OUR EMPLOYMENT STORY: NAVIGATING RESOURCE OVERLOAD
(MIL SPOUSE EDITION)

Heather Kline

2 years ago

Historically, every PCS meant a job change or flat out job lost for military spouses. But times have changed and a new environment means more opportunities for employment and fulfillment. Get linked in to this episode where Faith and Lynda talk employment with Heather Kline, a Talent Acquisition Contractor with Client Solution Architects and retired Navy Human Resource Officer. Then there’s Meredith Smith, an Air Force spouse currently working as the Deputy Director for Community Events and Programs on the military spouse team at Hiring Our Heroes (HOH). Learn how to navigate resource overload, address resume gaps, and don’t give those employers a reason to say no!

Tell every single person that you know that you are entering the job market…because it is amazing who you might meet at the grocery store.

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EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

Networking is the watchword for this episode. And it’s not a bad word. According to numerous studies to include the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. According to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking. According to LinkedIn, 70% of professionals hired in 2016 had a connection at their company, and 80% of professionals consider networking vital to their career success. Building and maintaining a professional (and personal) network can lead to that “warm handoff”
Premium LinkedIn packages for military spouses can be obtained by going to Military OneSource and getting a free account. Once there search for LinkedIn for instructions on getting a free Premium upgrade. Also search for Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) and Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) for an incredible repository of information and resources.
Frequent PCS moves often equate to finite periods of time to a potential employer. When applying for a position be honest about your timeline but also brag on your abilities, your drive and your dedication. We live in a country that is far more mobile than ever before and employers are familiar with the issue and appreciate the honesty. And if you get the job you may be able to convert it to a remote position when it’s time to PCS.
And on the topic of Remote Working COVID-19 has changed that force dramatically:
- 16% of companies in the world are 100% remote.
- 77% of remote workers say they’re more productive when working from home.
- The average annual income of remote workers is $4,000 higher than that of other workers.
- 85% of managers believe that having teams with remote workers will become the new norm
- 74% of workers say that having the option to work remotely would make them less likely to leave a company
- During COVID-19 close to 70% of full-time workers were working from home
- Since 2020 people have been meeting by video calls 50% more since COVID-19
- Remote employees save an average of 40 minutes daily from commuting
- 81% of those surveyed believe their employer will continue to support remote work after COVID-19
- The Virtual Workforce – bills themselves as “Fast access to high performing Military Spouses, Veterans and Cleared staff in every profession” They can also be found on Facebook
- Hiring Our Heroes has established the Military Spouse Professional Network to provide “military spouses with career development and networking opportunities in military communities around the world.”
- The article that Heather referenced claims “that by 2028…73 percent of all teams will have remote workers”
- But remember not all remote jobs are portable and they don’t all have flexible schedules
When the time comes to build your resume, remember it’s a fluid document and don’t build it alone in the dark. Use the services available on your installation and online. Make sure at least three people have looked it over for spelling, grammar and content before sending them out.
- Do build the resume for the job you’re seeking
- Don’t send out the wrong contact info
- Don’t include too much personal info
- Don’t be vague, be precise about past employment, volunteering and certifications
- Do include CPR, fraternities/sororities and professional organizations
- Do highlight past actions and the impact they had on the organization
Additional resources available on your current installation
- The Ombudsman Family Programs for the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Reserve Component Family Programs are available for the Army, Navy Airforce and Marines as well and can be found here on Military OneSource once you’re logged in.

Heather Kline is presently a Talent Acquisition Contractor with Client Solution Architects. She is a retired Navy Human Resource Officer with 22 years of service. Her passion runs deep as a Veteran and MILspouse Advocate where she tirelessly builds strong community bonds.

Meredith Smith currently works as the Deputy Director for Community Events and Programs on the military spouse team at Hiring Our Heroes (HOH). In this role she helps lead the work of the Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN), a professional community of military spouses with more than 60 locations worldwide. She also serves as a legislative subject matter expert at HOH for military spouse policy. Meredith is an active duty Air Force spouse.

Faith Bomar is not as funny as she thinks she is, according to her loving Army officer husband of nineteen years. She is the mother of four children only because it seemed like a good idea at the time and as a result of this, she has changed dirty diapers from CA to PA and on three different continents. When avoiding cooking dinner she spends her time working outside of the home as a Doula and giving her time away to the community as a perpetually unprofessional volunteer.

Lynda Lind has spent the last 15 years as a Navy wife and devoted volunteer. She is a stay-at-home mother of 2 with the survival skills needed for 7 moves and multiple deployments. She likes to spend her free time cooking and sewing, and has loved this year learning more about how the Army does things.

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.

Photo Credit: Interview photo created by yanalya – www.freepik.com

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