Some schools announce the graduating class in industry publications and arrange interviews with employers who contact the school. Others simply post job notices and leave it to students to respond. All jobseekers should check the classified section in newspapers and travel magazines, make direct application to travel agencies, and register with the component of the local office of the California Employment Development Department. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank . Click Right facing arrow to replay the Video, Speaker Icon to control Sound.
Most employers prefer applicants with previous travel agency experience, but some hire trainees.
At least some knowledge of basic operations is required. Agencies in which ticket sales and reservations are a major portion of the work often hire former airline ticket or reservation agents. Vacation-oriented agencies, and others in which the agents' role as travel advisor is paramount, prefer applicants who are familiar with the standard agency reference books and popular tourist areas. They must have the ability to evaluate as well as sell a packaged cruise or tour. These agencies may hire graduates of travel training programs who have had instruction in all of the basic skills.