Military Spouses face a range of unique challenges. From frequent relocation to the toll of deployment, the demands of the forces can make it difficult to maintain a healthy, happy life, let alone a career.
Here at Ex-Military Careers, we’re on a mission to support all members of the armed forces community on their journeys through civilian life, military spouses included. We understand that the weight of commitment that comes with military life is heavy and wide-reaching. We’ve put together a list of helpful advice for military spouses who might be struggling, check it out below.
Building a Portable Career
Thanks to the rise of remote working, building a portable career has never been easier. While it’s true that the number of remote opportunities has decreased over the last year, many high-paying, growth-enabled sectors (e.g., healthcare and tech) are still hiring remote workers in force. Check out our available opportunities on our jobs board for some inspiration: https://www.ex-militarycareers.com/jobs/.
If you’re struggling to unlock opportunities, building a strong online presence (aka, a personal brand) can bolster your portfolio and enhance your employability. An optimised LinkedIn profile, regularly posting industry insights, and sharing thoughtful content is a good place to start.
It's also worth considering careers that are typically less impacted by geographical change, such as online tutoring, graphic design, or freelance writing.
Childcare
Childcare can be a significant challenge for military spouses, so it’s important to understand what resources are available to help you out. For example, Service Children in State Schools (SCISS) is a voluntary affiliated network of state schools that supports and celebrates children from military backgrounds.
The UK government website has a comprehensive list of resources and insights into the various options available – you can find it here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-for-service-children.
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the range of support schemes and initiatives, such as Tax Free Childcare (TFC), early years childcare, the Wraparound Childcare Scheme (WAC), and the incredible services provided by Home-Start.
Networking
A dependable support network is a force to be reckoned with. People with experience of the armed forces life share a remarkable (and wholly unique) bond, and it can help you form more meaningful, lasting connections.
By making an active effort to network with other military spouses, professionals in your industry, and recruiters (check out Trust in SODA, Broadgate, and DeepRec.ai), you can build your support system and uncover a range of personal and professional development opportunities.
Support from Ex-Military Careers
Our extensive support platform hosts a range of specialist resources for those associated with the armed forces, from employability workshops to CV writing services and beyond. If you need help, please reach out to us by filling out an enquiry form here: https://www.ex-militarycareers.com/info/contact.asp
