Yeah, I think that pretty much covers it!

And besides just being amazing humans capable of juggling one of the most hectic lifestyles imaginable, military spouses are also more educated than their civilian counterparts on average. Eighty-nine percent of active duty spouses having some college education or higher, and of those,  28% have a 4-year degree and 14% have an advanced degree. 

More companies are catching on to the fact that if you give a military spouse the flexibility needed to accommodate their lifestyle, they will pay you back ten-fold by being an incredibly successful member of your team. Military spouses are hungry to work, especially in respected, challenging positions. Give us the opportunity to do that, and you’ll really see us shine. 

Military spouses have used our resiliency and our resourcefulness to take matters into our own hands

I just have to give a round of applause to all the spouses out there helping other spouses. It’s obvious how resourceful milsos are when you see those who have successfully found a position with a great company slinging recommendations or starting online platforms or Facebook groups or even entire companies to help their fellow spouses out. Every recommendation or referral put out there combats military spouse unemployment, one job at a time. I’m not surprised, but I am thankful for all of the support within this community. 




​
​Audrey Fairbrother is the Marketing Manager for Worldwide101, a premium remote staffing company and winner of the 2018 When Work Works Award. Worldwide101 connects demanding founders and executives with highly skilled, meticulously matched talent. Connect with Audrey on LinkedIn or Twitter.

You did it, you got that job interview you have been waiting for. It is such an exciting and nerve-wracking time. You’re not in the clear just yet, you have to actually get through the interview.

In the days leading up to your interview, it is a good idea to do some research. You’ll want to research the company to make sure that your goals, passions and drive all align with the company’s mission, and you should consider researching the industry as well as similar positions within your region.

The next step in your pre-interview routine should be to review your resume and formulate 2-4 questions for the interviewer about the company or position. Then, whether you are familiar with the area or not, it is imperative that you know where you are going. You can map directions by using GPS or by using an app on your smartphone. If you are new to the area it is always a good idea to do a test drive to ensure you will arrive promptly.


The next step in your pre-interview routine should be deciding on what to wear. It seems like a trivial thing to worry about, but every interviewee is nervous on interview day because they want to make a good first impression. Take the STRESS out of what to wear by following these simple guidelines.
​

Go for a classic, timeless look. Opt for a well-tailored suit, dress slacks, or dress/skirt. The only time you should dress casually for an interview is when they specifically tell you to. Avoid items that are too tight or loose, and that are low cut.

Wrinkles are NOT your friend. Iron or steam your outfit. Wrinkles are inevitable when you have worn an outfit all day, this does not mean you don’t need to iron. An outfit covered in wrinkles gives the impression that you do not care about the job, company or even yourself. To limit the number of wrinkles in your outfit, get dressed right before you need to leave. If your interview is at the end of your day, simply take an extra pair of dress pants to change into.

Wear sensible shoes. The days of wearing a black heel that is only 2-inches high are long gone. What isn't gone is that whatever color or style of shoe you choose to wear should be comfortable and be the finishing touch on your outfit. The last thing you want to do is wear a shoe that you cant walk briskly in for an extended period of time or that limits going on a tour of the company.

Less is more. When choosing accessories, make-up, and perfume remember that less is more. Should you wear the same make-up and accessories that you wear when you go out with your girlfriends? Probably not. Having a full smokey eye with large hoop earrings and strong perfume can be distracting when in an interview. You want the interviewer to focus on you, not your earrings.

When it comes to a pre-interview routine, the more you prepare and review the less nervous you will be on interview day. Allow yourself to shine by dressing appropriately and professionally, arriving promptly with at least 10 minutes to spare, and by doing your research. If you prepare for your interview fully you will limit the interview nerves on interview day.

March Madness captured the hearts of Americans in 1939, and has grown exponentially since.

Comprised of 68 teams (almost 9 times the amount in 1939), competing in single elimination games
over 19 days. This means that if you lose your first game, you will not have a second game. The
culmination of March Madness is the Final Four, where you guessed it, four teams face off, leaving the national championship match up.

What makes March Madness so maddening is the pure excitement and adrenaline of brackets, games, and the always fun, upsets. Even people who are not interested in regular season basketball find themselves being pulled in some aspect of March Madness, most often in the form of a March Madness Pool.

No amount of research and game watching can guarantee a win during March Madness, which is
the other reason so many people are drawn to this tournament. An underdog can find themselves on
top, maybe even champions. The 2019 March Madness games start tonight; who do you think will be
champion?
​
To Live Stream the Games go to, https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch

More employers are open to having flexible or even remote employees, and asking to work remotely is easier than most people think. What if I told you there is a way to ask your current employer to work in a remote capacity?

I was a fairly new employee, but had proven myself in the few short months that I had been there when I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t have a ton of paid time-off saved up, and wouldn’t be paid for maternity leave-- that didn’t work for me. I had to work. The plan to work remotely wasn’t something I decided overnight. It took weeks, months even, to plan out how to approach the topic.

Here are some tips that helped me convince my employer to allow remote work.

Before you sit down to formulate your proposal, make sure that you understand what working remotely means, what it takes, and how you would handle working independently. Working remotely doesn’t mean work is easier, or that your duties aren’t as important, so if working remotely isn’t beneficial to the company, or if you are a subpar employee, working remote isn’t going to work for you.

​Do your research ahead of time
The first step in the creation of any proposal is to do research. You need to research the position you are in, and the ability for the position to be remote. You’ll also need to have a full understanding of why you want to work remotely and how that benefits the company. Be prepared for any questions that your employer might ask.

Work out the logistics
You’ll need to be able to speak to the what, when, where and how of working remotely. What will you be able to do from home? Will your working hours change at all? Is this plan permanent or temporary?

Plan to have a designated working space in your home, free from distractions. Don’t forget to outline how you plan to make this work, as well as what you already have and would need in order to make it work.

Point out the company benefits
This is a HUGE point. Your company hired you to do a job, and if they don’t think that you working from home would be beneficial to the company, it won’t happen. How would your remote work impact the team? Would working remotely save the company resources, money even?

Have a backup plan
Say you’re granted your request and you get to work from home. What would you do if your internet went down, or you couldn’t access everything you needed to do your job? Think about the unexpected and include that in your plan. Believe me, the unexpected happens more than you think.

Take it for a test drive
Propose a trial period. Set the parameters, maybe include a project that needs to be completed, and request to complete it at home within the guidelines set out in your proposal. Let your employer see just how effective and efficient you can be from home. Be prepared to work out the kinks that first day working remotely, which might mean you need to log in and ensure everything works as designed before having to actually work from home.

Communication is key, make sure that you are communicating effectively and often.

Once you have your proposal created have someone you work closely with, and trust, read it and ask you questions. This will give you a good baseline for making changes if needed. Make sure that your proposal is well written, professional, and thorough.

Set up an appointment with your boss beforehand. When I created my proposal, I gave it to my direct supervisor and my department head.

A couple of weeks later we all met to discuss the proposal and go over the details. I
was so nervous, even though I was comfortable talking to both of them asking to work remote was something I had never done before. But it worked, and it worked well. So well in fact that my boss would later ask me to work remote again, which helped my family through our PCS.

If you think remote work might be right for you and you're preparing to have this discussion, sign up for our upcoming class that discusses how to work from home on March 22. 

Written by: Phylicia Vallier

I am sure you’ve seen advertisements for a job fair coming to a conference room near you and wondered if attending can make a difference in your job search. That depends on several factors, but most importantly the type of event, whether it's a job fair, career expo, hiring event or hiring fair. But aren’t these events all the same?

Short answer, no. The differences between these events can mean creating valuable connections that lead to a job or wasting a day collecting pens and mints.

The terms job fair, career expo, and hiring events often mistaken for interchangeable terms when are in actuality not the same at all.  


Job Fairs

Job fairs, also referred to as career fairs or career expos, events for employers, recruiters, and colleges, where information is provided to potential employees. These events don’t always equal jobs, but they allow job seekers to learn about the companies, schools or work-related vendors in attendance.
Job fairs are opportunities to gather knowledge and network while deciding if an employer is a good fit for your career path.

- Does the company offer flexibility?
- Is there room for advancement?
- Are there opportunities for professional growth?

These are just a few questions you should consider before accepting a job offer, and a job fair is an excellent place to get answers.


Hiring Fairs

A hiring fair or hiring event is usually sponsored by an organization (ACS, Workforce, City) or industry-specific employers (IT, Education, Healthcare). Some participants will have open positions they hope to fill and often will hold on-site interviews. Prior to the event, a list of employers will be provided, and in some cases, a list of open positions. Attending a hiring event or hiring fair provides a better chance of landing a job.

Virtual Job Fairs

Virtual job fairs take place on online forums such as chat rooms, webinars, or telecommunication environments. Job seekers register and upload their resumes for placement with specific employers or browse links of participating employers. 

​As with anything online be aware of scams. If they request payment or personal information trust your gut and just say no!

How to Get the Most Out of These Events

A list of employers will be provided in advance, so research them before the event and decide on those you plan to pursue. Treat these events like an interview and be prepared. Review the company’s website and open positions.

Hiring events will be packed with employers and eager job seekers so you won’t be able to speak with every employer.

- Choose your top five and target your resume for each company (if possible, towards specific positions) and create individual cover letters (it’s a lot of work, but job searching is a job!)
- Plan your day
- Locate your top five booths
- Practice your elevator speech. 


Prepare for the Event

You only get one chance to make a first impression so make it count! Wear a professional interview outfit, a neutral suit, or dress pants and a blazer. Ladies, it is tempting to wear heels but keep in mind you’ll be on your feet all day; sensible shoes will be your best friend. Use a portfolio or small briefcase to hold resumes, cover letters, business cards (if you have them), a couple of pens, car keys and silenced cell phone. Leave everything else at home or in the car.  

Research before you go 
I can’t stress this enough.

- Express your interest by preparing, gathering information and asking engaging questions.

- Be pleasant and polite, smile and have a firm handshake!

- Bring several copies of your resume and cover letter in addition to the targeted resumes you created for your top five employers.  


Follow Up After the Event

Follow up with the recruiters and employers you spoke with during the event.

- Be sure to collect business cards so you’ll have the correct contact information.

- Send an email or a hand-written note, within a day or two after the event. Use this opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues that arise during the event. Reiterate your interest in their company. In my family, thank you cards are mandatory, so when my mother sent a note after an interview the employer responded with a job offer. 

Job fairs and hiring events are not about collecting free company swag, they are valuable opportunities to network, learn about employers and land a job. To make the best of a hiring event, prepare, research, and plan.
​
If you are attending a job event soon, contact CASY or MSCCN.
One of our experienced Employment Specialist will be happy to help you prepare.


Written by: Amanda Marksmeier

Reentering the workforce after a notable time away can be difficult and feel nearly impossible. Let’s face it, anytime someone steps away from the job market is usually due to personal reasons (unless you hit the lottery) so having to explain this personal decision on a resume can feel overwhelming and downright frustrating.

As military spouses, we are often forced to explain employment gaps every time we apply for a job. One way to avoid the awkward “why haven’t you worked in two years?” question is to fill employment gaps with quality volunteer experience.  

Many years ago, my husband and I welcomed our third child within weeks of a deployment, so we decided I would resign and become a stay at home mom until his return. A 12-month deployment turned into 15, ending just shy of the school year. Ultimately, we decided, due to the lack of reliable and reasonably priced childcare, I would put off my reentry into the job market until fall. Then the decision came between spending hundreds of dollars on childcare and day camps or spending the summer with the kids poolside (tough decision, right?).

As the summer came to an end, I prepared to hit the ground running with an updated resume and newly purchased interview outfit. When the military version of Murphy's law struck and with it came a rapid deployment, followed by PCS orders. My one year of being a stay at home mom turned into three.

With deployment number three behind us and most of our HHG received (minus a sofa), I dusted off my resume and my interview outfit, only to be confronted with a large gap in my work history. Prior to my “sabbatical,” I had a solid ten-year work history, then three years of nothing. I did my best to explain away the gap with colorful language like “blessed to take time away,” “caring for family,” or “personal responsibilities.” These did little to convince employers I would be a committed, reliable employee.

I had to address my employment gap and ease employers’ concerns. It may seem natural to add “Household 6” on your resume, responsible for the budget and finances, day to day management of the household, organizing multiple moves, etc.

I know “military spouse” is one of toughest jobs in the military (believe me I know!), but employers don’t always see the value of hiring a military spouse. Instead, they see a liability.

​Something that can add value to your resume is volunteer work and the skills you learned while doing it. 

Military Spouses reinvent themselves on a regular basis--I'd venture to say every 3 years. As mentioned below, it's now becoming rare to get work that lines up with your college degree. I can attest to that, as I have a degree in Film and now I do Marketing and Public Relations. 

I do love where my career has taken me, and a lot of the experience is applicable across the board, but it can be EXHAUSTING to constantly have to reinvent your career! 

In the below video, Jason Shen, founder of Headlight, a performance platform,  discusses why the current model of hiring procedures misses out on a lot of great talent, because we base our decisions on experience instead of ability. 

While Jason advocates to employers about hiring based off of abilities, there are still ways you can highlight those abilities so recruiters can see how they translate. 

Your resume is your biggest asset to get you into that interview. Unfortunately, recruiters are primed to look at experience to determine eligibility, but don't let this discourage you. 

Look at the job description and what they're looking for. In your experience (don't forget to include volunteer work as experience!) plug in applicable projects you've worked that would highlight the skills that they're looking for. Your professional summary is another area that you can highlight yourself as a qualified candidate. 

Additionally, your cover letter is another piece to get you noticed. Although it's not very common anymore, it's still something recruiters want, and sometimes require. If you need help writing your cover letter, be sure to check out this post about it!

Depending on your industry, you should create and maintain a portfolio to show your work. This can be sent in with your resume to get you more visibility. Again, include volunteer work! 

You are your best resource, so once you get that interview, wow them with your talent! It's OK to tell employers you don't have the specific experience they're looking for, but that your skillset and current experience is applicable, but it's important to show them how and why you are the best candidate. 

Written by: Zaneta Padilla

Why is writing a resume so daunting? Everyone has one, it should be an easy process, right? 

True, it should be easier, but let's take a scientific approach. Since everyone has one, it's imperative to perfect that formula, so that not only do you have a resume, but now you have one that will get you noticed. 

To get help from our employment experts, sign up for our services and you'll have an assigned Employment Specialist. If you need additional help, we offer free training monthly on the topic.