Taking the leap: How to quit your job

Taking the leap: how to quit your job

It may not seem like the best thing in the world to have to do but if you do decide to up sticks and move away you may have to face the daunting task of handing in your notice

I did what most people do in this situation: I googled it. And guess what, it really didn’t make it any easier!

Of course how you go about leaving all depends on your workplace, your boss might be super laid back, and the easiest person to approach about these things, or they might be the total opposite..

Of course the first thing to think about is the formal side of things, does your contract stipulate you must give a certain about of notice? Are there any formalities to get through? If you are really unsure then talk to a friend at work, or with your HR department and see if they can fill you in.

You may choose to go ultra formal, walk up 4 weeks before with your notice, and bob’s your uncle..

I however work in a very laid back and easy-going company. I decided to have an informal chat with my boss about 2 months before I was use to leave to fill him in on my plans. I put this off for about 2 weeks, but when I did it the relief was so amazing I couldn’t believe I hadn’t done I sooner.

For many of course it may not be as carefree as this, but making he decision and putting it into motion really does feel quite in powering. telling my team mates was the next step and was just as scary as I love the team I work with, but the support you get and the excitement they have about your plans and the fact that you are a lot braver than then will boost your confidence in your choice ten fold.

Think of it as a big plaster, just rip it off I’m one go. It will hurt a lot less!

But like I said, get clued up on the formal aspects. Know your rights, get your formal letter printed out and ready to go and then asses where to go next.. Informal chats, a team meeting, it really is up to you to judge and decide..but remember it won’t be as bad as you expect it to be! Honest.

Check out some notice templates here
Also be ware of your rights here

Work Abroad and Fund Your Travelling

Not sure that Au-pairing is for you? But you still want to get away and need a way to pay for your travels? Here are some top ideas of the best jobs abroad that let you travel as well as help  to fund your trip. 

Teaching

Is English your mother tongue?  Hoora! it’s time to pass on your cockney twange, Scottish slur or your Queeen’s English. Nearly every non native English speaking country has oppertuintes for teaching English. Usually a TEFL qualifaction is needed, but not always so this is worth a look for everyone. Some countries even have their own English teaching programmes, check out  TEFL or JET for more info, and get ready to do some marking!

Tour guide

Are you a people person? love thinking on your toes and calm under the pressure of 10 hungry Americans? Then tour guiding may be for you! You don’t need any qualifications for this, just a lot of patience  a head for info, superb organisation and a super  long lasting smile. A foreign language is a great bonus is this job, not 100% needed but you may struggle without one, and depending on your job terms and pay does vary. Check out www.eftours.co.uk or www.backroads.com to get you started.

Summer Camps

The USA and Summer camps go together like cake and jam (really well) getting into these summer camp schemes can be a little more tricky and time consuming as it’s a popular choice for lots of travellers looking for a paid break. You’ll be singing around camp fires, running activities and living in a log cabin, what could be better?  Board and lodgings are free, and you do receive some pocket money to fund you, but don’t expect to make millions on this one. Check back soon for a guest post all about camp america and why it could be for you

Travel Blogging

Ever thought about owning your own blog? Got an interesting travel story to tell, or just like writing? Owning your own blog can be a great way of earning income from advertising, guest blog posts containing links to external sites, as well as advertising, is the main way;  but be warned, a travel blog is hard work, and takes real commitment and time and money from it won’t be instant and may take anything up to a year for any real benefits.

Writing

Want something a bit less demanding? Check out Odesk, a site where external companies pay you to write, and not just about travel, there are writing jobs for everyone here, from casual blog style writing to academic reviews and more important stuff like food…

Seasonal Work

Not all about helping drunk Brits find the beast deal on Vodka shots in Magaluf (although this is an option if you fancy it!) Bar work, cafe work, as well as instructor work in Ski and adventure resorts is a great way to earn aboard if you are looking to go in peak summer months. Work on farms, picking fruit or helping with harvests is also a great idea, and lot’s of potential for free food! Check out some info about seasonal jobs here

I hope that gives you some idea of how to make money whilst travelling, these really aren’t your only options. There are so many ways to earn a living abroad, check out this list from skyscanner for a few more whacky ideas and check out this site if you want to go back to work after your travelling . And well, if you aren’t sure, just go, get on the plane and live the dream as a waitress  in a cocktail bar!

Do you have any other tips for those wanting to fund their travels? get in touch and let me know!

Taking The Leap To Travel.. & Why I Nearly Didn’t Do It

You’ve got a bit of money in your pocket, (or a bank hopefully), you find life is whizzing by, and so far all you’ve seen is a few sand dunes in Futerventura and lots of people being sick in Kavos. Everyone else is out there having a grand old time, and well, you aren’t. Why not? because you’re scared, a total worrier, comfort zone freak and the most un-adventurous person alive. Sound like you? Maybe. But this is me summed up,  albeit  in a rather long sentence.

I’d love to say that one day I woke up and thought, “sod it, I’m off”. But well my life doesn’t really work like that. I much prefer to drag things out in a rather painful way for myself not to mention my ever suffering family and friends. Constant reassurance, constant flashes and nightmares of ‘AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING!’ I know I sound like a barrel of laughs so far right? After a few months of feeling fed up, not to mention tired with the 9-5 I decided that I needed to do something…

I needed to see the world, do what others have been doing without thinking for ages, act 23 instead of 83.. so this is the start of my journey, I leave for 3 months in Italy on June the 10th, (I have people instructed to push me onto the plane if I resist) the following blog will update you on my adventure. How I can afford It. What I gave up , and what I’ll do when it’s all over.

Hopefully reading how scared I am about taking the leap will inspire you fellow worriers that It can be done,

If you want and need to go that much, you will, and you can

I look forward to sharing my travels with you!

Meg- The Unlikely Traveller