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4 Essential Packing Hacks for Your Next Travel Job
On top of great pay and the chance to get paid to explore America, traveling offers many benefits. And getting the most out of those opportunities means showing up relaxed, free of stress, and ready to jump in — and these 4 essential packing hacks will you do just that.
Getting started: How to plan for your travel needs
Before you start packing, you'll need to know how you’ll travel. Are you getting to your destination via plane, train, or automobile? The answer will make a big different in what you can bring.
For instance, if you’re driving, you can probably load up your vehicle with as many as suitcases you want, and even boxes and bins of clothes and household goods, too. If you’re traveling on the train or bus, you should be able to bring a couple of large bags.
But if you’re traveling by plane, your space suddenly becomes much more limited. It can be expensive to check bags, and many travelers prefer the speed and simplicity of bringing only a large carry-on. Either way, your first step before packing is to check with your airline to see how much you can bring.
Packing Hack #1: Get Organized
No matter how much luggage you're carrying, staying organized is absolutely critical to packing. And the best way to get organized is by keeping a list of essential items on your phone, where it's always easy to find and edit.
Of course, your list will depend on unique factors like your specialty, personality, and so on. But for the most part, you can break down the essentials into a system we call the “4 Cs” of travel packing:
- Contact info for important people, including emergency contacts, professional references, and anyone else you may need to reach quickly.
- Clinical essentials like stethoscopes, face masks, sanitizer, or whatever else you tend you need on the job.
- Chargers and other essential or hard-to-replace accessories for your phone or laptop. If you’re someone who likes to have access to your phone at all times, consider traveling with a portable power source. They’re especially helpful during an emergency, or in places with unreliable access to power outlets.
- Copies of your most important documents like licenses, certifications, diplomas, insurance info, and immunization records. You can take photos of these docs to keep on your phone, but you should also bring hard copies, too. Never carry the originals, though, which should be safely back home — ideally in a safe!
> Get Organized: Consider buying an organizer for your licenses and paperwork, and maybe another one for your laptop and phone.
Packing Hack #2: Make Your Checklist a Work in Progress
The more you travel, more you’ll understand just what is and isn't truly essential. And you can adjust your list accordingly, so each travel experience is even better than the last.
For instance, one of the most fundamental packing hacks is leaving out heavy stuff that's easy to buy later, like shampoo, lotion, or even bulky sweaters. This lets you save space and travel lighter (and with less stress).
However, you may also find that bringing some of those heavy or bulky items — like that favorite wool sweater, or certain hard-to-find cosmetics — is worth it for the happiness and peace of mind it provides. You'll know as you go, so it's important to think of your list as a work in progress.
Packing Hack #3: Use Packing Cubes & Organizers
Another key packing hack: You can save valuable bag space and improve your organizational skills at the same time with accessories like packing cubes, compression bags, cosmetics cases, and other organizers.
- Available in many shapes and sizes, packing cubes are usually machine washable, with zippers for easy access and mesh tops for easy inspection. Many are color coded for better organization. Here's a list of popular brands.
- Compression bags are designed to compress bulky stuff like sweaters and towels, which can be a huge space saver when you travel by air.
- Consider carrying your cosmetics and toiletries in a separate bag. Many are also designed to home use, fitting snugly in a drawer or hung from a towel rack.
- Keep your electronics in a separate bag (or backpack for your laptop), especially when you're taking carry-on luggage through airport security.
> Fruits, Nuts & Protein Bars: Don’t forget to pack snacks, especially if you’ve got a long flight ahead of you (and you’re not sure when you’ll be able to eat later).
Packing Hack #4: Roll with It!
Another packing hack: Maximize how much you can fit in your bag by rolling instead of folding your clothes. (As a bonus, this helps reduce wrinkles, too!)
Just watch a seasoned traveler pack a suitcase and you’ll know what we’re talking about. They usually not only roll their clothes for easier and tighter packing, but inter-fold smaller items into larger ones to really maximize their space. You can get a step-by-guide to this kind of packing here.
Travel Smarter with HealthTrust
Here at HealthTrust, it's our mission to provide you with amazing travel jobs as well as the tips you need to make the most of them. Stay tuned to the Engage Blog for more travel tips to come — or find your next travel job now by browsing the newly updated, fully transparent HealthTrust jobsite now!
