Rewards Travel Rule #1: “Do your homework.”
Applying for this role had a lot of parallels with my typical travel-planning strategy.
TPG was kind enough to provide the guidelines for candidates applying to write for The Points Guy. With those rules in mind, here are 12 considerations I kept in mind as I prepared my application:
I began planning my application within an hour after seeing the open call: Much as if I were creating a packing checklist, I wrote out all 12 requirements, with sub-categories listing every step I needed to complete within that category. (I’m not embarrassed to admit that I color-coded my strategy map.)
I reached out to a number of contacts whose expertise in site design, editing and luxury travel helped me pull together a full-blown site, with supporting pages, in less than 48 hours. This is where my planning ahead really paid off: I wasn’t able to begin working on this project before Saturday morning, but knowing what type of help I would need ahead of time gave me enough time to reach the right contacts in time so they could fit me into their busy schedules.
Trends, styles, content and communication purposes vary across publications, so I took the time to create some new examples of “creative, intelligent” writing to show how I can easily adapt my writing style to reflect the TPG voice.
I made my application more personal by including visuals that put a face to my name, mirroring TPG’s many posts that include photos of destinations or screenshots of itineraries.
I spent my entire weekend holed up over this application project, but it honestly was some of the best, most challenging fun I’ve had in a while. I’ve loved a lot of things I’ve done, but this job offers the chance to do what I love.
And on the flip side, I’m a fun person to work with. (Don’t take my word for it - take my coworkers' word for it) I’m a people person and a project-oriented person, and my enthusiasm for both shows through in my work.
Just so you know, I'm also a lot of fun to travel with.
Although the application asked candidates to state monetary expectations, I truthfully care more about the role being the right fit for both the TPG team as well as for myself. So even though it may look like I didn’t answer the question as asked, I put a lot of thought into my response. Just as Brian summarized in Susan’s Reader Success Story, many of the most meaningful forms of compensation have nothing to do with financial value.
I’ve been a professional photographer for over a decade, and have also worked in sales for the past four years. While neither field may suggest much overlap with writing, every image on my application page was photographed by yours truly, and conveys the proverbial “thousand words” of experience that my globe-trotting has brought me.
Studies show that people first “buy” the person, then the concept, and being able to visually portray my love for travel will strengthen the message of my posts.
A lot of my daily reading material focuses on entrepreneurial strengths and considerations. One theme continues to rise to the surface: The best employees are not always the most qualified candidates who already know everything. Instead, the additions who best complement an existing team are the ones who have proven resilience, adaptability and a keen command of their existing work.
In the world of points and travel, where what we knew yesterday may no longer be true tomorrow, the skill-set I’ve built across multiple industries has taught me the power of asking the right questions, and knowing how to effectively leverage that information.
In 2013, Mic reported that 64% Of Americans Have Never Left The United States.
As a Third Culture Kid, I find this statistic at once sad and disturbing, because it highlights our disconnect from the rest of the world.
My career post-college has been rewarding, yet leaves me feeling stifled on the freedom-and-flexibility front. I’m actively taking steps to change what’s within my control (by applying for this job!), and want to share that active energy with everyone around me.
TPG exists only because Brian took his personal passion to the next level. Today, ThePointsGuy.com serves as a tool to connect millions of people who share that love not just of monetary gains or savings, but for maximizing opportunities to live life to the fullest.