Backroads Trip Leaders: How to Apply

Lentine Zeller"Getting a job as a Backroads Trip Leader felt, at times, more exhaustive and thorough than getting an FBI clearance. But the process is entirely worth it - what a group of people! Our recent five-day 'staff ride' (for all Backroads employees) in Spain reminded me what an incredible group of people we work with - fun, outgoing, caring, open-minded, generous, hilarious and spontaneous!!!"

Lentine Zahler - Leader since 2010, Private Trips Consultant


What Do You Need to Get Started?

Before beginning the application process, please review all the information provided on the sidebar links.

  1. When you are ready to apply, fill out the application online . Please fill out this form only once, as duplicates may be flagged and deleted. If you have applied in a previous hiring season (i.e. prior to November 2011) please fill out an application again to activate your status in our database.

    2. arrow APPLY ONLINE NOW!


    For your application to be considered complete, and to be considered for an interview, we require the following:

  2. Resume/CV - Include the following required information in English:
    Education, employment history, travel experience (including: name of employer, dates of employment, position and responsibilities, reason for leaving, name and phone number of former manager)

  3. Your Driving Record/DMV Report/Releve d'Information de Vos Contrat(s) Automobile(s)
    Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the U.S., your local License Registry in Canada, or your Insurance Company in Europe to get a copy of your driving record. For Europeans, we will also accept a notarized government letter stating you have no driving infractions. If you have two or more moving violations on your record, please submit a written description of the violations along with your record. Please note: we are unable to consider you for the Trip Leader position if you have ever received a DUI/DWI.

  4. References
    Please attain two professional letters of reference written for you by supervisors from your most significant professional experiences. These letters should attest to the qualities, skills and experiences that qualify you for the Trip Leader position. As we may contact the supervisors directly, please include the reference's name, phone number and email address. Your references may be sent via email by you or by your supervisors; see instructions below. Please note: European applicants are not required to submit reference letters, however they can be helpful to advance your application in the process. If you are European and have a reference written in English, especially if it is from a North American reference, we welcome any supporting documentation to add to your application.

  5. Internal Referral (for applicants who know someone at Backroads)
    If you have an internal contact (someone who is currently or was previously employed by Backroads) please ask them to write a reference on your behalf. Internal referrals are highly recommended and may replace one letter of reference. Instruct your referring employee to contact the Hiring & Training manager to obtain the appropriate form.

To apply for the Leader position, these four documents must be emailed to: LeaderApplicants@Backroads.com, and can be sent singly or as a group. Please include your full name in the subject line. Example: Joe Smith, resume; Joe Smith, DMV report; Joe Smith, reference letter.

It's not necessary for you to send all your documents together at one time. We encourage you to send them in as you receive them so we may begin to process your application. Applicants are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis so it's to your advantage to send your documents sooner than later.

There is no need for you to follow up on the status of your application; when we receive your documents, we will acknowledge receipt via email. We follow up with every applicant with complete supporting documentation by phone or email. Note: Many applicants report that email from Backroads flows to their spam folder, so please check before assuming we haven't emailed you. Due to the volume of applicants it may take a few weeks to review your completed application, please be patient.

Congratulations on embarking on a new way of seeing the world and good luck in your quest to become a Backroads Trip Leader!

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