A handshake seems like such a menial gesture, that it is often overlooked in everyday life and the interview process.  However, there is significant weight behind this gesture in your first impression with people you meet. Think about it...have you ever shaken someone’s hand and got an impression from it?  Either a weird vibe or instant connection right from the start? 

You often start an interview with a handshake, it serves as an invaluable first impression when meeting someone new. The subtle body language of a handshake can tell a lot about your character, and employers can use that greeting to help determine if you’re a good fit for their team. A good handshake will show respect and confidence. You should have a firm (but not tight) grip, eye contact, and a warm genuine smile.

A handshake is so important, that Forbes recently published an article that reminds readers to think about what kind of message you’re putting out with your handshake. I have to admit, I used to have the “wet noodle” handshake. I never even gave my handshake any thought, until I moved to Texas for school. All new students had to attend a workshop about handshakes. We discussed what a handshake meant and how to find confidence with our own handshakes. They prided themselves on molding professionals in the field, and it all started with a solid handshake.

In an interview, your handshake is not just a warm greeting, it also assists in breaking the ice. You get the chance to show your confidence and, in turn, get a confidence boost as well. As Eminem says, this is your one shot, your one opportunity [to make a great first impression], but make sure your palms are less sweaty. It’s easier to move into the part of the body of the interview where you can demonstrate your skills.

A handshake is also important in the closing of an interview, or even a job offer… it is also a gesture of thanks or an agreement.  In the United States, a handshake has seemingly always been very important. It is even considered a binding agreement in some instances (Gentlemen’s Agreement, anyone?). 

Have you thought about your own handshake? What vibe are you giving off when you shake someone's hand?  If not, you should.

If you’re still nervous about handshakes or your upcoming interview, let our Employment Specialists help prepare you with our interview services. ​

Written by: Zaneta Padilla

Schools around the nation are wrapping up and Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” is blasting through speakers. Summer vacation is finally here! This is the season kids dream about all year round and it’s their time to live their best life--for about a week before mom and dad are driven crazy, and all the snacks in the house are eaten.

Teenagers- we’ve all been there, using summer as an excuse to sleep all day, stay up all night, and play video games or binge watch Netflix. Instead of falling victim to the monotony of summers past, why not practice a few necessary life skills by getting a summer job? A summer job is a great way to bust the boredom, set up your teen up with a great life skills foundation, and create lasting “my first job” memories that will be remembered for years to come. I still remember my first job at Baskin Robbins where I made great friends, ate ice cream every day, and built up my forearm muscles with an ice cream scoop in hand.

Besides the great memories made, my first summer job also showed me what it was like to be on a team and to have other people depend on me. It taught me the value of hard work and basic budgeting skills. I continued this trend throughout my high school days. While other classmates were at parties, I was at work, staying out of trouble, saving up to buy all those things my parents said “no” to, and learning more about myself.

Retail and food service companies ramp up their staff to handle the influx of customers during the vacation months. These are popular positions and can fill up fast, or perhaps your teen has no interest in those types of jobs. If your teen loves being outdoors and couldn't imagine being inside all summer,  positions like a lifeguard, golf caddy, or even camp counselor could be a perfect option. If they are more of an intellectual type, tutors and even internships are also readily available through companies across the US.

After your teen recuperates from finals, allow us to help them in their job search with application and interview tips. It’s never too soon to stand out for any job!
www.msccn.org/job-seeker-registration ​

This week marks both Nurse's Week and Teacher's Week. This is a time where we take some time to appreciate these professions, and those who selflessly serve in those fields. At some point in everyone's life, everyone's been impacted by a teacher, a nurse, or both!

Teachers and nurses alike have jobs that most are not cut out for. They each need extensive education, personality traits that some of us don't have (I can hear my mother telling me now "patience is a virtue!") and state licensures. What happens when you have to pack up your license and transfer it to another state?

My very first military spouse friend discovered the path to becoming a teacher would be filled with
roadblocks, disappointment, and frustration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades
Education (yes, middle school!) and was offered an opportunity to take over a class for a teacher going on maternity leave. As the school year wrapped up she was one of just three teachers offered a contract position for the following year. Sounds like a happy ending, right? Wrong, the day prior her
husband received PCS orders. So, she did what many professional military spouses do, she prepared to move her career along with her family. She found transferring her license wouldn’t be easy, as a matter of fact, it was nearly impossible. Due to multiple factors such as state requirements, certification demands, and the costs associated with transferring a professional license she nearly gave up on her teaching career.

While I believe my friend is exceptional, her struggle is not. Thousands of military spouses face the
same struggle when attempting to transfer their professional licenses from state to state.

Most states have adopted compact agreements and license reciprocity, however, there is no
consistency. One state allows license holders to easily transfer while others require costly testing and re-certification. These requirements can be difficult to find and even more difficult to understand. If you are seeking help with transferring your professional license check out these resources:
The Defense State Liaison Office was created in 2004 to educate state lawmakers on issues that face
military families. They work in conjunction with policymakers to enact military friendly bills including
those pertaining to professional license transfers. To learn about their initiatives HERE.


Nursing-Every state but New York (come on NY, everyone else is doing it) has legislation in place to help military spouses transfer a nursing license. Twenty-Five states have adopted the Nursing License Compact which allows nurses to work in multiple states with one license. Interested in obtaining a compact nursing license visit https://www.ncsbn.org/enhanced-nlc-implementation.htm
Teachers-Transferring a teaching license is still probably the most difficult due to state-specific
requirements. Legislation is in the works and strides are being made in many states to adopt reciprocity and compact license agreements. Since this is a tough one check these resources for additional help: HERE and HERE both provide the ability to research state-specific requirements. Teacher Certification Degrees lists license reciprocity by state. 

Doctors- Forget about Doctors Without Borders, military spouse physicians are Doctors Without State Lines! Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is an agreement between 22 states which allow licensed physicians to practice across state lines. For a list of these states and how to transfer a medical license visit http://www.imlcc.org/

Attorneys- Military Spouse J.D. Network was created by two military spouses who got fed up with
challenges of maintaining a legal career while being married to the military and decided to do something about it. Since 2011 Military Spouse J.D. Network has advocated and made changes in state licensing rules for attorneys including the allowance of state bar memberships without additional exams. If you are an attorney and military spouse join this amazing group. 

The Military Spouse J.D. Network is a prime example of what a group of driven focused military spouses can accomplish (much like how MSCCN began). Can you imagine if we ever decided to take over the world?

Get involved locally. License requirements are state-specific so the best way to make a change is on a local level. Contact your state representatives and meet with elected officials to educate them on the struggles of transferring professional licenses for military spouses.

Get out and vote! If you are not registered to vote, register today and find your local election office! Let your vote be your voice.

The Lift the Relocation Burden from Military Spouses Act was introduced in Congress March 2017 by a New York state representative (ironic right?). Hopefully this Act will provide reimbursement for licensing fees, expedite license portability and require the DoD to find ways to improve military spouse employment rates. Great news, however as with all government actions this bill is slow moving, it was referred to a subcommittee on April 12, 2018. The bill was introduced to the House March 2019.(remember “Just a Bill” from School House Rock?) Next the bill will be put to a vote, then back for any changes, negotiations, and compromises. Then if everyone can agree on a version of the bill it will be off to the President for a signature and the it finally becomes a bill!

We as military spouses shouldn’t wait around on Congress, we need to take matters into our own hands. Advocate, vote, and educate yourself on license reciprocity and compact agreements, make change happen.

Written by: Amanda Marksmeier, Employment Specialist

Today, for Skilled Trades Day, let's assess the value of skilled trades, and change the stigma that college is the only direction for a meaningful career.

Historically, tradesmen became valued professionals with the rise of cities and towns. Then,as now, skilled trade workers ensure that every building’s foundation provides a sturdy base,every light shines brightly, and clean water flows through the pipes in our homes, schools, and businesses. In the past, these trades were handed down generation to generation, with children learning from their parents or a trusted member of the community. These apprenticeships then turned into subjects offered in school shop classes, which were filled with young people excited to use their hands to create something.

Over the past forty years, America has seen a decline in its population of skilled trade workers. Family businesses are closing their doors because young adults either do not have the training to keep them going, or see their family business as a part of a market that could be on its way out. Parents who have worked hard all their lives want to see their children do better, to have better, believe four-year colleges are the only way to make “better” happen. High school shop classes, once a staple, are nothing more than a distant memory, the victim of federal funding cuts and state education curriculum changes.

Although a four-year degree has become a standard answer to the “What will you do when you get out of the military?” question, it is not the only good answer. While curriculums and family businesses have changed, some of our basic needs have not. As long as we have indoor plumbing, pipes are bound to burst. The more we drive on our nation’s roads and bridges, the more we will need skilled tradesmen to ensure they are in working order, along with mechanics to ensure our automobiles will run.And if HGTV is any indication, we are never going to run out of a need for skilled carpenters, electricians, and welders.

Despite our continuing need for these kinds of skilled workers, there are currently more job openings than skilled tradesmen to fill them. According to the Bureau of Labor, there were 6.2 million manufacturing and construction jobs open in June 2017, many which went unfilled.

This gap in the skilled tradesman workforce is a perfect opportunity for many transitioning military members, veterans, and military family members. There are a wide variety of training and certifications available, most of which can be earned in a relatively short amount of time and at a reasonable cost.

As added incentive, many skilled tradesman training programs are specifically designed with military members in mind. Onward 2 Opportunity in Partnership with the Veterans Career Transition Program (O2O-VCTP) is a free, career training program that provides professional certification and job placement support to transitioning military, veterans, and military spouses. O2O also works with the Institute of Veterans and Military Families, a branch of the University of Syracuse, to offer educational and vocational training programs.

Two other excellent opportunities for military members to become skilled trade workers include Adaptive Construction Solutions and Warrior4Wireless. Adaptive Construction Solutions offers on-the-job training and apprenticeships for veterans in Texas. This program consists of a 12-day paid training period. Once training is complete, veterans are immediately placed on job sites. Warrior4Wireless, a tower tech training program, offers a two-week on-site training which results in industry recognized certifications and job placement. These are only a few of the training opportunities offered exclusively to the military community.

If you are tired of re-working your resume, and think that a corporate office job might not really be what you’re after, maybe it’s time to step back and take a good, long look at all of your options. Skilled trade positions are in demand, and the training and certifications required don’t come with the same financial burdens as college tuition. Who knows—one of those 6.2 million jobs could be the one you never knew you wanted until you tried.
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Written by: Amanda Marksmeier, Employment Specialist