Thinking About Your Next Move?
Ten Tips for Luxury Travel Professionals Who Are Thinking About Their Next Move
Whether you’re actively looking for a new job in travel or just starting to wonder what else might be out there, here’s what I’d tell you, honestly, based on years of placing people in this industry.
Be honest with yourself about why you’re moving
Before anything else, get clear on this. Are you running towards something or away from something? Both are valid but they lead to very different conversations, and the clearer you are, the better I can help you. Candidates who know what they want tend to find it. Candidates who just want out of somewhere tend to make lateral moves they regret.
Don’t underestimate the power of your network
Luxury travel is a small world. The best roles in this sector rarely make it to the job boards, they’re filled through relationships, reputation, and the right conversation at the right moment. Think about who you know, who knows you, and whether you’re visible to the people who matter in your corner of the industry.
Keep your LinkedIn profile current, even when you’re not looking
This is the one I have to say to almost everyone. Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager looks at. If it’s two roles out of date, has no summary, and a photo from 2015, it’s not doing you any favours. You don’t need to be posting every week, but your profile should reflect who you are and what you’ve achieved right now.
Know your numbers
In luxury travel, commercial awareness matters enormously. When you’re asked about your achievements, be specific. Revenue targets hit, sales growth delivered, teams built, margins improved. Vague answers like “I managed a successful product portfolio” don’t give a hiring manager anything to hold onto. Numbers do.
Be realistic about salary, in both directions
Know what you’re worth and be honest about it. Underselling yourself is as unhelpful as overreaching. If you’re not sure what the market looks like for someone at your level right now, ask your recruiter, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Going into a process with unrealistic expectations wastes everyone’s time, including yours.
Prepare for interviews properly
Senior candidates in luxury travel are expected to come prepared. Know the business, know the product, know who their clients are and who their competitors are. If it’s a role you genuinely want, show it. The candidates who stand out are the ones who’ve done their homework and can hold a proper conversation about the company’s direction, not just their own CV.
Don’t apply for everything
This industry is too small for a scattergun approach. If you apply for every role that loosely fits, you risk being seen as unfocused — or worse, as someone who’s desperate to leave rather than genuinely interested in a specific opportunity. Be selective. Apply for the roles you actually want and make your application count.
Be open about your motivations
You don’t need to tell a prospective employer everything. But with your recruiter, honesty really does help. If you’re only open to certain locations, if there are companies you’d never work for, if you need to be earning X by a certain point, tell us. The more we know, the better we can advocate for you and protect your time.
Be patient, but stay active
Senior searches in luxury travel take time. Hiring managers are busy, processes move slowly, and the right role doesn’t always appear immediately. That’s normal. But don’t go quiet in the meantime. Stay engaged, stay visible, and keep the conversation open with your recruiter. The candidates who find the best roles are the ones who are ready when the right opportunity appears, not the ones who’ve gone to ground waiting for it.
Work with a specialist
A recruiter who knows luxury travel, really knows it, is worth their weight. They’ll tell you honestly whether a role is right for you, give you real insight into a business before you go in, and help you navigate the process in a way that protects your reputation as well as your time. The best roles in this sector rarely appear on job boards. They come through the right relationships. Make sure you’re in them.
If you’re thinking about your next move in luxury travel, whether that’s now or somewhere on the horizon, I’m always happy to have a conversation. No pressure, just an honest chat about where you are and what might be possible.
Just get in touch.
Call us on 01732 808313 or email us on executive@jaynepeirce.co.uk