MilSO Career Series: My Takeaways

Whew, it's been a hot minute. Let's catch up!

We said goodbye to Texas and hello to Tennessee! Yup, you read that right. Our move has come and gone. It seems like I blinked and here I am sitting in a lawn chair in my very empty new home with three sleeping dogs by my feet. We are still anxiously awaiting the delivery of our household goods and currently getting by with the bare minimum. Empty house, full hearts. We are beyond thankful we had a place to go during this time of transition instead of living in a hotel with three dogs (no thanks!). Enjoy these photos of my furbabies napping away during our drive across the country.

As y'all know, I have been diligently working to set myself up for success in the job department for MONTHS. I'm here to tell you all that preparation PAID OFF! In less than 48 hours of being at our new duty station, I got my first job offer. And it's not just any offer - it's everything I asked for! I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and opportunities present themselves when they're right for you - even when you don't understand the logic behind it in the moment. This job is a bit of a commute, but it's a leading hospital in the industry, a Level I trauma center and it's a HUGE opportunity for me to expand my skills and level up. To say I'm excited is an understatement!

Okay, so how did I do it?! While I'm not saying these tips will work for everyone, I can say they're tried and true for not only me, but other military spouses as well. If you're preparing to PCS, read on!

1. Get started as soon as possible. 

I work in healthcare and I have national and state licenses I must keep up in order to practice. Transferring of licenses are your TOP priority when you get PCS orders. For many, you can't even apply to potential job opportunities without the correct state license so it's imperative that you make this your first step. I started the process of applying for new state licenses four months before our move. It took three months to officially get approved, leaving me one month to begin applying for job opportunities. Which was perfect timing!

2. Research, Research, Research!

If you know anyone at your next duty station, reach out to them and get some advice on the surrounding cities to get a feel for where you might want to work. If you don't know anyone, Google is a magical tool. Because I mainly work in hospital settings, I simply search for the hospitals in the area and then look at specific reviews of the hospital, safety ratings, and even crime rates in the area. That gives me a good idea of the cliental base and the work environment. It's not fool proof, but it's better than going in blind. Once you identify some places you may want to work, start tracking their open positions. I was checking at least once a week for open positions (honestly, I was looking at least once day...).

Consider looking for open positions on post or at the local VA centers. They give priority to spouses and help transfer you the next time you move! Search their positions at www.usajobs.gov.

3. Be organized.

Luckily for us, our documents never get too out-of-date with all these military moves, am I right?! Regardless, dust off your USB, and update your resume and cover letter. I'm slightly OCD...slightly being a loose term..so bear with me here. I have generic copies of each document that I can make a copy of and customize to each job I apply for.

It looks like this:

Generic doc: RESUME >  copy, paste and rename > COMPANY.LASTNAME.RESUME

Example: If I'm applying at Health First, I would make a copy of my resume and rename it - HF.Smith.Resume. Do the same for your cover letter and then tailor these documents to fit the specific job you're applying for. For example, use the company's name in your cover letter and pull key words from their job description to include in your resume. Then when you attach your documents to your application, it looks professional (don't name it stupidresume) and helps the employer easily identify whose application they're looking at.

Lastly, check in with at least 5 past coworkers, supervisors and/or professors and ask them if you can use them as references during the job application process. Create a list of their contact information that's easily accessible. This ensures a quick turn around when potential employers ask for your references. Always make sure you notify your references when you send a request to them via email so they don't miss it and let them know if you got the job!

4. Follow up!

There is absolutely nothing employers like more than initiative. About a week after I apply to any position, I call the department and ask to speak to the hiring manager to personally introduce myself. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, it can be as simple as 'Hi my name is _______. You may have come across my application this week, and I just wanted to introduce myself and reiterate my interest in the _______ position you have available.' Not only does this show the manger you're truly interested in the position, but it also gets your name out there and likely will entice them to look up your application. I have gotten interviews simply because I called and introduced myself in this manner. 

Then, whether you get a phone interview or an in-person interview, ALWAYS reach out to the manager (or whoever you had your interview with) the next day to thank them for their time. Again, you're reiterating your interest, keeping your name in the front of their mind, and showing initiative. This follow up can be a simple email ending with a statement such as 'I look forward to hearing from you' or something that leaves the conversation open.

5. Know your worth.

Confidence is key! Confidence will come across in your cover letter, your resume, your introduction phone call, phone interview, in-person interview and follow up emails. It's part of ALL of it. Maybe that seems obvious, but I know for me, the whole job application process is nerve wracking and completely makes me nauseous! So how can you overcome that fear so that you perform your best?

Most importantly, you need to know exactly what you want before you apply. Make sure your values and needs are going to be met by the position and ask for the pay you actually want in your application. In fact, add a little bit for good measure. 😉 Don't downgrade yourself because you need a job fast or you think they won't hire you because you're military or whatever the reason may be. Know your worth and ask for it, sister.

Next, go over some potential interview questions and your response before your interview so you're confident in your responses. Simply talking out loud while looking in the mirror will help you practice eye contact, help reduce your nerves and improve your confidence. Then, right before your interview, make sure you remind yourself how absolutely amazing you are! You are strong, you are resilient, you are adaptable, and you would be an asset to any department. Seriously, these are specific words I use during my interviews. Not only do they display characteristics of ideal employees, but they show my interviewers that I'm confident in my abilities.

Lastly, make sure you set aside a few interview outfits before your whole life is packed away that make you feel AMAZING. It should be comfortable, professional, and make you feel like you can conquer the world, because DUH, you're about to!

What tip do you think will be the most helpful during your job search? If you've been through this transition phase before, did you use any of these same techniques? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

- xoxo -

MilSO Career Series: Your Mindset Matters

"The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you're made of, not the circumstances." -Unknown

While being a military spouse is an honorable job, it's one of the hardest things I've ever done. In this life, it's easy to throw a pity party with all the challenges and obstacles of military life. Moving every few years makes it extremely difficult to set down roots. You have to make new friends, find a new place to call home, and find a new job that hopefully meets your qualifications. We often focus on the negatives - having a resume too long and too inconsistent, the inability to provide stability for the company, an ever-changing schedule, constantly sacrificing even more time with your family...the list goes on. I asked the collaborators for this post to really think about the advantages of pursuing their own career and the positive attributes that actually benefit us in the working world. See for yourself the mental shifts we made together!

What would you say is the biggest ADVANTAGE of pursuing your own career while supporting your service member?

"Pursuing my own career while supporting my spouse is really important to me. I’m a kind of person who need a sense of meaning. Yes I a mom and yes I help out around the house, but that doesn’t fulfill my needs to provide for my family. I get to fulfill my creative needs with my photography as well as pay bills and have spending money that I don’t have to ask for." - Brittany T.

"It allows me to stay busy and keep my individuality. It also helps bring in another income to help us pay bills and save for the future." - Anonymous

"The ability to have my own life and be passionate about what I do." - Shelby A.

"Doing something satisfying for myself." - Chelsea C.

 

"You have something for YOU. You don’t feel as though you’re sacrificing everything you want for the sake of their dream. You find purpose, you keep busy, you feel good about having accomplishments. Most milspouses love a good challenge (as if our lifestyle isn’t challenge enough) and it keeps us focused on something other than the chaotic ups and downs of our life. In a sense, it’s something we can control, something we can depend on even when the military is something we can’t always have expectations for with the ever changing schedules, the surprise training trips, the “looks like we are deploying a couple months earlier”, the things we can’t prepare ourselves for. At least we can prepare ourselves and thrive in something of our own while they’re gone. I also believe for myself it’s that he makes me so proud and I want to make him proud too, I want to show him I use my time while he’s away for the good of those around me and that I’m ALSO doing something I love." - Hannah A.

 

"Pursuing your own career gives you a sense of pride and independence in something that you are doing for yourself. You can do something you love or enjoy and earn an income doing so. I have always been very independent and have always worked usually more than one job. Marrying into the military, a PCS shortly after, and having to wait on licenses to be transferred to our new location made me unable to work for several months. This was new for me and in so many ways I felt lost and guilty that I was not “contributing” to our family. Going back to work has helped resolve those feelings and given me a sense of independence. A job is something for you to be proud of. You can have your independence, self pride, and do what you love all while supporting your service member. This helps to make sure you don’t lose yourself and your own interests along this crazy ride with military life." - Ciara B.

Military life has it's perks! What's one attribute or skill that you believe sets you ABOVE other potential, non-military applicants?

 

"Resilience and flexibility. The inconsistencies of military life have made me confident in a crisis." -Becky H.

"Strength." - Brenda C.

 

"Adaptability." - Kara M.

 

"I am adaptable.. in any place, environment, circumstance, I can adapt." - Samantha R.

 

"Resilience." - Tara C.

 

"You become very adaptive and accepting of situations. It is what it is, accept it and move on." - Kayla G.

 

"My ability to adapt to unseen circumstances and being able to "go with the flow" and not freaking out over change." - Anonymous

 

"Adaptability. Our life is being able to just roll with the constant unplanned and last minute changes. We go with it and make it work." - Ciara B.

 

"Very flexible, honest, and reliable." - Jennifer K. Hmm...I'm seeing a pattern here! 😉

 

"Multitasking. Being able to juggle not only your career but your spouses too." - Shelby A.

 

"I can function under high pressure situations and can plan." - Anonymous

 

"I have become a quick learner and problem solver!" - Anonymous

"In the seven months I’ve been a Navy wife, I’ve experienced many different cultures that I can teach the children I care for about." - Brooke L.

 

"Experience in different clinics with different patient populations." - Anonymous

 

While I was typing up this post, I got an email that another one of my documents for my state licensure at our new duty station was being denied and I had to complete additional paperwork. Immediately I was angry! I have been working on getting these licenses for almost 12 weeks now and it's delaying the job applications process. On my way to take care of the documents, I remembered this post and all the positive outlooks the above military spouses provided for this series. It was a humbling reminder to take a deep breath and handle it with a smile on my face. This is a part of the PCS process and it does me no good to be bitter about it.

Continuing to pursue your career goals as a military spouse isn't easy but it's a blessing in disguise. It helps us become unique employees with a strong toolbox of skills other applicants likely don't have. Adaptability, strength, problem solving skills, resilience, flexibility, the list goes on....we are LEADERS. Any company would be lucky to have a military spouse as a employee and it's our job to show them why! When you find yourself in yet another interview, focus on all the attributes and skills you DO bring to the table instead of what you don't.

- xoxo -

MilSO Career Series: Overcoming Obstacles

Is it possible to build a strong career as a military spouse? Heck yes! Is it going to be easy? Nope!

As I sit here typing away, I am frazzled. For those who don't know, my husband and I are in the midst of a PCS (permanent change of station). This will be our first PCS together as a family and....WE BOUGHT A HOUSE at our next duty station, Fort Campbell. We are so excited for this next step in our lives and our marriage, but also terrified! I'm quickly becoming overwhelmed trying to juggle getting my state license for x-ray, searching for a new job, packing up our house, all while still working 40+ hours a week.

As a radiologic technologist, I am required to have both a national certification and state licensure depending on what state I practice in. Many of you know this can be a time consuming process in general, let alone when you're attempting to apply for licenses and prospective job opportunities from states away. I heard from many other spouses with careers that require licenses and certifications how difficult it can be but one common factor remains: the reality of pursuing your own career as a military spouse depends on your desire and commitment to your career goals.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a military spouse in the civilian workforce?

Staci K., dental assistant, "getting licensed in different states." I feel ya, sister! Although there's benefits to being in healthcare, like endless job opportunities, getting the proper licensure in every state takes lots of time and money.

Ciara B., nurse, "Being a new military spouse the biggest challenge I have faced is just understanding how it all works! Everyone had been telling me how easy it is to get a job on post, but I can't be the only one who thinks navigating USA jobs is near impossible!" You're not alone, Ciara! Unfortunately, jobs on post have a priority system linked to our spouse's rank. Finding and securing a job on post can often take MONTHS and by then, you may be heading off to a new duty station.

Anonymous, elementary education, "I thought teaching was the perfect Military Spouse career because everywhere needs teachers.. FALSE! I taught at our first 2 duty stations (2different states), but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t worth it for our 3rd duty station. Every state has different certification processes and some have different state tests that must be taken. Every time I started in a new school/state I started at the bottom of the pay scale because they didn’t take into account previous years of experience at other locations. I also had to take classes for each state that gave me state credentials that wouldn’t transfer out of state. With the amount of credits I have taken since getting my bachelors, I should have my masters degree, but unfortunately none of those credits count outside those states." This is so frustrating! I know you're not alone in giving up your career in order to support your spouse's career.

Tori O., certified nursing assistant, "Transferring State Certificates, took almost 6 months for my CNA to transfer correctly from Wisconsin to Texas. My Medication Aide Certificate does not transfer from Wi, which would allow me to get a better job here obviously. 😞 Also, no family around for daycare." It's funny, I always though healthcare was the best choice for a military spouse, but these license and certification transfers are a nightmare!

Although most professions can be done anywhere, when you get stationed OCONUS, or out of country, things can become a little tricky. Of the responses we acquired, only a small portion are currently stationed overseas but they provided some great feedback about their work opportunities while stationed abroad.

I loved seeing this positive outlook from Brittany T. who is currently stationed in the United Kingdom. "My dream job is to be a travelling photographer. With the military, I have the freedom to travel as well as the means to afford equipment and education that I would not be able to otherwise. My husband and I also decided to live off base, in order to have a house that I can have my own personal studio in." -Brittany T.

While Jennifer K. has found she has opportunity restrictions at her duty station - "I'm currently living in Italy and I can't work AT ALL unless it's on base. If I do decide to work off base I lose all military protection rights." As a healthcare professional, my job opportunities would be limited to strictly on base as well. Okay, y'all that was a whole heck of a lot of information! I have been blown away by the responses to the survey I compiled on this topic and I look forward to continuing to share all about how we milSO's identify, tackle, and dominate any situation we come across. Read that again, because it's true. I'm convinced there's nothing we can't handle! Stay tuned for my next post in our MilSO Career Series!

- xoxo -

MilSO Career Series: Intro

How many times have you been in a situation where civilians find out you're a military spouse and automatically assume you're a stay-at-home mom?

For the first several years of our relationship, my husband and I lived across the country from each other. We got engaged at 19 years old and married less than a year later, but I continued to pursue my degree in Radiologic Technology while he served overseas and in several locations stateside. I was asked many times "why are you even bothering to get a degree you won't be able to use?" and "aren't you just going to stay at home with your kids?" Funny...I don't remember having kids?? But as soon as we got married, everyone just assumed I would start popping out babies and stay at home to raise them. Don't get me wrong - I 110% support women who choose this path, but it's not the path that's right for me.

After six years of military life, I have met many spouses who continue to pursue their own personal careers, I have met many who choose to give up the career they went to school for and pursue more "realistic" paths, such as entrepreneurship, and I have also met many who are SAHM. I'm not surprised by this variety of positions. Despite popular belief, being a military spouse doesn't define who we are as human beings.

With that being said, military life comes with many challenges when it comes to working outside the home. Often times our spouses schedules are unpredictable and they're not home often, meaning we have to pick up the weight and be there for our kiddos when they get off the bus or are sick. We have to service the cars and pick up the groceries and make it to all the doctors appointments. These situations can often make pursuing a job in the civilian workforce seem impossible. Yet so many make it work!

I asked for the help of the military spouse community to provide some feedback on their personal experiences and opinions on being a working military spouse for this blog series. My hope is that this compilation of perspectives will not only help our young military spouses find their way, but also be a resource for even our most seasoned spouses. So buckle up and enjoy the ride because these milSOs brought the heat!

 - xoxo -