4 ms·

Scared of having a gap on your CV after that long trip? Fear no more

40 points by carlospazceliz 11y ago

humbertomn 11y ago
Similar to https://www.worldpackers.com https://www.worldpackers.com which is a Brazilian startup.
chrismcb 11y ago
Wouldn't this be illegal in most countries? Most countries wont let you work on a tourist visa, and it is more difficult to get a working visa.
- hamhamed 11y ago
  Not necessarily, because it's work under the table (i.e you're not getting paid) meaning you're doing it for a friend/gift type of way
  - kenko 11y ago
    "under the table" work doesn't mean you're not getting paid, it means your pay isn't reported to the relevant tax authorities. That doesn't make it less illegal.
  - bdcravens 11y ago
    No, if you're being compensated, that's pay. Otherwise it smacks of escorts' "You're paying me for time, anything that happens between two consenting adults ..." wink wink nudge nudge
  - geomark 11y ago
    Working for free is still working. It usually requires the right kind of visa and a work permit to remain legal. Do it on a tourist visa at your own risk.
- thrownaway2424 11y ago
  You say "illegal", they say "disruptive"!
- idlewords 11y ago
  Yes, this is an effective way to get yourself deported
  - geomark 11y ago
    And many places it's a hellish experience because before they kick you out of the country you get to spend some time in an immigration holding center which tend to be rather horrifying accommodations. Unlucky enough to get nabbed before a long holiday weekend? 3 or 4 days packed in with all sorts of people awaiting deportation, confined to your one square meter of space, with a hole in the floor for a toilet, and food unfit for human consumption. All you get from it is a story for a blog post.
GavinMcG 11y ago
This sort of thing might turn you off: > We only select the best travellers to offer start-ups some great help. To quickly show us that you are one of the best, we kindly ask you to sign in with LinkedIn.
- zxexz 11y ago
  That alone was enough to make me close the page. No option to send a CV or anything, just a "Sign in with LinkedIn" button.
- song 11y ago
  Plus a linkedin profile only really shows if someone is skilled or not at presenting himself in a good light. It's not necessarily a useful skill for the startups in question.
- bdcravens 11y ago
  My initial impression is that it would be best for those who would be doing internships anyways, like students early in their career. Perhaps the idea is top-notch developers who want to travel and do a little consulting while they travel, but I suspect it'd turn into something that looks closer to a full engagement. If so, there's quite a disconnect between that kind of situation and working for free room-and-board, at least for a well qualified consultant.
- tomp 11y ago
  That's probably the worst possible way to select for good programmers. In fact, I'm guessing any kind of correlation they can find will be negative.
bdcravens 11y ago
"In return for volunteering help, companies offer the opportunity to add relevant work experience to your CV while you travel, plus free accommodation" Couldn't you just do low-end work via Upwork, Freelancer, or the like? What happens if the startup isn't pleased with your work mid-way through your time there? Seems this could be easily abused.
orthoganol 11y ago
As someone who has backpacked while coding, this is terrifying: > Backpack Consulting connects skilled travellers who want to discover the world with companies who are looking for specialized help. In return for volunteering help, companies offer the opportunity to add relevant work experience to your CV while you travel, plus free accommodation. Travelers who can code can still make a killing working remotely. There are tons of resources today to connect you with companies that are willing to do remote, and it's not hard to pick up $40-60/hr work on Freelancer or Elance if you are an English speaking Westerner (reverse discrimination is big on those sites).
- max-a 11y ago
  > There are tons of resources today to connect you with companies that are willing to do remote Could you please enumerate some of these resources?
  - rco8786 11y ago
    He did. Freelancer and Elance
  - bdcravens 11y ago
    elance.com, freelancer.com, upwork.com for highly competitive "off-shoring" style (but not all work there is terrible) WeWorkRemotely.com Quick pairing-style gigs: HackHands.com, AirPair.com, CodeMentor.com Email lists that aggregate freelance and remote work opportunities like LetsWorkshop.com
- contingencies 11y ago
  Agreed, this is scaremongering: I spent 7 years outside of the western workforce and don't feel it impacted my career in the slightest. Meanwhile, I spent four years working remotely all over the world making good money. This post really is a scam.
- jlg23 11y ago
  Yes, for us coders it is simpler. But think about marketing, design, customer relations, project management... There are a lot of jobs that are much harder to do remotely, especially when a lot of consulting is necessary. And for people who just got their degree, this might indeed be a great way to get their hands dirty on some real projects while seeing the world. Of course, nobody should, IMHO, agree to work 40h/week for accommodation only (my rule of thumb for choosing accommodations is: 1h of work should pay for the night). Last but not least: People who do this will have much easier access to locals (after all you share an office) and therefore a much more intense travel experience.
jlg23 11y ago
I like the idea very much. I have been traveling myself for 3 years now and have been envied by a lot of like-minded travelers who are not in the comfortable position to be able to work remotely for the same client all the time (zero acquisition, secure position). While it is really easy to find something, finding something in ones area of expertise is much harder - and "waited tables in Cambodia" really does not add much value to a UI-designer's CV. So yes, thumbs up and all the best to the project!
swagv 11y ago
Well this is not advertising spam
- bdcravens 11y ago
  There's a fine line, but it's considered acceptable to show off your startup here.
jitix 11y ago
I don't think anyone would like to work while traveling to see the world. For people who do, I think the only legal way would be for backpackconsulting to employ the traveler in their home country and have them do remote work. Even then I think most countries would require a business visa if the traveler is in direct contact with the client. I would be interested to know how the company plans to deal with it.
grecy 11y ago
I'm a Software Engineer and have taken multiple extended trips leaving "gaps" on my CV. I became a snowboard instructor and kayak guide for a couple of years, then worked for a couple as a programmer, then spent two years driving Alaska->Argentina, before working 4 years in IT again. Now I'm taking 3+ years off to drive around Africa. In my experience, "gaps" on my resume have not been an issue. In fact, I put that time front and center, to show my resourcefulness, ability to teach myself Spanish, think on my feet, etc. etc. I'm asked about it in interviews, and I've never seen it affect my chances negatively. While I have not climbed the corporate ladder like my friends I graduated with 10 years ago, I have not experienced any problems finding work because of "gaps" on my CV. I genuinely think that's a common myth created to stop people taking time off.
- anunderachiever 11y ago
  Didn't you also support Unicef in Kongo and helped fertilize endangered Rhinos in Tanzania? You must have forgotten about that - ah yeah, and the novels you wrote during your sabbatical while travelling down the Ganges on a house boat ...
  - grecy 11y ago
    I assume you're trying to call me out for lying? This is me - http://theroadchoseme.com http://theroadchoseme.com
jamesdsadler 11y ago
You are paid only in food and accommodation. This initially stuck me as terrible, but then I noticed that the company only hooks you up with startups local to where you are travelling. This is not remote work so do not expect 'back home bucks'. The requirement for a LinkedIn page is sub-optimal. Allow a Github login plus CV, maybe?
- grecy 11y ago
  It's also terrible when you're traveling outside the first world because food and accommodation are insanely cheap to the point they're almost free.
  - jamesdsadler 11y ago
    Probably not compared to the local salary, which you will not be paid more than I expect.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
DMVer2 11y ago
You we're on sabbatical. I've used this to describe time I took off in my earlier 30's to do various volunteer work and travel. Never an issue. Most folks look at it and say something like, "Cool, I should have done that"

Similar to https://www.worldpackers.com https://www.worldpackers.com which is a Brazilian startup.

Wouldn't this be illegal in most countries? Most countries wont let you work on a tourist visa, and it is more difficult to get a working visa.

hamhamed 11y ago
Not necessarily, because it's work under the table (i.e you're not getting paid) meaning you're doing it for a friend/gift type of way
- kenko 11y ago
  "under the table" work doesn't mean you're not getting paid, it means your pay isn't reported to the relevant tax authorities. That doesn't make it less illegal.
- bdcravens 11y ago
  No, if you're being compensated, that's pay. Otherwise it smacks of escorts' "You're paying me for time, anything that happens between two consenting adults ..." wink wink nudge nudge
- geomark 11y ago
  Working for free is still working. It usually requires the right kind of visa and a work permit to remain legal. Do it on a tourist visa at your own risk.
thrownaway2424 11y ago
You say "illegal", they say "disruptive"!
idlewords 11y ago
Yes, this is an effective way to get yourself deported
- geomark 11y ago
  And many places it's a hellish experience because before they kick you out of the country you get to spend some time in an immigration holding center which tend to be rather horrifying accommodations. Unlucky enough to get nabbed before a long holiday weekend? 3 or 4 days packed in with all sorts of people awaiting deportation, confined to your one square meter of space, with a hole in the floor for a toilet, and food unfit for human consumption. All you get from it is a story for a blog post.

GavinMcG 11y ago

This sort of thing might turn you off: > We only select the best travellers to offer start-ups some great help. To quickly show us that you are one of the best, we kindly ask you to sign in with LinkedIn.

zxexz 11y ago
That alone was enough to make me close the page. No option to send a CV or anything, just a "Sign in with LinkedIn" button.
song 11y ago
Plus a linkedin profile only really shows if someone is skilled or not at presenting himself in a good light. It's not necessarily a useful skill for the startups in question.
bdcravens 11y ago
My initial impression is that it would be best for those who would be doing internships anyways, like students early in their career. Perhaps the idea is top-notch developers who want to travel and do a little consulting while they travel, but I suspect it'd turn into something that looks closer to a full engagement. If so, there's quite a disconnect between that kind of situation and working for free room-and-board, at least for a well qualified consultant.
tomp 11y ago
That's probably the worst possible way to select for good programmers. In fact, I'm guessing any kind of correlation they can find will be negative.

bdcravens 11y ago

"In return for volunteering help, companies offer the opportunity to add relevant work experience to your CV while you travel, plus free accommodation" Couldn't you just do low-end work via Upwork, Freelancer, or the like? What happens if the startup isn't pleased with your work mid-way through your time there? Seems this could be easily abused.

orthoganol 11y ago

As someone who has backpacked while coding, this is terrifying: > Backpack Consulting connects skilled travellers who want to discover the world with companies who are looking for specialized help. In return for volunteering help, companies offer the opportunity to add relevant work experience to your CV while you travel, plus free accommodation. Travelers who can code can still make a killing working remotely. There are tons of resources today to connect you with companies that are willing to do remote, and it's not hard to pick up $40-60/hr work on Freelancer or Elance if you are an English speaking Westerner (reverse discrimination is big on those sites).

max-a 11y ago
> There are tons of resources today to connect you with companies that are willing to do remote Could you please enumerate some of these resources?
- rco8786 11y ago
  He did. Freelancer and Elance
- bdcravens 11y ago
  elance.com, freelancer.com, upwork.com for highly competitive "off-shoring" style (but not all work there is terrible) WeWorkRemotely.com Quick pairing-style gigs: HackHands.com, AirPair.com, CodeMentor.com Email lists that aggregate freelance and remote work opportunities like LetsWorkshop.com
contingencies 11y ago
Agreed, this is scaremongering: I spent 7 years outside of the western workforce and don't feel it impacted my career in the slightest. Meanwhile, I spent four years working remotely all over the world making good money. This post really is a scam.
jlg23 11y ago
Yes, for us coders it is simpler. But think about marketing, design, customer relations, project management... There are a lot of jobs that are much harder to do remotely, especially when a lot of consulting is necessary. And for people who just got their degree, this might indeed be a great way to get their hands dirty on some real projects while seeing the world. Of course, nobody should, IMHO, agree to work 40h/week for accommodation only (my rule of thumb for choosing accommodations is: 1h of work should pay for the night). Last but not least: People who do this will have much easier access to locals (after all you share an office) and therefore a much more intense travel experience.

jlg23 11y ago

I like the idea very much. I have been traveling myself for 3 years now and have been envied by a lot of like-minded travelers who are not in the comfortable position to be able to work remotely for the same client all the time (zero acquisition, secure position). While it is really easy to find something, finding something in ones area of expertise is much harder - and "waited tables in Cambodia" really does not add much value to a UI-designer's CV. So yes, thumbs up and all the best to the project!

swagv 11y ago

Well this is not advertising spam

bdcravens 11y ago
There's a fine line, but it's considered acceptable to show off your startup here.

jitix 11y ago

I don't think anyone would like to work while traveling to see the world. For people who do, I think the only legal way would be for backpackconsulting to employ the traveler in their home country and have them do remote work. Even then I think most countries would require a business visa if the traveler is in direct contact with the client. I would be interested to know how the company plans to deal with it.

grecy 11y ago

I'm a Software Engineer and have taken multiple extended trips leaving "gaps" on my CV. I became a snowboard instructor and kayak guide for a couple of years, then worked for a couple as a programmer, then spent two years driving Alaska->Argentina, before working 4 years in IT again. Now I'm taking 3+ years off to drive around Africa. In my experience, "gaps" on my resume have not been an issue. In fact, I put that time front and center, to show my resourcefulness, ability to teach myself Spanish, think on my feet, etc. etc. I'm asked about it in interviews, and I've never seen it affect my chances negatively. While I have not climbed the corporate ladder like my friends I graduated with 10 years ago, I have not experienced any problems finding work because of "gaps" on my CV. I genuinely think that's a common myth created to stop people taking time off.

anunderachiever 11y ago
Didn't you also support Unicef in Kongo and helped fertilize endangered Rhinos in Tanzania? You must have forgotten about that - ah yeah, and the novels you wrote during your sabbatical while travelling down the Ganges on a house boat ...
- grecy 11y ago
  I assume you're trying to call me out for lying? This is me - http://theroadchoseme.com http://theroadchoseme.com

jamesdsadler 11y ago

You are paid only in food and accommodation. This initially stuck me as terrible, but then I noticed that the company only hooks you up with startups local to where you are travelling. This is not remote work so do not expect 'back home bucks'. The requirement for a LinkedIn page is sub-optimal. Allow a Github login plus CV, maybe?

grecy 11y ago
It's also terrible when you're traveling outside the first world because food and accommodation are insanely cheap to the point they're almost free.
- jamesdsadler 11y ago
  Probably not compared to the local salary, which you will not be paid more than I expect.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

DMVer2 11y ago

You we're on sabbatical. I've used this to describe time I took off in my earlier 30's to do various volunteer work and travel. Never an issue. Most folks look at it and say something like, "Cool, I should have done that"