tour consultant ef

Join our team

At EF Go Ahead Tours, we make world travel easy. We want to empower travelers of all ages to get out there and experience something new on our guided tours. If you share this passion for opening the world, come work with us.

Perks & benefits

Generous vacation time.

Earn four weeks of paid vacation during your first year along with ten paid holidays and two floating holidays.

International travel

We go on tour once a year to ensure we fully understand our customer experience. Get your passport ready!

Market-leading benefits

Our package includes leading healthcare benefits, 401k with company match, and much more.

Affinity groups

Connect with your colleagues across offices and cultures. Our Employee run "EFinity" groups include Black@EF, LGBTQ+@EF, LatinX+@EF, API@EF, Accessiblility@EF, Jewish@EF, Faith@EF, Indigenous@EF and Parents@EF + more.

Professional development opportunities

Robust monthly calendar or trainings and workshops committed to your professional growth.

Unique & fun work culture

We were voted a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe!

Career opportunities

Our Sales Development Program is designed to accelerate the careers of high performing candidates and prepare them for leadership. Tour Consultants play a critical role in developing customer acquisition and retention strategies.

No open roles at this time. Stay tuned for more updates!

Customer Service

Traveler Support Specialists serve as the primary source of information to travelers after booking tours. Keen attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a creative approach to problem-solving are key to success on this team.

Boston Opportunities

Customer Service Specialist

Bilingual Customer Service Specialist

Denver Opportunities

This team is changing the way we do business and making travel happen. A group of designers, analysts, product managers, and engineers developing new and innovative travel experiences.

Manager of UX

Engineering

Senior Salesforce Engineer

Our incredible team of Creatives and Marketers set trends for the travel industry. Be a part of a crew that figuratively, and literally, takes you places.

Contract Video Editor

Associate Paid Media Manager

Operations [Zurich, CH]

Be a part of the team that turns travel dreams into reality.

• EU Passport or work visa? ✓
• Desire to work and live in Zurich Switzerland? ✓

These roles could be for you!

Noteable Roles

These unique opportunities don’t fit into any one bucket. Hopefully, you don’t either! Explore below and apply!

Although we list out what we generally look for, it’s possible we are missing other attributes and skills that you have that could make you a great fit.

Not based out of Boston or Denver but open to relocating for the job? Great! Check out these EF Blog posts on the most important things to know about living and working in Boston and Denver!

Not seeing the right position but still interested in learning more about EF Go Ahead Tours? Email us at [email protected] to connect.

Explore opportunities across EF Education First at careers.ef.com

Why choose EF?

Get to know us →

What makes us different →

Discover Responsible Travel →

Dive into our tours →

Keep exploring these tours.

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Stay on vacation? Don’t mind if we do.

Save up to $350 on tours, plus save an extra $50 with code EXT50 on tour extensions for 2025 bookings.†

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Grand Tour of Italy

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What Does an EF Education First Tour Consultant Do?

Find out what an EF Education First Tour Consultant does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as an EF Education First Tour Consultant.

EF Education First is a global education company that specializes in language learning, educational travel, and cultural exchange. They offer a variety of programs and services to help people of all ages learn new languages, explore new cultures, and gain valuable life experiences.

A Tour Consultant at EF Education First is responsible for helping customers plan and book their educational travel experiences. This includes providing information about destinations, helping customers select the best program for their needs, and providing support throughout the entire booking process. Tour Consultants must have excellent customer service skills and be knowledgeable about the company’s products and services. They must also be able to work independently and be comfortable working with people from different cultures.

EF Education First Tour Consultant Job Duties

An EF Education First Tour Consultant typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Provide exceptional customer service to all EF Education First customers, ensuring that their needs are met and expectations exceeded
• Develop customized tour packages for clients based on their individual requirements and budget
• Utilize the company’s resources to research destinations, attractions, accommodations, transportation options, and other services necessary to create a successful tour package
• Negotiate with vendors to secure competitive rates and discounts for clients
• Create detailed itineraries for each tour package, including daily activities, meals, and transportation arrangements
• Monitor client feedback and adjust tour packages as needed to ensure satisfaction
• Maintain accurate records of all bookings and payments
• Respond promptly to inquiries from potential and existing customers
• Provide pre-tour support to clients, such as visa applications, travel insurance, and currency exchange
• Remain up-to-date on industry trends and developments in order to provide informed advice to clients
• Assist with marketing efforts by creating promotional materials and attending trade shows
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop new products and services

EF Education First Tour Consultant Salary

The salary of a Tour Consultant at EF Education First is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s experience, qualifications, and performance. The company also considers the current market rate for similar positions, the local cost of living, and the complexity of the job when determining the salary for a Tour Consultant. In addition, the company may consider other factors such as the individual’s ability to work in a fast-paced environment and their ability to work with a diverse group of people.

• Median Annual Salary: $77,703 ($37.36/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $110,210 ($52.99/hour)

EF Education First Tour Consultant Job Requirements

To be hired as a Tour Consultant at EF Education First, applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in customer service, sales, or travel is preferred, but not required. Applicants must also have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Additionally, applicants must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. A valid driver’s license and passport are also required. Finally, applicants must be willing to travel domestically and internationally.

EF Education First Tour Consultant Skills

EF Education First Tour Consultant employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

International Travel: As an EF Education First tour consultant, you may be required to travel internationally to lead tours. This requires you to have knowledge of international travel, including how to navigate airports, how to communicate with people who speak different languages and how to navigate foreign transportation systems.

Foreign Language Proficiency: A foreign language proficiency can help you communicate with international students and other tour guides. It can also help you understand the culture of the country you’re visiting. For example, knowing a few phrases in Spanish can help you communicate with a student from Mexico.

Trip Designing: Trip designing is the process of creating itineraries for educational tours. This process requires extensive knowledge of the locations and attractions that are included in the tour. It also requires knowledge of the educational objectives of the tour and the interests of the students who will be attending.

Sales Experience: Sales skills can help you become a more effective tour consultant. As a tour consultant, you may be responsible for selling tickets to a tour, selling a tour experience and selling a tour experience to a group. Having sales experience can help you develop the skills you need to sell effectively, including active listening, empathy and persuasion.

Customer Service: Customer service skills allow you to interact with customers in a friendly and helpful manner. As a tour consultant, you may be the first person a potential traveler speaks to, so it’s important to be friendly and welcoming. You may also be responsible for answering questions about the tour and helping customers decide if the tour is right for them.

EF Education First Tour Consultant Work Environment

EF Education First Tour Consultants work in a fast-paced, customer-oriented environment. They are responsible for providing excellent customer service to clients, as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the tour. Tour Consultants must be able to work independently and as part of a team, and must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. They must also be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed. Tour Consultants must be able to travel to various locations to meet with clients and tour groups, and must be able to work in a variety of climates and environments. Tour Consultants must also be able to handle stressful situations and remain calm under pressure.

EF Education First Tour Consultant Trends

Here are three trends influencing how EF Education First Tour Consultant employees work.

Volunteer Tourism

Volunteer tourism is an emerging trend in the travel industry, and EF Education First Tour Consultants are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. Volunteer tourism involves travelers taking part in activities that benefit local communities or the environment while also experiencing a new culture.

EF Education First Tour Consultants can help their clients find meaningful volunteer opportunities abroad. They can provide advice on how to best prepare for a trip, what type of volunteering would be most beneficial, and how to make sure the experience is safe and rewarding. By understanding the needs of their clients and the potential impact of volunteer tourism, EF Education First Tour Consultants can create unique experiences that will leave lasting memories.

Group Travel

Group travel is becoming increasingly popular among EF Education First Tour Consultants. Group travel allows for a more immersive experience, as travelers can explore new cultures and destinations together. It also provides an opportunity to build relationships with other travelers and create lasting memories.

Group travel also offers cost savings, as tour operators are able to negotiate better rates on accommodations, transportation, and activities when booking in bulk. Additionally, group travel makes it easier for consultants to manage logistics, such as coordinating flights and transfers, which can be time-consuming when planning individual trips.

Guided Tours

Guided tours are becoming increasingly popular as a way for travelers to explore new destinations. EF Education First Tour Consultants are responsible for creating and leading guided tours that provide an immersive experience of the destination.

Guided tours allow travelers to learn more about the culture, history, and attractions of their destination in a safe and organized manner. As a tour consultant, it is important to understand how to create engaging experiences that will appeal to different types of travelers. Additionally, consultants must be knowledgeable about the local area and have excellent customer service skills to ensure that each traveler has a positive experience.

Advancement Prospects

Tour consultants who work for EF Education First have the opportunity to advance their careers by taking on more responsibility and working with more complex tours. As they gain experience, they may be able to move up to a supervisory role, such as a tour manager or a regional manager. They may also be able to move into a sales role, such as a sales representative or a sales manager. With more experience, they may even be able to move into a corporate role, such as a marketing director or a business development manager.

Interview Questions

Here are five common EF Education First Tour Consultant interview questions and answers.

1. Explain your strategy for handling multiple projects at once.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your ability to multitask, organize your time and meet deadlines.

Example: “I use a calendar app on my phone to keep track of all my appointments and meetings for each client I have. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t miss any important dates or events. In addition, I also use this calendar to schedule out my entire week so I know what tasks I need to complete each day. This allows me to plan ahead and ensure I’m meeting all my deadlines.”

2. Do you prefer working with adults or children?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a specific age group. If you do, they may ask more questions about your experiences to see how well you performed in those roles. If you don’t have experience working with either age group, consider discussing your ability to work with both groups and what makes you qualified for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with adults in my previous positions, but I enjoy working with children as well. In my last position, I helped organize an event that included both adults and children. I was able to use my communication skills to explain things to the parents while also entertaining the kids. This allowed me to show my flexibility when it comes to working with different age groups.”

3. Have you worked outside of your country before?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s experience and background. If you have worked outside of your country before, explain what it was like and how it helped you grow as a professional.

Example: “I’ve worked in the United States for my entire career, but I did travel to Europe when I was younger with my family. It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about different cultures and languages. I would love to work abroad again one day.”

4. What is one thing we can improve on as a company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re willing to provide constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on one specific thing and explain how you would improve it.

Example: “One thing I noticed while working with the team was that there wasn’t much communication between departments. For example, when I needed to get in touch with marketing about an upcoming event, I had to go through several people before getting in contact with someone who could help me. If I were hired for this position, I would create a system where all departments have access to each other’s emails so they can communicate more efficiently.”

5. Give me an example of how you would handle a difficult situation with a coworker.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your communication skills. Use examples from past experiences where you had to resolve a conflict or disagreement with a coworker, customer or client.

Example: “In my last role as an EF Education First tour consultant, I worked with a colleague who was very detail-oriented. While this is usually a positive quality for tour consultants, sometimes it could be overwhelming when he would correct me on small details during tours. I approached him about his behavior and explained that while I appreciated his feedback, I wanted to make sure our customers felt like they were getting the best experience possible. He apologized and we both agreed to focus more on providing excellent service to our customers.”

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You’ve got friends in all the places

Here at EF, support isn’t one-size-fits-all. There’s our on-the-ground presence in 114 countries (that’s the big, sweeping kind). But there’s also the team we build around every teacher who leads an educational tour with us. From day one, you can lean on your EF people for the kind of one-to-one support that’ll make a huge difference in your group’s travel experience.

Ready to meet the experts who’ll come together to make sure your tour experience is safe, smooth, and rich with possibility for your students? Each member of your team serves a crucial role—whether it’s helping you explore destinations over a call or text or organizing flights and meals behind the scenes.

The magic maker

Say hi to your new bestie, your Tour Consultant . They’re an itinerary whiz who’s laser-focused on you and your students’ growth. They are also an expert on your area—so they understand your school district’s needs.

The travel sidekick

Meet your Tour Director , your rock on tour. As trained guides who speak the language of travel (and who can navigate the local lingo as well), no one is better equipped to lead the way. Frankly, they’re the best part of any EF trip.

The parent whisperer

Consider our Traveler Support Specialists human search engines for all things EF. They’ll work with parents and students to answer any what-ifs and how-tos, from questions about payment plans to documenting dietary preferences.

The hometown hero

This could be you someday! Spread out all across the U.S., our Educational Travel Advisors are teachers who’ve led plenty of EF tours, and they’re eager to share their expertise. Want to talk with one who’s close by? We’ll connect you.

In addition to that life-saver Tour Consultant and crafty Tour Director, there are even more people building your EF tour from the ground up. Some call them our Education Team, Product Development Directors, Tour Experience Managers, and Flights Coordinators—but we just call them the dream builders.

Easier for you, every step of the way

You don’t know it yet, but our people are already working hard to provide you with a better educational tour experience than you can get anywhere else. From the logistics genius in Washington, D.C. who artfully balances city highlight stops to the Traveler Support Specialist in Boston perfecting parent communication plans, consider our team your team from the get-go.

Say hi anytime

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EF Education First

Account executive (tour consultant).

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Start date: September and October Location: Boston, in office-hybrid

Your Opportunity:

As an Educational Tour Consultant, you’ll oversee a geographic territory in the United States and run it like it’s your own business. Your mission? To inspire educators to show their students the world, serving as their partner to create international travel programs at their schools. In this sales role, you’ll work at its intersection with marketing, customer retention, operations, and product innovation, to name a few. To achieve success, you’ll create your territory’s roadmap to sustainable growth, resolve business challenges, and work with a diverse set of colleagues from across the world that will result in a beautiful customer experience. Our sales strategy emphasizes long-term relationships and consultative conversations. We will onboard you, train you, and support your continued career development.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage and grow a geographic territory of existing and prospective clients through a high volume of phone calls (50-60 per day on average) and strategic outreach 
• Work with middle and high school teachers to launch international travel programs
• Strategically prospect, generate leads and follow up on leads to acquire new customers
• Grow existing key accounts, to help more students and educators discover the world
• Run your territory like a business—identifying, developing and executing opportunities to drive growth
• Forecast and hit key account metrics (monthly and quarterly sales projections and goals)
• Refine your sales techniques and support customers through email, phone, online presentations, and in-person meetings
• Coach teachers to build and execute successful tour promotion for the international travel programs at your schools
• Collaborate and strategize with the Customer Success team to ensure a smooth customer experience and overall growth in your territory
• Field incoming phone calls from teachers across the organization to help with tour related questions or events
• Support the emergency line during work hours while teachers are traveling during peak times

Who You Are:

People from all different professional and educational backgrounds have thrived in this role. Here’s what they have in common—sound like you?

• You’re eager to start, or expand, your career in sales with a role that offers real responsibility and accountability
• You’re fiercely competitive, in a nice, team player sort-of-way
• You’re a great persuasive communicator and natural networkers who loves talking to people
• You don’t subscribe to the phrase, “that’s not my job”
• You nail the details while moving quickly, never losing sight of the big picture
• You know that you can sell and you’re not afraid to prove it
• You want to be part of a team that motivates and inspires you
• Going above and beyond is the only way you do things

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

Work in our downtown office where you’ll enjoy comprehensive professional development, frequent social programming, office-wide sports leagues, and employee-run social groups (including our “EFinity” groups: Black@EF, LGBTQ+@EF, Latinos@EF, API@EF, and Parents@EF). And did we mention the free coffee, beer, and Kombucha on tap?! You can also expect:

• Paid international travel at least once a year (more as you grow with us)
• Robust professional growth opportunities including monthly trainings, workshops, and inspiring talks with global leaders and experts
• Four weeks paid vacation your first year (four weeks starting in year two) and nine paid holidays
• 25% company match on your 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with life and disability insurance
• Wellness benefits including onsite and virtual classes run by EF instructors, and a yearly fitness reimbursement
• EF program discounts including travel, language schools, childcare, and more
• Dependent care, healthcare, and commuter flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Discounts at local venues and businesses

About Your Future Employer:

At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, identity, parental status, experience and everything else that makes you unique.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has school and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://ef.com

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EF Education First

Tour consultant.

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Location: Cambridge, MA Start Date: November 4, 2024

Your Opportunity:

As a Tour Consultant, you’ll oversee a geographic territory in the United States and run it like it’s your own business. Your mission? To inspire educators across the United States to lead student tours throughout North America. We give every salesperson here guidance and autonomy to help them thrive and cultivate our business. To achieve success, you’ll create your territory’s roadmap to sustainable growth, resolve business challenges, and work with a diverse set of colleagues that will result in a beautiful customer experience. We onboard, train, and support you with comprehensive sales development programs and ongoing coaching from peers, dedicated trainers, and managers.

Whether your goal is to go from beginner to expert, or explore the world of sales for the first time, the Tour Consultant position is a fantastic opportunity to flex your sales muscles, acquire new skills and techniques, and create a foundation for a long-lasting sales career at EF.

What You’ll Do:

• Initiate conversations with middle school and high school teachers to generate new business within a given territory through high volume phone calls (60-70 per day) and strategic outreach
• Qualify and manage a pipeline of self-generated leads
• Be fearless, focused, and excited to sell a product that truly changes students’ lives
• Help us maintain our rapid growth and become a market leader while raising the bar on the quality of the customer experience
• Refine your sales techniques and support customers through email, phone and online presentations
• Collaborate and strategize with the Account Manager team to ensure a smooth customer experience and overall growth in your territory
• Sell a product that truly changes students’ lives by being fearless, focused and having fun! And you travel too!

Who You Are:

People from all different professional and educational backgrounds have thrived in this role. Here’s what they have in common—sound like you?

• You’re eager to start, or expand, your career in sales with a role that offers real responsibility and accountability
• You’re fiercely competitive, in a nice, team player sort-of-way
• You’re a great persuasive communicator and natural networkers who loves talking to people
• You don’t subscribe to the phrase, “that’s not my job”
• You nail the details while moving quickly, never losing sight of the big picture

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

As if changing teachers’ and students’ lives and making the world a better place isn’t enough, we also offer the opportunity to:

• Work in our Cambridge office where you’ll enjoy comprehensive professional development, frequent social programming and employee-run social groups (including our “EFinity” groups: Black@EF, LGBTQ+@EF, Latinos@EF, API@EF, Jewish@EF, Indigenous@EF and Parents@EF and more). You can expect:
• Up to 45% growth in base pay in your first two years
• Paid travel to our domestic or international destinations or offices at least once a year (more as you grow with us)
• Participate in the Workplace Flexibility Program: our hybrid work model with up to two days of work-from-home per week.
• Robust professional growth opportunities including monthly trainings, workshops, and inspiring talks with global leaders and experts
• Four weeks paid vacation your first year and twelve paid holidays
• 25% company match on your 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with life and disability insurance
• Wellness benefits and a yearly fitness reimbursement
• EF program discounts including travel, language schools, childcare, and more
• Dependent care, healthcare, and commuter flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Discounts at local venues and businesses

About Your Future Employer:

At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, identity, parental status, experience and everything else that makes you unique.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has school and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://ef.com