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10 gap year adventures that will help you bag your dream job

AS A-LEVEL results day looms we reveal 10 incredible trips you can do on your year out.

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GOALS: Almost 40% of employers are more likely to employ someone who has been on a gap year(Image: GETTY )

With results day tomorrow, school and college leavers across the country will be contemplating their next steps.

Taking a gap year is a popular choice, but some parents worry that it's a waste of time. However, a whopping 39% of employers would be more likely to take on someone who had travelled during a gap year.

But research by Booking.com, revealed that the right type of gap year is key to increasing future job opportunities.

Working multiple temporary jobs in various cities around the world is the most appealing type of gap year to employers.

While travelling to other countries to do volunteer work or charity work is also regarded as favourable.

From sea turtle conversation in Costa Rica to spiritual tour sin Nepal, here are 10 stunning gap year options that will make you irresistible to future employers.

1. Building a school in Africa

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TRAVEL: Spend your gap year doing something to help others(Image: GETTY )

With many options available in Africa, such as building a school or helping to renovate hospitals or homes for one week to 12 months, you can combine your work with travelling to nearby places such as Tanzania or Mount Kilimanjaro.

Industry employability: Engineering and manufacturing, environment and agriculture, science and pharmaceuticals.

*** Top 20 party destinations in the world ***

2. Teaching English in Asia

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ACHIEVEMENT: Teaching can be very rewarding so it is an ideal job to take up(Image: GETTY )

Teaching English through courses such as TEFL is highly rewarding, plus 32% of employers would choose someone that has travelled to another country to do this type of work.

Industry employability: Creative arts and design, social care, teaching and education.

3. Island hopping in Japan

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HOLIDAY HAVEN: Island hopping will give you an opportunity to explore different cultures(Image: GETTY )

Around 18% of employers are looking for candidates that have travelled to unusual countries to learn about their culture.

By travelling to Japan, you can explore numerous different cultures.

From the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to skiing in the mountains, to seeing the truly interesting sites of Hiroshima.

4. Padi diving in Thailand

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STRESS FREE: Asia is one of the top 5 places to travel on your gap year(Image: GETTY )

Rich in culture, Asia is seen as one of the top 5 places to travel on your gap year. When touring the islands, visit Koh Toa to gain your diving qualification something that will stay with you forever.

Although not the most preferable choice of gap year, 10% of employers would actually look to hire someone that has travelled to another country to go to the beach and relax.

Maybe this is down to a sense of calm and lack of stress a chilled out holiday brings?

5. Sea Turtle Conversation in Costa Rica

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OCEAN: Don't miss out on the sea turtle conversation in Costa Rica(Image: GETTY )

With direct flights scheduled by Thomson and British Airways to the fantastic Central American country, now is the time to visit Costa Rica. In between surfing, or perhaps learning Spanish, there are a number of marine conservation communities that welcome individuals, groups or students.

As a marine conversation volunteer, you will be able to take part in night surveys, releasing baby turtles into the ocean and monitoring nesting sea turtles, while making friends with like-minded people and immersing yourself in the culture.

6. Teaching football in Buenos Aires

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DREAM: South America is in the top five places to travel(Image: GETTY )

South America is seen as one of the top five places to travel to on your gap year to boost employability.

With this year seeing South America as one of the top sporting destinations, teaching football in one of the largest cities, combined with part time office work to earn a decent salary is a balanced approach to a gap year that will boost employability in hospitality, sport and leisure roles.

Industry employability: Hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism

7. Doing a ski season in the Swiss Alps

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ADRENALINE JUNKIES: Thrill-seekers will love riding the icy slopes(Image: GETTY )

Through working on a ski season in Europe, students are able to not only experience the thrills of riding the slopes but also how to work as a team in a chalet, learning how to cook and clean to a high standard for guests.

Alternatively, through working at a hotel, shop or bar, candidates are likely to understand the importance of great customer service.

8. Interrailing in Europe while learning a language

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MAPPED: Mapping your way round Europe could be the way to securing a job(Image: GETTY )

Europe was chosen as the continent to visit which most increased a candidates employability (32%).

Plus, travelling to multiple European cities with friends was seen as one of the top five types of gap years as ranked by employers.

Industry employability: During travels, students will find that if they learn the basics of a language, they will be far more employable in the long-run in industries covering creative arts and design, social care, teaching and education

9. Applying for an office internship in America

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ROAD TRIP: There are many global companies that do year abroad schemes(Image: GETTY )

Taking a gap year for pleasure is considered unappealing by just over two thirds of prospective employers (65%), so if you want to boost your employability whilst travelling, you might want to consider applying for an internship in an office abroad.

There are many global companies that do year abroad schemes, so its worth doing your research to find out who provides the best package.

Industry employability: Accountancy, banking and finance, business, law, consulting and management roles.

10. Spiritual tour in Nepal

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: You can use your gap year to find out more about yourself(Image: GETTY )

Spiritual gap year activities have mixed reviews but a significant 56% of 25-34 employers think that it would be appealing for a candidate.

Coming to work with a sense of om and a relaxed nature is obviously something that is deemed important for millennials, so why not try a spiritual tour of Nepal?

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