Today, Military Spouses are living in a truly unique and exciting time. With the rise of remote working and telecommuting, plus viable freelancing options and side hustles, employment opportunities are greater than they’ve ever been. But as most Military Spouses know, even with all the new resources and opportunities, finding employment can be difficult, and far from a guarantee.
Recently, Charlene Wilde — a Veteran, Military Spouse, and Assistant Secretary of AAFMAA — shared 3 key tips all MilSpouses should consider before entering or re-entering the workforce in Military Travel Mama.
1) Assess Your Situation
Before you commit to something, make sure you know what’s right for you. Consider your home responsibilities. Will you be able to balance them with a new job? What type of hours and flexibility will you need? But above all: Are you ready for work?
A new career or career path can help open new doors, but be sure to understand any potential impact it could have on your home life. Don’t take on too much too fast. You’ll only be making things harder on yourself than they have to be. Employment should be empowering, not overwhelming.
2) Research Your Options and Leverage Your Experience
The job search can be a long and overwhelming experience. So when an offer or an opportunity does come around, make sure you aren’t too eager to jump at just anything. Do your research and make sure any future employer is aware of your unique situation as a MilSpouse. Are they understanding of that? Do they value the the perspective and experience you bring as a MilSpouse? Before you agree to anything, or spend too much time chasing after the wrong chances, make sue it’s right for you.
Also, do the research on yourself! You may think you know everything there is to know about yourself… and you’re probably right! But being able to tell your whole story and sell yourself as an employee isn’t always an easy pitch without any practice. Take some time to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve helped shape you.
3) Tap Into Your Network
You may not realize it right now, but there are so many great resources available to you as a Military Spouse. LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Pathfinder all have programs specifically designed to help MilSpouses just like you find employment.
And they aren’t the only ones. Several other companies, and even the White House, have pledged to make employment opportunities more available for MilSpouses across the country.
And don’t forget other Military Spouses! Sometimes, your friends are truly your greatest network.
For more employment tips, read Charlene’s entire article, chock-full of employment tips and resources on Military Travel Mama. It’s definitely worth a read.
More on MilSpouse Employment:
Solutions for Your Military Family:
Life Insurance, Wealth Management, Home Mortgages, Survivor Services, and more. Learn more about AAFMAA.
