Boost your career – take a year out

For those graduating from university this year the job market certainly looks daunting, with the UK’s leading graduate employers having reduced their recruitment targets for 2009 by nearly 20 per cent and unemployment amongst the 16-24 age group at a record high*.

However, Flight Centre’s Round The World Experts is today releasing an around the world itinerary that has been specifically designed to provide the ideal mix of experiences and skills to impress potential employers.

Taking a gap year has always been popular for many university leavers, but it doesn’t have to be only sun, sea and cocktails. For graduates unable to find employment immediately, one option to consider is to take time out and boost their CV. A gap year can improve the employability of graduates by allowing them to gain transferrable skills such as leadership, team building, budgeting and negotiation while also providing a talking point for interviews.

Robyn Simper, Head of Marketing at Round The World Experts, said: “We understand that times are tough for recent graduates and that’s why we’ve put together a number of packages to appeal to those looking to enhance their CVs. Not only is it great value but it offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience while away.”

Daniel Elkins, Founder and Business Development Director at online CV provider, iProfile, commented: “The graduate job market is slow, but there are ways to make your CV stand out and being able to demonstrate a range of skills gained from taking a year out is one of them. In a crowded market, being able to show independence and determination and can make a real difference to a CV.”

CV Booster itinerary:

World Expedition - £999 including taxes
London - San Francisco (make your own way to) Los Angeles - Auckland (make your own way to) Christchurch - Sydney (make your own way to) Brisbane - Perth - Singapore (make your own way to) Bangkok - London.

Recommended tours and activities to boost your CV:

New Zealand: Adrenaline junkie
Show your adventurous side with a tour of New Zealand that involves sand dune surfing, black water rafting, zorbing, quad biking and bungee jumping. Employers will appreciate your sense of adventure, teamwork and bravery!

Thailand: Teach English and get a qualification whilst volunteering in the Thai community
This expedition takes participants to the beautiful Krabi Province of Thailand. From the start of the expedition, participants are immersed in a local community teaching English as a foreign language with the opportunity to become qualified teacher (TEFL) by the end of the five-week stay.

Employers look favourably on graduates who have spent time teaching abroad. As well as experiencing a different culture you will gain valuable leadership and communication skills.

Great Aussie Surfing Adventure
Learn to surf during this five day all-inclusive adventure. Enjoy a week packed full of surfing, exploration and relaxation. This is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in Australia's number one past time and add another skill to your CV.

On the Menu - Cooking in Chiang Mai
If you love food, indulge in a week long cookery course in the spectacular setting of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. The hands-on lessons at the stunning Lanna cooking school will be an experience to remember and provide you with another talking point for future interviews.

To book any of these deals, visit roundtheworldexperts.co.uk.

* According to BBC calculations based on ONS data, the unemployment rate among 16-24 year olds has risen to 19.1%, with about 928,000 people in that age range classed as unemployed. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8196549.stm)