As a military spouse, building and maintaining a career can be challenging. You’re facing frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules, making it difficult to focus on reliable work.
Here are some smart tips and resources for finding a job as a military spouse, including the top industries for military spouses to consider.
The Challenges of Finding a Job as a Military Spouse
Military spouses face work challenges that don’t necessarily apply to civilian spouses. Let’s acknowledge what you may be dealing with:
- Frequent moves: Regular Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves can disrupt your career trajectory and make it challenging to establish long-term employment or advance your career. Employment gaps: Periods of unemployment due to relocations can create gaps in your resume.
- Lack of a local support network: PCS moves often mean leaving behind your existing professional network. Without local contacts, finding job opportunities can be more challenging, as many positions are filled through referrals and personal connections.
- Childcare and family responsibilities: Limited access to reliable and affordable childcare, especially during your servicemember’s deployments, can hinder your availability for work.
Thankfully, there are ways to address these challenges so you can boost your chances of employment as a military spouse.
How to Prepare for Your Job Search as a Military Spouse
Before you get started in your job search, make sure you set yourself up for success with these key tips:
- Update your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight transferable skills and experiences that work across various industries and locations. Emphasize your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and any roles you’ve had that showcase how you thrive in changing environments.
- Build a portable skillset or pursue remote-friendly roles: Consider developing skills that are in demand nationwide, which we’ll discuss in more detail later. You can also look specifically for remote jobs.
- Gather important documents and references in one place: Collect any documents employers might ask for, such as certifications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
- Update your LinkedIn profile: Your LinkedIn profile should contain your most recent experiences and skills. Use a professional-looking photo and write a headline that includes the job titles you’re looking for.
- Research your new local job market: Take advantage of local resources such as Facebook groups or neighborhood message boards to see what’s available around town.
- Leverage military spouse employment resources: As a military spouse looking for work, you are not alone. We’ll outline some great resources specifically designed for you later in this piece.
- Join professional networks and support groups: The right networks can provide vital mentorship, job leads, and a supportive community to navigate your career journey. We’ve listed some below.
Tips for Finding a Job as a Military Spouse after Relocating
There are many resources out there that you, as a military spouse, can utilize to your advantage when looking for a job.
Certifications and Education Opportunities
Getting certified or earning a new degree (or just taking relevant courses) can enhance your resume and make you more attractive to potential employers. These include:
- MyCAA Scholarship Program: The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses pursuing licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in portable career fields.
- Military-provided grants and resources: Other military-sponsored educational benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, may be transferred to you by your servicemember.
- Virtual certifications and LinkedIn learning: There are numerous online platforms that offer courses or workshops in transferable skills. For example, LinkedIn offers military spouses a free one-year Premium subscription to over 20,000 expert-led courses.
Job Interview Tips
Your job interview is often your first chance to meet face-to-face (either in-person or online) with your potential new employer. Here’s how to make the most of it.
- Explaining employment gaps and frequent moves: Be up-front and honest about resume gaps due to relocations. Reframe these experiences as contributing to your adaptability and resilience.
- Positioning military life as a strength: Highlight the skills you’ve developed through military life, such as flexibility, problem-solving, and the ability to quickly acclimate to new environments.
- General interview tips:
Military Resources to Utilize
These resources are exclusively designed for military spouses like you.
- Spouse employment readiness programs on base: Programs such as the Employment Readiness Program (ERP) offer career planning, job search assistance, and workshops tailored for military spouses.
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): Our partner, MSEP, connects military spouses with employers committed to hiring and retaining them.
- Armed Forces Mutual Learning Hub: Dig into a wealth of resources, including military spouse-focused articles and guides, created to assist you in your career development.
Military Spouse Support Networks
One of the best ways to find a new job after your PCS is through networking and building your new community.
- Military spouse mentorship and networking groups: Organizations such as the Military Spouse Advocacy Network provide mentorship programs and networking opportunities to support your career growth.
- LinkedIn groups: Join groups such as the Military Spouse Employment Partnership on LinkedIn to connect with peers, share experiences, and access job postings.
Top Industries for Military Spouses
Some industries offer the flexibility and stability that align well with a military lifestyle. These fields are popular among military spouses, but they’re not the only options available. With the right mindset and resources, you can thrive in any industry.
Remote Job Opportunities
Remote jobs are increasingly popular among military spouses because they offer the flexibility to work from anywhere. Administrative roles, marketing, and customer service lend themselves well to remote work. Many military spouses find positions in customer support or human resources, where they can work remotely for companies committed to hiring military spouses. These jobs often provide the stability of a regular income while allowing the flexibility needed for frequent moves. In fact, many companies actively recruit military spouses for such positions because they understand the need for portability and flexibility.
HealthCare
Healthcare careers often offer flexible scheduling, which is a major perk for military spouses balancing family life and professional responsibilities. Professions such as nursing, medical assisting, and billing are in high demand and often offer programs that help with licensing transfers during relocation. Most states have reciprocity agreements that allow nurses to practice across state lines without needing to retake exams or renew licenses. Medical assistants and those in billing or coding roles often find employment with minimal disruption after a move.
Mental health counseling is another in-demand field, especially given the stresses military families face. Many states allow counselors to transfer their licenses, which allows military spouses to continue their careers without interruption.
Education and Child Care
Education and child care are fields that often provide immediate opportunities for military spouses, particularly those stationed near military bases. They’re also a great way to engage with and support other military families.
Positions in teaching, tutoring, early childhood education, and daycare are always in demand. Many military bases offer onsite programs that can lead to opportunities for career development in areas such as early childhood education.
Teaching and tutoring are often well-suited for unpredictable schedules. Tutoring can even be done on a freelance basis. Daycare and childcare roles near military bases offer consistent but flexible employment options so you can balance work with family life.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is perfect for military spouses, as it gives you flexibility and control over your schedules and locations. Many spouses choose to start businesses in blogging, virtual assistance, Etsy shops, or photography. This type of work also comes with the opportunity to scale and grow your business at your own pace.
For those with creative talents, starting an online shop on platforms like Etsy or offering freelance photography services requires minimal overhead and can be adjusted based on your location and schedule.
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