Q: What do these three things have in common?  
A: The number of times that they occur naturally in our lifetime.

When is the last time you talked to someone on an elevator? Really talked to someone… instead of looking at your phone, wondering when you were going to lose service, or wondering why elevators always seem to go slower when your floor is close to the top. Come to think of it, when was the last time you were in an elevator, in this era of “take the stairs, it’s good for you” and escalators that fit one person per tread?

Even if you do find yourself in an elevator, and are looking around at your fellow elevator occupants with wide-eyed, opportunity-seeking interest… What are the chances that you’ll be riding an elevator at the exact same time as the person you desperately need to talk to so that you can get your next job? The person who could get you your dream job? 

Let’s step off that imaginary, dream of an elevator, shall we.

I’ve been to many job search workshops through the years, and most teach the fundamentals: networking, resume writing, interview prep, and elevator pitches. As a professional job search coach and trainer, I’ve been to multiple trainings.

​​I’ve written the material, practiced it, adjusted a thirty-second infomercial about myself… and truthfully: I never use my elevator pitch. 

In over 25 years of professionally networking, I’ve only tried my elevator pitch once. The awkward reaction I received caused my mouth to stop moving about ten seconds in, fading away mid-sentence. I spent the rest of the elevator ride looking at my shoes, waiting for the floor to swallow me whole.

Given my profession, it’s hard to admit that every nugget of wisdom thrown out at a captive audience at a job search training session isn’t pure gold. 

However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the information and the approach behind an elevator pitch. Instead of looking at it as your opportunity to land a job offer in a very small space, see an elevator pitch for what it is: a way to craft an introduction that is professional, while also drawing attention to your end goal (a job!).

How to Develop a Powerful Introduction You Can Use Again and Again: A 3 Step Process

Our strategy is simple: 

Create your story one part at a time… get comfortable with part one before moving onto parts 2 and 3. This is how you develop a natural, authentic introduction that will work in real life … not just that magical elevator ride!
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Part One: Draft one to two sentences that include your name, and an interesting fact relevant to the circumstances of the moment. For a job interview, it might be a skill, for a networking event, it might be your most recent project, or something that lets you get your line of work into the conversation. If you’re having trouble coming up with one, you can use this worksheet.

Example: Hi, my name is Amy Rossi. Did you see the game last night—the Human Resources fantasy football league will be going crazy this morning.

Part Two: One sentence that builds on the information you revealed in part one, keeping in mind that you need to listen to the person who’s speaking to you.

Example: Yeah, I work on a really dynamic team. Our latest project led to  fifteen new Veteran hires, which is a real passion for me; I’ve been working toward ending Veteran unemployment for the past seven years.

Part Three: One to two sentences that give them a sense of where you want to build yourself professionally.

Example: Over the past seven years, the Veteran hiring market has gone through some interesting changes. I’m really interested in growing training and entrepreneurship
 resources for Veterans in partnership with other companies—does your company work with Veterans?

Think about it this way, most 30 second commercials only have 15 seconds of actual text. The mind needs time to absorb and process new information. Don’t stress yourself out thinking that you have to distill your whole life and your vision for the future into one convenient, elevator-sized speech. Instead, focus on giving your audience what they need—what they can write down, remember, and call you about on Monday morning. 

Good luck!
Amy

​Story by Amy Rossi

Military spouses are united by their common experiences, but it’s also easy to feel disconnected from spouses whose service members serve in another branch. 

We speak specialized, but different languages. Our duty stations, except for those joint bases, are largely populated by service members and families in our branch. And each branch has its own way of life—cycles, processes, and services unique to it. 

But only one location has the biggest concentration of all military services—the great state of Hawaii. Oahu is the only location in the world that includes significant populations from all 5 military branches as well as a large military retiree population. So, it isn’t surprising that the Joint Spouses’ Conference calls the island its home. 

The annual Joint Spouses’ Conference provides a forum for spouses of active duty, guard and reserve, Gold Star, and retired military members of all services and ranks to learn, network, and help each other in our challenging roles as spouses, parents, professionals, and community leaders through workshops and special guest speakers. Whether you have been on the island for a while or are new to Hawaii, the conference offers you a unique opportunity to meet and network with more than 500 spouses.

According to Milinda Rau, Deputy Director of the conference, “The goal of the conference is to bring spouses together because as a group, we offer a pool of extraordinary talent and experience.”
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The conference provides attendees with over forty workshops on the following topics:  Food and Beverage (highlighting local businesses), LifeSkills (nutrition, personal development), Sports and Leisure (fitness and local sport activities), Arts and Crafts (decorating and home care skills), Hawaiian History and culture, Informational (home buying, professional development). The conference also includes an informational expo with 75 spaces for local businesses, non-profit organizations, and installation resources.
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You can follow the Joint Spouses Conference Hawaii us on Facebook  and Instagram.  Registration for the conference opens in August. You can learn more at their website.  
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So, if you are new to Hawaii, PCSing there this summer, or are a long-time resident, check out the Joint Spouses’ Conference. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your fellow military spouses who call Paradise their home. 

​Story by Jamie Boyle

If you are like me, you have no idea how to squeeze another activity into your day. You feel frazzled and overwhelmed at times. You look at new opportunities and believe they cost too much—too much of your energy, your time, and yourself. 

But there’s a growing body of literature that suggests that “busy” is a disease, that we are poor managers of our time, and that we can do better. One advocate who believes that you have more time than you might think is Laura Vanderkam (lauravanderkam.com/), author of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, and the more recent I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time. Vanderkam, who is the author of several time management and productivity books, looks for practical, research-based ways to help individuals combine work, family, and time for themselves on a daily basis. 

When it comes to putting the notion of “saying yes to more” into practice, even entertaining the idea can feel like too much. The questions I have had to ask myself are, “Am I really too busy, or do I just believe that I am?” and “How does my busy-ness impact my ability to seek out new opportunities?”

​Reflecting on those questions, I’ve determined that while I’m busy (as most of us are), my busy-ness holds me back.  My most productive times in my youth were when I was the busiest—school all day, rehearsals all night, and performances every weekend. I had to make use of all of my available time, and I did. Those were the times where I got the most done and was the most successful.
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So, instead of saying “No because I’m busy,” I’m focused on saying “Yes to possibility” both professionally and personally. 
Yes, I have time to support that project.
Yes, I have time to talk to my friend.
Yes, I have time to read an extra chapter to my child.
Yes, I have time to edit that document for you.
Yes, I have time to exercise.
Yes, I have time to plan healthy meals. 
Yes, I have time to attend that networking event.

These “Yeses” mean that I have to say “No” too.
No, I don’t have time to waste on Facebook.
No, I don’t have time to spend on projects that are not professionally fulfilling.
No, I do not have time to drive two hours round trip to attend hot yoga.
No, I don’t have time to use on activities that will not result in my goals. 
No, I don’t have time to focus on my being busy.

And these “Yeses” have to be realistic. 
Yes, I have 10 hours this week to support that project.
Yes, I have time to talk to my friend on Friday evening.
Yes, I have time to read an extra chapter to my child after we’ve done her homework.
Yes, I have time to edit that document for you if you get it to me today.
Yes, I have time to exercise for 30 minutes.
Yes, I have time to plan four healthy meals, but we’ll order pizza on Saturday. 
Yes, I have time to attend that networking event to talk to the five companies in which I am interested.

Instead of wallowing in busy-ness, let’s try focusing on the possibility that comes with saying “yes” in a realistic manner. Let’s see what happens when we stop being busy and start being open to change.

​Story by Jamie Boyle

PCS season is in full swing—another year, another move, and another new town are on the horizon. While service members are busy packing their TA 50, some spouses
 find themselves doing the same as  they pack their career and prepare to move it along with the household goods. 

At the end of a long day of lists and packing, it may feel tempting to throw everything in a box and hope that it makes it to your next duty station. 

Unfortunately, the toss and hope method of packing your career could yield even more stress in the long run. During my family’s latest PCS, I was working a remote job as a part of a marketing team. Despite the miles we traveled and the chaos of our PCS, I found myself searching for Wi-Fi, using hotel business centers, and even overnighting paperwork!

Working while PCSing can be a challenge, since you still need to ensure your job gets done while balancing your other responsibilities. Whether you’re moving your career across county lines, state lines, or even over an ocean, there are steps you can take to make your transition smoother. 

​Where is the Wi-Fi?
As military families, we’ve all camped out in an empty house with boxes stacked high and air mattresses in the corner. In an effort to make the unpacking process less painful, we've learned the importance of self-carrying the right items. When you separate out the items that will travel with you, make sure to include your office necessities. Do you have all your notes? Are there any items you need to do your job no matter where you are located?  Will you need a printer? Do you have the power cord for your computer?  

Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi for guests, but if your family already has housing you should contact the local internet provider prior to your arrival so that you can set up your service ASAP. 

While you’re waiting for your Wi-Fi to arrive, consider your options. Are you able to use your phone as a Hotspot?  While most coffee houses and fast food restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, you should also check out the local library. Finding free Wi-Fi spots can even give you some quiet time to work away from the moving chaos.  

Work Calls
Most remote and virtual jobs come with a lot of conference calls. These calls are usually the only way to share ideas, communicate, and get updates from your coworkers, so they are vital to a successful remote job (even when you’re moving).

When making travel plans, try to plan your stops around your work calls. I took one call in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant while the family was inside eating. This allowed me to conduct my job in a quiet environment while also ensuring my family’s needs were met. If you've made it to a hotel, maybe send your family to the pool while you catch up on work calls and your email.

Flexibility and Scheduling
The reason most people want remote jobs is for the flexibility, so don’t be afraid to be flexible with your schedule and your abilities during your move. However, the key to having this kind of flexibility while on the move is to be honest with your employer and co-workers before you hit the road. Make sure that you fully explain what your moving timeline will be like, and that it may be some time before you’re completely settled. Remember not everyone is familiar with the military moving process.  Work out a schedule that will work for all of you.  

As you put this schedule together, keep your lack of a future routine in mind. You may find it easier to work late in the evening or early in the morning, even though your regular hours used to be different. 

Above all, be realistic. If you are planning on driving for ten hours, odds are you’re not going to work 
another ten hours once you arrive. Setting a schedule and managing everyone’s 
expectations is an important step in moving your remote job. 
 
Moving not only your family but your career can be stressful and downright exhausting. When it comes to preparing your home, it can feel like business as usual—but don’t forget the work you need to do to prepare yourself to handle your professional business on the road!  

Story by Amanda Marksmeier

For military spouses who work in creative fields, it seems like the words “portable,” “flexible,” and “enjoyable” should go together. But the joy of creative work can quickly turn sour when it comes to setting a price for your labor.

When you’re getting started in a creative field, you know that you may have to offer your services for free (or at a highly discounted rate) to build a portfolio. But after you’ve had a few successful projects, it can be daunting to think about setting (or raising) your rates, especially if it will mean renegotiating with existing clients. To lessen the anxiety of this process, consider:  

What are your basic needs?
A base rate isn’t worth having if it doesn’t factor in the costs of your business, taxes that you must pay, your realistic yearly billable hours, and the total salary you need to make this job worthwhile.

What type of project is it?
Are you creating a website or designing a logo? Writing an article or an entire manual? 
Photographing a wedding or a portrait? When it comes to setting your price, you can have a scaled list rather than a flat hourly rate. The type of project will dictate the amount of time, energy, and effort you must give. 

Who is your client?
Are they a small, local business owner, a mid-size firm, or a large corporation? While a small business may have fewer resources, they may also give you more creative space. With each job, you must determine a balance between your interest in the project and an obligation to your finances.

What is your client's budget?
Not sure, just ask! Your client already has an idea of how much they're willing to pay. By asking their price range, you’re better equipped to leverage the price you want rather than undervaluing yourself.

What kind of value does this project provide?
Think about the problem that your work will correct rather than an hourly rate. If a client’s website crashes and you fix it, your work may have more value to that client. Although it may only take an hour to fix the problem, the value of a fix in an emergency is worth far more.

What are other creatives charging?
This is where the importance of a network comes in. They can give you inspiration, encouragement, and referrals, while also answering questions about the market in your industry. Although it may feel awkward to ask how much someone charges, if you do so politely and professionally, you’re likely to get an open, helpful answer about how they calculated their rate. 
 
What if they say “No”?
Once you’ve determined your price plan, create a list of contract negotiation talking points. You should include the reasoning behind your price points, as well as ground rules and expectations for both parties. By listing the questions you could face (and their answers), you’ll feel prepared for any negotiations. As a creative entrepreneur, it’s important for you to be clear, consistent, and confident in your worth.
​
Don’t be afraid to turn down a project if a client doesn’t agree to your rate. You aren’t saying “no” to your work. Instead, you’re turning down the chance to earn less while doing more and an unsustainable client relationship. 

Remember: you’re talking about money because your creative work is worthy of realistic compensation. You’re talking about money because you are a professional, and professionals get paid.

It's throwback Thursday, and I'm taking you to one of the first pieces I ever wrote for our MSEJ. 

What goals do you have for yourself? How can you achieve them? What obstacles do you face, and how can you overcome them? These are the questions that can allow YOU as a military spouse to become who YOU want to be and do what YOU want to do.

I married my husband immediately before he shipped for training. His recruiter, upon learning of our decision, advised my husband, “Just make sure she’s not one of those McDonald's wives.” My husband and I had no clue what the recruiter meant.  Today, I don’t really know what a McDonald’s wife is. I do know that I’ve thought a fair amount about what it means to be a military spouse.

I’ve figured out that there’s no one way to be a military spouse, and that goes for being a military spouse with a career too.

Be Who You Want to Be: I was young (and pretty naïve) when we started my husband’s military career. Honestly, I never thought that I would give up my career for his. At the time, I had a master’s degree in English, a certificate in Education, and school districts calling me day and night to interview for positions they needed to fill. We selected our first duty station so that I could apply to a PhD program the following academic year and achieve my goal of becoming Dr. Boyle, a goal that I completed six years later.

To this day, I have never given up on my dream or career. I’ve changed my expectations, and I’ve rethought my goals, but given my field, I would have had to do that anyway. The job market for academics is comparable to that of military spouses (double whammy!), and tenure-track jobs are increasingly scarce. But right now, I’m a teacher, a writer, and an editor, all the things I would be if I were a civilian and lucky enough to find a full-time tenure track position.

Do What You Want to Do: While discussing my career with another military spouse, I casually mentioned that I finished my English degree in 2012. She laughingly asked the question that too many English majors face, “What are you going to do with a BA in English?” I corrected her, “It was my PhD, and I imagine I’ll figure it out.”

Too often, we let comments like that dictate what we do and what we dream for ourselves.

As military spouses, we can get frustrated; we can limit our dreams because we believe military spouses have to settle for whatever’s left, whatever’s available.

Maybe getting a PhD as a military spouse was a silly idea, but it was my goal. Having that degree has allowed me to have a successful career so far, and I don’t know what doors it might open in the future.

Bottom line: Don’t let OBSTACLES and ASSUMPTIONS stand in your WAY!

Want to go to school or return to school? Ed Centers, brick and mortar schools, and online classes make almost any educational goal a possibility.
 
Want to run your own business? You aren’t alone; you’ll find like-minded people at the Military Spouse Business Association.
 
Looking for a career? Need help figuring out how to reach your professional goals? Well, that’s what MSCCN is for!
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As military spouses, we face great struggles, but we also have great opportunities.
Be bright, be brave, be bold…and be you.

Story by Jamie Boyle

I consider myself an honest person—though I always try to temper my honesty with empathy and kindness. As a nonfiction writer, I’ve learned to be comfortable with uncomfortable questions, and generally have no compunction when it comes to giving an honest answer. 

As a teacher, I’ve learned that at least one student a semester will ask something that isn’t really any of their business. While most instructors tend to ignore or dismiss such questions, I try to give them some kind of answer. Is it the answer I’d give a close friend? No—not by a long shot. But I give an answer, especially if I can relate it to something that might benefit the student at a later date. 

When I answer my students and give them a slightly different answer than what I’d give my friend, am I engaging in dishonesty? Or am I merely employing a conversational tool that I’m within my rights (and in some cases, my duty) to use? 

Today, I’m here to suggest that I’m performing the latter (and that you should do the same). I’m not lying, or skirting the truth. I’m engaging in a valuable practice known as “filtering” my 
persona. By doing so, I’m respecting my right to privacy, taking ownership of my narrative, and maintaining my professionalism—three practices that make for a saner, happier self at home and at work. 

Although we may be perfectly capable of holding our cards close to the vest, there are certain social situations that seem to specialize in prying answers out of an individual at an alarming rate. Whether it’s a job interview, a recruitment fair, or a professional mixer, sometimes it’s hard to remember that the evaluation process begins before you open your mouth. Often, we remember this fact about two seconds after we’ve been asked (and have answered) a question… perhaps with more truth than discretion.

When it comes to an interview or a potential networking opportunity, sometimes we give an honest answer because we’re surprised. We tell the unvarnished truth, without thinking of our professional persona or the motivation behind the question, because we’ve been caught off guard. 

Sometimes we reveal more than we intended because we get too comfortable; we buy into the illusion that the interview or meeting really is just a conversation between friends (it’s not). 

Unlike other missteps, these slips of the tongue can be easily remedied as long as you prepare and take your time. 

If you prepare, there should be fewer surprises; and if you’re surprised, remembering to proceed slowly can give you a chance to catch yourself before you reveal more than you’d prefer. In these moments of surprise or disease, it can also be helpful to proffer a clarifying question—while you get clear on what your interviewer or new acquaintance really wants to know, you can make sure you don’t offer up information they haven’t asked for.  

Honesty vs. Obligation
As I’ve thought back on past encounters, however, I’ve also come to believe that we offer up more information than we need to for a third reason: because we feel obligated. 

It’s the job you’ve always wanted. It’s the job you need to pay your bills. It’s the location you need to cut your commute in half. It’s the networking opportunity that could open all of the doors that seem cemented shut. 

In these moments, our anxieties, fears, hopes, and dreams turn an interview or a conversation into something resembling a hostage situation: If we give a potential employer or contact everything they ask for (and some things they haven’t thought to ask), they will give us what we want. If we give them all of our honesty, they will owe us a job or an opportunity.

In these moments, our desire for an outcome can outweigh our common sense.  Suddenly, we find ourselves answering questions that an employer isn’t even legally allowed to ask.

We want them to be our boss, and we know that bosses get what they ask for… so we offer up answers without thinking of the subtext behind a question (even though we know a question about travel and working overtime could also be a legal way to figure out our family dynamics and military status).
​
It’s not lying to give your responses using more formal language than you’d use with a group of friends. You aren’t being dishonest if you don’t mention your spouse’s military affiliation while defining your own short and long term career goals (it’s illegal for an employer to ask about your marital status anyway). You should not feel compelled to offer up information about an ailing parent, a spouse navigating health challenges, or plans to become pregnant. 

This is not a matter of being honest or dishonest: it’s a matter of seeing the difference between your professional identity and your personal life. They are not one in the same—and recognizing the difference between the two shouldn’t put you in a state of anxiety. Instead, learning how to create these partitions between your personal and professional life can be liberating. 

You are not obligated to give all of yourself to any corporate organization. In the civilian world, there are parts of your life that solely belong to you.

​Story by Emilie Duck

Hiring Challenge: I wasn't receiving responses after applying for positions and trying to target my resume.

Assistance Received: The MSCCN team, including my employment specialist Angelene, provided resume reviews, helped me search for roles I qualified for, and helped me practice for interviews. 
 
Value of Experience: The most helpful aspect of MSCCN is having someone in your corner who understands the challenges frequently experienced by military spouses. Having a resource who is a sounding board and advocate is awesome.

We want YOU to be our next success! 

Register at: https://www.msccn.org/job-seeker-registration.html 

Prime PCS season is upon us. If you haven’t found a job at your current station, you may be excited about a new location and new possibilities. If you've found your dream job, you may be dreading the move and what it will bring.  If you telecommute, you may be debating whether you can actually take time off, or if you need to keep working through the move.
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Isn’t military life fun?

No matter where you are in the military spouse employment cycle, the PCS has important implications for your next career move.

“I love my job. I don’t want to move.” Many of us have been there. We’ve built a community and created a professional life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and, if we are lucky, beneficial to our bank accounts. Then, the spouse gets orders, and poof, life as we know it begins to vanish, even as we try to hold on to it.

Beyond commiserating with you, I do wonder, can the job move? Have you asked? I know there’s a good chance they’ll say no, but do your homework. Find out if there are offices located at your next duty station, if the company has a remote work policy, and if not, whether they’ll consider letting you try it out. Be prepared to persuade them and know how to address the following: how you’ll organize your work, the best methods to communicate progress, and any other circumstances you may need to overcome to perform job duties to everyone’s satisfaction.

Although you may love your job, make sure to think about whether telecommuting will be a good fit for you. Telecommuting will almost certainly change your work dynamics, so it's necessary to weigh all of the pros and cons before committing to this option. Make a list of everything you truly love about your job and see how many of those factors are tied to being on the job at that location.
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While it may not be a popular choice for some, you may also want to consider geobatching to stay in the right position. Depending on your family’s needs and priorities, you and your spouse may find that this is the best option. Whatever your choice, it’s important to remember that PCSing does not always require that you give up your job.

“I don’t have a job. Bring on the next duty station!” If you don’t have a job, want to leave your current job behind, or can’t take your job with you, then it’s time to start looking forward to new opportunities.

Get your marketing materials in order, including your resume and references.

Do your research to identify potential job openings and companies for which you would like to work. Start applying to positions and connecting with recruiters if possible.

Update LinkedIn and reach out to your network to let them know you are moving and looking for new employment opportunities.
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Get your job search in order and get ready for the rollercoaster ride that is PCSing while moving your career.  If all else fails, know you are not alone. 

 “We’re moving, my job’s moving; how am I going to get everything done?” Admittedly, to those in the prior categories, having a job that can move with you seems like an enviable position. However, should you be so fortunate, you still have PCS planning to do.

If you are PCSing, make sure you're communicating honestly with your boss. If you need to take time off, say so. If you will be without internet, say so. If you plan to get as much work done as possible pre-PCS and will then be MIA for a few weeks, say so. Communicate, set clear expectations in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises, and make sure your work supplies don't end up packed with the rest of your household goods.
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No matter which PCS scenario you find yourself in this PCS season, good luck, and remember to breathe!

​Story by Jamie Boyle

This is not a blog post about avoiding your job search. It is also not a blog post about boldly moving forward when you don’t feel like it.

This is a blog post about the simple steps you can take that will move you forward on a hot summer day when you don’t feel like thinking about a job but should be anyway.

1. Go hog wild searching online job boards. You can search any job board on your mobile device. So, go for it. Cast your net wide. Search for remote jobs. Search for local jobs. Search for jobs in your field. Search for jobs related to your field. Search for jobs that are a stretch. SEE. WHAT’S. OUT. THERE. You can do this while watching Netflix on your couch or while lounging at the pool. As a result, you may find a job that totally motivates you to actively engage your job search, or you may just figure out what jobs you should be looking for. Either way, no harm, no foul.
2. Identify the industry buzzwords you need for LinkedIn to incorporate them in your profile. If you are like me, just getting your LinkedIn profile together is a chore. Now that I have it mostly complete, I know I need to revise it to make it work better for me. And where do I find the language to make my profile work better for me? On LinkedIn itself. Don’t feel like updating your profile? Now’s your chance to surf LinkedIn and mine the profiles of people in the positions you want. Again, this profile surfing is an easy activity to compliment your channel surfing. Just make sure to keep track of the key words so that you can figure out how to incorporate them later.
3. Proofread and update your resume. Now, this activity assumes you have a resume, and I hope you do. So, tweak it. If you know what jobs you are looking for, now is a great time to make sure your resume is targeted and aligned with the job postings. Proofreading requires focus, but it’s also a step to take when you can concentrate for a few minutes. Take five minutes, and proofread for one item—verb tense, commas, misspellings—you choose! Later on, choose another issue, and spend five minutes on it.

Summer’s here. It’s easy to put the job search off until Fall, but even if you aren’t feeling it right now, take small steps to move you towards a fully-realized job search.
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You will thank yourself come Fall.

​Story by Jamie Boyle