Everything You Need To Know About Military Spouse Jobs

There's nothing easy about being married to someone in the military. If you're trying to have your own career while your spouse is constantly being deployed or transferred, you are likely to encounter many challenges. In fact, military spouse unemployment rates are four to six times greater than the average unemployment rates. Before you start job hunting, there are a few things you should know about military spouse jobs.

Why is Finding a Job as a Military Spouse So Hard?

There are some very specific challenges faced by military spouses when it comes to job hunting. When a prospective employer finds out about your spouse's job, they may hesitate. And even if they don't find out about the situation, your resume could give them warning flags. Typically, spouses of military members have frequent job changes. They also tend to have large employment gaps in their resumes. Employers don't want to risk hiring someone who won't be a long-term and stable employee, so your resume could hurt you.

There's also a lack of childcare. If you're married to someone in the military and they go on a year-long deployment, you're responsible for taking care of the children. It's not easy to find affordable childcare or to find childcare that works with your hours.

Another common problem is fitting in with state requirements. Because you may need to move from state to state, you could be lacking state-specific certifications. Even though you want to stay in the same field, you might need to take an exam or certification course to stay current in your new state.

Tips for Finding Work as a Military Spouse

Despite the obstacles you could face as a military spouse looking for work, there are jobs out there for you. Here are a few tips for getting started:

Pick the Right Type of Job

First, you need to consider which type of job you want. Do you want the flexibility of a remote job? Or would you prefer to be in a physical location? You might rather start your own small business, or work for a large company. Think about what type of job you want

You should also consider your skills and desires. Make a list of your skills, whether they were developed in previous jobs or volunteering for an organization. When you start the job search, you should have very specific positions to target. If you cast the net too wide, you will end up wasting your time.

Find Portable Jobs

If your spouse needs you to move, you don't need to give up your job. You can research jobs that are portable in one way or another. While a remote job gives you this portability, that's not your only option. You can find a job with an employer who has offices across the country or find a job that will allow you to eventually switch to a remote model.

When you're looking for work, focus on keywords like "remote" or "work from home." Many large companies have multiple offices, so you can also search for jobs with large corporations.

Seek Government Support

Are there challenges associated with being married to someone in the military? Absolutely. But there are just as many advantages to it as there are disadvantages. The government offers a variety of support to spouses of military members. For instance, the Military Spouse Employment Act of 2018 was created to make life easier for military spouses. The act speeds up the hiring process for federal jobs near military installations. Additionally, it makes it easier for military spouses to start their own businesses and find affordable childcare.

Here's a quick overview of some government programs you may be able to take advantage of:

FCC Family Child Care

You can get home childcare for children between the ages of one month and two years. Generally, these childcare options are very flexible and work with any schedule. If you want to provide childcare as your source of income, you can undergo training to be an FCC provider.

Employment Resource Center

Your local military base should have an employment resource center. When you go into one, you can receive a variety of assistance in finding a new job.

Update Your Resume

One of the keys to the job hunt is improving your resume. In order to convince hiring managers of your abilities, you need to update and edit your resume. If you have large employment gaps, consider changing the layout of your resume. It doesn't always need to be in chronological order

You should also come up with ways to stand out from the other job applicants. Is there a certification you can take that few others have? Can you volunteer with an organization to develop new skills or add things to your resume?

Let Your Network Work for You

As a military spouse, you probably have a strong support network. You can use your network to find a new position. If you know in advance about a move, reach out to other military spouses in the area. Someone might know of a job opening or be able to introduce you to the right people.

You should also extend your networking to a professional level. If you aren't already active on LinkedIn and social media, become active. Build an online presence and brand yourself. Oftentimes, online networking opens up new opportunities.

The Perfect Job Is Out There

Perhaps the most important thing you should know is that there is a job out there that's right for you. After a few rejections or a period of unemployment, you may feel as if there's no job that's right for you. But this isn't true. Today, it's easier than ever to find the perfect job.

Military spouses have access to some incredible resources. If you take advantage of those resources and have an organized job search, you could be only a short time away from a job offer.