How to Answer “Are You Willing to Travel?”

Are you preparing for an important interview for your dream job?

The secret to acing the interview is being prepared for all types of questions. Therefore it helps if you create and rehearse the best answers beforehand so that you can give them smoothly.

Even if it is not mentioned in the job description, you may find that your new job involves travel in some way. Therefore, the interviewer will make sure that you are ready and willing to travel if necessary.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at how to answer “are you willing to travel?” and its variations so that you breeze through the interview and land that job!

Preparing For How to Answer “Are You Willing to Travel?”

As with all types of interview questions, preparing the perfect answer is an art form. You need to answer as thoroughly as possible while also being concise. Keeping the following points in mind will help do this effectively and appealingly.

Do your research

Before applying for any position, you should read the job description carefully. Make sure you take note of the main duties and responsibilities. If travel is mentioned, only apply for the job if you are willing to travel.

Conduct research into the amount of travel that is usually required for the type of job you are applying for. If you are still not sure, try reaching out to people who are in the industry via LinkedIn or a similar platform. They should be able to give you an idea of the types and amount of travel that the job requires.

Discover the details

If the travel requirements are not outlined in the job description, be prepared to ask for information. Rather than making you sound unprepared, this will show a potential employer that you are interested in the job. Make sure the questions you ask directly relate to the job rather than the travel experience.

Be honest

It is best to be honest about how much travel you are willing to commit to in a certain period. Even if you are willing to travel regularly, you may need a certain amount of time to prepare. Being upfront about your needs right at the start can save you from an awkward situation later.

Highlight positive travel experiences

If you have traveled for work in the past, make sure you mention it in the interview. This will help to reassure the interviewer that you are an experienced traveler who is up to the challenge. Explain how you adapt well to travel and how it has helped you in your career or studies.

Demonstrate a commitment to the job

It is important to demonstrate that you are focused on the job rather than the travel aspect. Regardless of where you need to travel for work, you are being sent somewhere on company time. Therefore, your job should always be your main priority.

Talk about networking

Traveling for work often involves meeting new people and making business connections. Therefore, the hiring manager is likely to be looking for candidates who have strong communication skills. Talking positively about your experiences at networking events will indicate that you can do this easily.

Mention any limitations you have

If certain factors in your life limit how much you can travel, it is best to mention them. It could be the case that you cannot travel on weekends because you have to take care of children or parents. If the employer is aware of your limitations from the start, they may be able to work with and around them.

Things To Avoid Saying

In many cases, knowing what not to say can be just as important as knowing what to say. It is important to remember that the interview is your chance to make a positive impression that hopefully leads to a job offer. Unintentionally saying the wrong thing in the interview can create a bad impression and ultimately cost you the job.

Lying about your availability

If you have no intention of traveling or are unable to do so for any reason, do not apply for the job. If you find out during the interview that travel is the main requirement, it is best to be honest. This is especially important if the interviewer is ready to offer you the job.

Don’t focus too much on your lack of availability

If you are prepared to travel for work, you may have certain restrictions and limitations. However, spending too much time talking about your limitations could be a red flag to employers. Briefly mention your availability situation and explain that you may be able to be flexible on certain occasions.

Mentioning negative travel experiences

It is important to remain positive throughout the entire interview. Mentioning past negative travel experiences will make the interviewer question whether you are really prepared to travel. It can also indicate that you are not really as comfortable with traveling for work as you claim.

Being too enthusiastic about travel

However, being too enthusiastic about traveling can also make the interviewer feel that you see the experience as a vacation. If they mention particular locations and destinations, avoid talking about tourist attractions and day trips. It is important to keep the conversation professional and focused on work at all times.

Being noncommittal

It is important to give a clear and definite answer to this question. If you do not really want to have to travel for work, it is best to just say so. Giving a non-answer will not reveal anything to the interviewer and is likely to make them think that you do not take the job seriously.

Important Questions To Ask

There are various reasons why a company needs you to travel for work. In many cases, it can be unclear from the job description exactly what the travel involves. Here are some key questions that will help to determine if it is worth your time.

The travel percentage

In the job description, a certain travel percentage may have been mentioned. However, the amount of time that you spend traveling could vary from week to week or month to month. It is important to establish during the interview when you would be required to travel to make sure it works for you.

Who pays the expenses?

The last thing you want is to get stuck with a large bill if you are traveling for work. There are many different types of expenses that you are likely to incur while traveling for work. These include gas if you are driving, food, and the cost of hotels if you travel for more than one day.

In most cases, the company should reimburse you for your travel expenses. In other cases, they might give you a company credit card to use while you travel. Asking about the expenses shows that you are a detail-orientated person who has given the issue some thought.

The type of travel

Make sure you understand what type of travel you will be expected to do. If you mainly travel by plane, will you be able to choose your seat? Will you be expected to drive to various locations, and if so, will you be expected to use your own car.

Also, find out if you will be required to stay overnight at certain locations. If so, where would the company prefer you stay, and do you have any input in the decision? If certain trips last for more than one day, try to find out the average length of the trips.

How much time will be spent on the road?

In addition to spending a long time away from home, the trip may require a lot of driving. Try to find out roughly how much time you will spend on the road during the interview. This is especially important if you are not comfortable driving long distances.

Is it open to negotiation?

If you are not particularly interested in traveling, it may be possible to reduce the amount of time. Many companies are willing to make concessions for the perfect candidate. Rather than trying to negotiate the travel percentage during the interview, simply find out how flexible it is.

More Traveling For Work Options

Can you imagine taking to the skies and traveling as your job? Well, then why not consider working for an airline as a flight attendant!

Just check out my wide selection of opportunities such as the Delta Air Lines Application, Emirates Application, American Airlines Application, Qatar Airways Application, United Airlines Application, my Hawaiin Airlines Application, Japan Airlines Application, Southwest Airlines Application, Alaska Airlines Application, Ethiad Airways Application, as well as my US Airways Application in 2023.

Additionally, we’ve also put together a few airline interview guides such as the United Airline Interview Questions, Delta Interview Questions, our Southwest Airlines Interview Questions, and our American Airlines Interview Questions.

If you’re traveling for work, you’ll need the right kind of luggage. So, take a look at the Dakine Split Roller (Black, 110L), the Rolling Laptop Bag, the Mobile Edge Professional Rolling Laptop Case, the Travel Backpack, Flight Approved Carry on Hand Luggage, the Wenger Luggage Granada Pro, the Samsonite Casual Wheeled Laptop Overnighter and the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Upright Luggage all available online today.

Lastly, if you have a criminal record, you may want to check up on Can A Felon Become A Flight Attendant and Does The TSA Run Background Checks before moving forward.

Final Thoughts

Depending on the conditions, traveling for work can either be exciting or a chore. Therefore, it is important to make sure you know what you are getting into before committing to the job. Remember that if you agree to something during the interview, the interviewer will expect you to stick to it.

If you are not entirely sure whether the travel aspect of the job is for you, take some time to think about it. It is best to be positive and enthusiastic during the interview without actually committing to anything.

Also, if you do receive a job offer, be aware that the travel commitment may have changed in some way, either for the better or for, the worse, so be prepared.

All the very best and safe travels!