushes away any personal responsibility, and I know I've made some missteps.
My resumes and cover letters weren't good to begin with, yet those have drastically improved (enough to have a couple of tour operators show interest at least). However, maybe they're still not good enough for widespread attention. Maybe I just haven't captured interest. Maybe my work and travel experience are both lacking for many tour operators despite the fact I've been trained to do the job and that destination knowledge can be obtained rather quickly (if a company lists their expected qualifications and they exceed my current ones, I don't apply). Maybe my timing is off. Maybe I don't sound confident enough on the phone. Maybe my impatience and restlessness has been getting the best of me. Maybe I just haven't pushed hard enough. Maybe I've played it too safe when choosing which tour operators to apply to. Maybe I've been too careless.
Maybe it's a little bit of everything. It's a Rubik's Cube of questions that I need to clarify within, and hopefully I can figure it out soon. Hopefully, I won't lament on the answers I find, and instead learn from them. That's easier said than done though.
There is a small light at the end of the tunnel, and that second interview I landed is most likely the key. Both literally and figuratively, it's just another thousand miles away.
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