NMSN Spring 2015

M A G A Z I N EApril 6, 2015, Vol. 2, Issue 1

NMSN

• RESUMES & RETURNING TO WORK • WHEN TO WALK AWAY• AUTOMATING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA • ADDING VALUE

People Who InspireMeet Janet Farley

New Feature!

Visit us online at http://nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org About Us | Join Today | Editorial | Advertise2

PRESIDENT’S LETTERSue Hoppin

MEET THE EXPERTS

OCONUS EMPLOYMENT REALITIESJanet Farley, Ed.M.

RESUMES & RETURNING TO WORKCarol Fishman Cohen

LINKEDIN PROFILE OPTIMIZATIONAmy Schofield, ACRW

THREE WAYS TO WEAR ONE DRESS Joyce Neave

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE JOB SEARCHJulie Waters

DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPSMatt Zemon

MSRRANicci Clark

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF WHILE YOU TAKE CARE OF OTHERSKrista Wells, Ph. D.

WHEN TO WALK AWAYCarol Bowser, JD

AUTOMATING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIAGreta Perry

MEET JANET FARLEY

T A B L E O FCONTENTS

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No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the Publisher.

Cover photo credit: Trish Alegre-Smith of So Your Life Images

http://soyourlife.com


I launched the network five years ago because of a singular belief that even as military spouses we can find a way to craft a portable career that is compatible with our transient military lifestyle. Since that first day, we’ve organized everything we do around sharing military spouse career information and resources, creating opportunities for our community to gather and network around career and issues, and fostering an environment for our community to support one another in our professional endeavors. It’s amazing to see how NMSN has evolved since that first event. We hope you’ll have an opportunity to attend one of our live events this year, but until then, it seems appropriate to share 5 tips that are relevant to every career minded military spouse that have been reinforced by our experts and community:

1. Always have your resume ready to go—you never know when that dream opportunity will find you and the last thing you want to do is have to pass because you’re not ready to take that next step. This goes for our entrepreneurs too. When people approach you for speaking opportunities or board positions, they’re likely going to require a resume or CV.

2. Establish yourself on social media (LinkedIn at minimum) so that you can establish your brand and network for jobs and/or clients. Being active on social media also allows you to network well before you PCS to a new location, helping to mitigate some of the challenges of the transient lifestyle.

3. Be open to opportunities. The road to a successful career for many military spouses consists of unexpected twists and turns. It’s important to recognize that there is more than one path to your desired goal and…

4. Seek out a mentor who is already doing what you aspire to do. It’s always easier to map out a path to success when you have an experienced and trusted agent to lead you through their journey. Learn from the pitfalls and successes they experienced. Then remember to pay it forward by mentoring other military spouses when you have the opportunity to do so.

5. Network, network, network. Remember that networking is not a one way street. Lend a hand where you can and don’t just go to your network when you need something. Good, authentic networking is about building and cultivating meaningful relationships.

Connect with us on Facebook /NMSNetwork and on Twitter @NMSNetwork

It’s difficult to believe that this May marks the 5th anniversary of the National Military Spouse Network! We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with you at our summit this fall. More information forthcoming, stay up to date with the latest at milspousesummit.com.

Sue Hoppin

https://facebook.com/nmsnetwork

http://twitter.com/nmsnetwork


M E E T T H E

EXPERTS

SUE HOPPIN

Sue Hoppin is the founder and president of the National Military

Spouse Network, a consultant on military family issues and the co-

author of, “A Family’s Guide to the Military for Dummies”. Before

founding the NMSN, Sue served as the first deputy director for

spouse outreach for a military affiliated non-profit with a 375,000+

membership. She is a recognized subject matter expert on military

spouse and family issues and has spoken to audiences nationwide

ranging from installation career events to leadership training

sessions and national conferences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in

international studies from the University of Denver, a master’s degree

in international relations from the University of Oklahoma and an

executive post graduate certificate in nonprofit management from

Georgetown University.

CAROL BOWSER

Carol Bowser is the president of Conflict Management Strategies Inc.

and is an expert in workplace conflict --what creates it and how to

resolve it. While she HATES arguments, she loves maintaining sanity

and increasing production by jumping into conflict to fully resolve it.

“…What I really like is listening to people’s stories and working outside

the legal system to repair workplace relationships…” She received her

law degree from Seattle University School of Law and her Mediation

Training through Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. Carol

is a speaker, trainer, and consultant for employers on how to avoid

workplace conflict.


RACHEL BRENKE

Rachel Brenke is an author, photographer, lawyer and business

consultant for photographers and bloggers. She is currently helping

creative industry and blogging professionals all over the world initiate,

strategize and implement strategic business and marketing plans

through various mediums of consulting resources and legal direction.

See more: http://www.thelawtog.com/meet-rachel-the-law-tog/

Disclaimer: I am a lawyer but I’m not your lawyer! View my entire

disclaimer HERE.

CAROL FISHMAN COHEN

Carol Fishman Cohen is a globally recognized expert on career-

reentry strategy. She is co-author of Back on the Career Track: A

Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work and

co-founder of iRelaunch (www.iRelaunch.com), the comprehensive

resource for everything related to career reentry: tools, strategies,

events, products and services. A strong advocate for the unique

value that returning professionals bring to the workforce, and for the

employers that hire them, iRelaunch has connected with a national

network of over 13,000 people through more than 185 return to work

programs and presentations. Contact [email protected].

JANET FARLEY

Janet Farley serves as a NMSN subject matter expert and she is

the author of The Military Spouse’s Employment Guide: Smart

Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles (Impact Publications, 2012). For

more military spouse employment tips and thoughts, follow her @

Smartjobchoices on Twitter.


JOYCE NEAVE

Joyce Neave is an authority on fashion and style. As founder, Joyce

has been empowering clients for over twenty years. As the owner

of That Mom Inc, and now JOYCE NEAVE style group, her work

has been featured in the Washington Post, the Washington Times,

Washingtonian Magazine, and Bethesda Magazine among others.

Joyce has been featured on WUSA9 News highlighting her wardrobe

consulting practice and providing viewers with valuable insights.

Joyce styles both women and men and is a consultant for several

media companies, associations, newspapers, and online magazines.

Joyce and her team keep clients current with fashion trends while

maintaining a classic, timeless look.

GRETA PERRY

Greta Perry, owner of Kickify, ”Pumping Up Your Web Presence,” has

branded herself both on and off-line with her positive energy, intuitive

use of technology, and networking successes. She is available for

consulting or speaking for businesses and brands of all sizes. Greta

is never far from the internet and can be contacted at Greta@kickify.

com, Facebook, Twitter @kissmygumbo @kickify @freetweetadvice,

LinkedIn, Google + or www.kickify.com.

AMY SCHOFIELD

Amy Schofield, founder of Schofield Strategies [http://

schofieldstrategies.com/], works one-on-one with individuals around

the country who are interested in personal branding and resume

writing services. Schofield Strategies’ most popular services include

editing and tailoring resumes to certain fields/specific positions,

writing resumes from scratch, military-to-civilian transition resumes,

creating cover letters and thank you letters, and developing/

optimizing LinkedIn profiles. Amy is the author of two e-books,

“Resume Writing: 101 Tips and Techniques” and “Optimizing LinkedIn

for Your Job Search”. [http://schofieldstrategies.com/e-books-

resources/]


JULIE WATERS

Julie was born and raised in Washington State. She graduated from

the University of Washington with a BA in English and earned an MS

in Human Resources Management from Troy University. She is also

a certified Professional in Human Resources. Over the last 13 years,

Julie has held various Human Resource positions starting her career

at FHC Health Systems in Norfolk, Virginia, then moving to Landrum

Professional Services in Pensacola, Florida, Cambridge Health Alliance

Physicians Organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Military

Officers Association of America in Alexandria, Virginia where she

served as the Director of Human Resources. Julie currently resides

in Spokane, Washington where she is the Human Resources and

Operations Manager for a law firm.

KRISTA WELLS

Krista Wells, Ph.D., professional speaker, writer, and a career coach,

is The Military Spouse Coach® Krista runs a career coaching private

practice that guarantees you will find a career you love in just three

months, and works with the broader community of military spouses

helping them find portable professionals they are passionate about;

her former clients and colleagues rave about her work to boot. Listen

to Krista’s NEW weekly radio show, The Military Spouse Show: www.

militaryspouseradio.com that airs on the Armed Forces Network.

Ready for career coaching, or interested in reaching out to Krista for

your next spouse event? Go to: www.militaryspousecoach.com for

more information.

MATT ZEMON

As President and CEO, Matt Zemon brings more than 20 years of

operations, billing and customer service experience to American

Support. American Support was created to help video, voice and

data companies succeed by operating efficiently, consistently and

with excellent customer service, making life better for our clients,

employees and families while supporting our country. Matt has

been named one of the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40

winners and one of Business Leader magazine’s Top 50 Catalyst

Entrepreneurs.


OCONUS

Employment Realities

by Janet Farley, M.D.

You’ve PCS’ed to a foreign land where U.S. dollars are relegated to on-installation or on-line purchases or to ever-fluctuating conversion rates for host nation currency. Welcome to your temporary home away from home Outside the Continental United States or OCONUS.

Whether military orders have sent you to Europe, Asia or the Pacific, you can bet that exciting opportunities for travel, shopping and experiencing new cultures await you.

Professionally minded spouses, however, be forewarned. There may be new realities ahead:

THE BALANCE OF THE UNIVERSE IS SHIFTING AND U.S. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD WILL BE IMPACTED.

Bases in Europe are closing or consolidating. Troop levels are going to be cut and that means a significant shift of personnel and families to other parts of the world. While Europe may experience reduced spousal employment opportunities, Asia and the Pacific regions may see an increase in them. Or not. Contact the installation employment readiness manager at the family center for local details.


ON-INSTALLATION JOBS WILL BE LIMITED REGARDLESS.

If you are stationed in a large military community, you will have a better chance at finding a job than if you were stationed at a smaller one. Nevertheless, job opportunities on any installation will most likely be limited. Typically, employment options include:

• Appropriated federal employment (GS jobs)

• Non-appropriated (NAF) federal employment (MWR jobs)

• Defense contracting (mission-related and community services)

• Non-profit (USO, Red Cross)

These aren’t typical times, however so expect stiff competition for opportunities as other spouses, family members, transitioning service members and host nation employees may be applying for them as well.

WORKING OFF THE INSTALLATION MAY NOT BE PERMITTED.

Whether you are legally allowed to work in a job off the installation OCONUS depends on the unique Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) between the host nation and the United States. If you do work outside the gate, you will most likely need to have a working command of the local language and be required to pay taxes. Consult with the OCONUS employment readiness program manager or the legal office for details.

OCONUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT IS A GRAY AREA.

While the idea of portable self-employment is a good one, it can be problematic overseas depending on the type of business you have, where you want to operate it from and the command/host nation climate for allowing it.

Currently, there is no universal guidance concerning it. Speculatively speaking, without renegotiation of the SOFA on

a country-by-country basis, there is not likely to be any in the near future.

That said, OCONUS-based spouses have reported being happily self-employed strictly through cyberspace, avoiding any overt host nation or command issues in the process.

If you are self-employed overseas, you are not permitted to use the military postal system, shopping venues or government-registered vehicle for business purposes.To work from military quarters, you need installation commander approval. On or off

These aren’t typical times,

however so expect stiff competition

for opportunities.


installation, you may also need to register with local authorities and pay Federal and/or host nation taxes.

IT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR OR LONGER TO FIND A JOB.

With job opportunities being limited to begin with, you may have to settle for a job outside of your career area or for which you are vastly overqualified. If you are a two-paycheck dependent family, be prepared for a one-paycheck possibility.

THE MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP (MSEP) CAN HELP.

If you haven’t already registered to use the MSEP Career Portal [https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/] , do it now. It can link you to employers receptive to hiring military spouses. In some OCONUS locations where the SOFA permits it, MSEP is also partnering with host nation employers to hire military spouses.

ENHANCE YOUR FUTURE MARKETABILITY.

While you search for that OCONUS job, continue to beef up your resume by taking classes, working on a professional credential, and/or by volunteering in the community.

Janet Farley serves as a NMSN subject matter expert and she is the author of The Military Spouse’s Employment Guide: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles (Impact Publications, 2012). For more military spouse employment tips and thoughts, follow her @Smartjobchoices on Twitter.


RESUMES AND

Returning to Work

by Carol Fishman Cohen

HOW DO I DESCRIBE MY MILITARY SPOUSE VOLUNTEER WORK ON MY RESUME?

Military spouses face a specific challenge when creating their resumes. Frequent moves and the use of volunteer work to maintain career continuity require special treatment when documenting a career path.

Some military spouses wonder whether their volunteer work is worthy of mention on the resume. If the volunteer work is substantial, as military spouse volunteer roles tend to be, then the answer is yes.

Also consider using volunteer experiences as a way to stay current in your field, especially if you can find volunteer roles that match your professional interests. For example, if you are a finance person, try to take on a role as treasurer or accountant. If you are in communications, take charge of the online newsletter. If you are an event planner or fundraiser, take on event planning and fundraising roles.

Take a look at the volunteer section below on military spouse Jennifer Cropper’s resume


and notice the following:

1. She describes the volunteer experience just as she would paid work. In fact, on her resume, this volunteer experience is listed in the same section as her paid work. She calls the section “Experience”.

2. She describes the volunteer experience using active words such as “recruited”, “interfaced”, “headed team”, “created”, and “implemented”.

3. She quantifies results whenever possible. “My recruiting efforts resulted in a 25% increase in membership.”

4. She uses business terms such as “marketing campaign” and “membership recruitment”.

EXPERIENCE

09/2005–05/2011 President, First Vice President, Membership Chair, and Programs

Co-Chair—Officers Spouses Clubs at Langley, Maxwell, Osan Air Force Bases and

Stuttgart Joint Military Community, Germany

• Recruited new members into the Officers Spouse’s Club by developing a

successful marketing campaign promoting community relations. My efforts

resulted in an increase of over 100 international spouses who joined the

organization.

• Aided in the redesign of club websites and redesign of monthly newsletters to

promote memberships and ease navigation. My recruiting efforts resulted in a

25% increase in membership.

• Interfaced with leaders of Maxwell Air Force Base to rewrite the club constitution

allowing retired military spouses membership into the organization. My efforts

increased membership recruitment by 30 retirees in one year.

• Headed team of governing board members to update the Bylaws and

Constitution of the Langley OSC by advising on the base and Air Force policies,

procedures, and guidelines for all non-profit organizations.

• Created and implemented fundraisers to raise scholarship and community welfare

funds by focusing on local business owners and marketing military awareness.

Recruited over 30 business owners as partner, which resulted in raising over

$200,000 in scholarship funds and $10,000 for community improvements.


Keep in mind when creating your resume that it is perfectly legitimate to include substantive volunteer work. Describe that volunteer work exactly as you would describe paid work—using active words, quantifying results, using business terms—and listing the experience in chronological order, side by side with your paid work experience.

To recap, keep in mind when creating your resume that it is perfectly legitimate to include substantive volunteer work. Describe that volunteer work exactly as you would describe paid work—using active words, quantifying results, using business terms—and listing the experience in chronological order, side by side with your paid work experience.

Carol Fishman Cohen is a globally recognized expert on career-reentry strategy. She is co-author of Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work and co-founder of iRelaunch (www.iRelaunch.com), the comprehensive resource for everything related to career reentry: tools, strategies, events, products and services. A strong advocate for the unique value that returning professionals bring to the workforce, and for the employers that hire them, iRelaunch has connected with a national network of over 13,000 people through more than 185 return to work programs and presentations. Contact [email protected].

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LINKEDIN PROFILE

Optimization

by Amy Schofield, ACRW

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful networking tools available today and can be used by job seekers as well as entrepreneurs to further their branding. However, it is one thing to just set up a profile and “be” on LinkedIn, but it is another thing to actually create a strong impact statement and utilize profile search optimization techniques to help you further your professional brand and career goals.

So, are you on LinkedIn? And, if you are, does your profile come up as one of the top profiles when prospective hiring managers or clients perform a search on someone within your career field or

industry? If your answer is “no” or “not sure”, then you may want to polish up your LinkedIn profile and implement some of the following techniques:

✔ ADD A PROFESSIONAL PICTURE AND CREATE A STRONG HEADLINE, INTRODUCTION, AND IMPACT SUMMARY STATEMENT.

Highlight accomplishments and list competencies using keywords right in your profile’s introduction. Make it as easy as possible for prospective hiring managers or clients to view this information. Keep in mind that searches conducted on LinkedIn display only photos, names, and headlines,


making it essential to have a good headline and professional picture.

✔ THE MORE PEOPLE YOU ARE CONNECTED TO ON LINKEDIN, THE MORE VISIBLE YOU WILL BE IN LINKEDIN SEARCHES.

LinkedIn sets the number of connections to 500 in order to be considered a “top search” connection, so start building your network! Always draft a short, personalized note in the message when you are trying to make a new connection. Do not just use the standard LinkedIn message when reaching out to your contacts.

✔ ASK COLLEAGUES FOR ENDORSEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH ARE GREAT WAYS FOR PROSPECTIVE HIRING MANAGERS OR CLIENTS TO SEE WHAT YOUR CONNECTIONS THINK ABOUT YOU.

A profile with more endorsements and positive recommendations is generally more highly regarded than a profile without any endorsements or recommendations.

✔ BUILD CREDIBILITY BY JOINING GROUPS ON LINKEDIN AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT MEMBERS OF THE GROUP CAN VIEW.

You never know when prospective hiring managers or clients may be reading posts, so show off your expertise any chance that you get.

✔ SEARCH FOR YOURSELF BY KEYWORD USING YOUR INDUSTRY OR JOB TITLE AND SEE WHERE YOUR PROFILE SHOWS UP IN A LINKEDIN SEARCH.

This is a great way to evaluate your optimization efforts. Can you find your profile within the first few pages? If not, neither can prospective hiring managers or clients.

Remember, building out your LinkedIn profile is just the beginning. Ensure that you engage with your connections and really build your presence on LinkedIn to show prospective hiring managers and clients what makes you stand out from everyone else!

Amy Schofield, founder of Schofield Strategies [http://schofieldstrategies.com/], works one-on-one with individuals around the country who are interested in personal branding and resume writing services. Schofield Strategies’ most popular services include editing and tailoring resumes to certain fields/specific positions, writing resumes from scratch, military-to-civilian transition resumes, creating cover letters and thank you letters, and developing/optimizing LinkedIn profiles. Amy is the author of two e-books, “Resume Writing: 101 Tips and Techniques” and “Optimizing LinkedIn for Your Job Search”. [http://schofieldstrategies.com/e-books-resources/]

Ensure that you engage with your

connections and really build your presence.



THREE WAYS TO

Wear 1 Dress

by Joyce Neave

WORK

Be confident. Go professional with a pretty blazer, classic pumps and a stunningly understated handbag.

MANGO Peplum blazerJ.Crew Etta canvas stripe pumpsTory Burch Robinson Dome Satchel


DATE NIGHT

Have fun with a leather jacket, great heels and fabulous clutch.

Piperlime DressAlice + Olivia Hoffman Leather Moto JacketStuart Weitzman FrenchcuffBCBGMAXAZRIA Mina Cage Clutch

WEEKEND DAY

Relax, enjoy your weekend with a pretty scarf, cool sunglasses, trendy sandals, and nautical inspired tote.

Old Navy Womens Gauze Bird Print ScarvesMANGO Metal plate sunglassesGUESS Barin Fringed Suede SandalsFolli Follie Stripes Shoulderbag

Joyce Neave is an authority on fashion and style. As founder, Joyce has been empowering clients for over twenty years. As the owner of That Mom Inc, and now JOYCE NEAVE style group, her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Washington Times, Washingtonian Magazine, and Bethesda Magazine among others. Joyce has been featured on WUSA9 News highlighting her wardrobe consulting practice and providing viewers with valuable insights. Joyce styles both women and men and is a consultant for several media companies, associations, newspapers, and online magazines. Joyce and her team keep clients current with fashion trends while maintaining a classic, timeless look.


THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

in the Job Search

by Julie Waters

WHAT DOES YOUR ONLINE PROFILE LOOK LIKE? HAVE YOU GOOGLED YOURSELF?

As I Google myself, I find I am the third Julie Waters that pops up, and it happens to be my profile on the NMSN website! The first Julie is a musician, the second is actually Julie WALTERS, who is an actress from the Harry Potter movies. The bottom line is, if you were an employer looking online for information on me, even if you mistake me for someone else, it doesn’t look too bad for me. Can you say the same?

Sometimes you can’t help what comes up

on a Google search about you, so you do need to make the most of social media to take control of your online presence. You need to participate and contribute. I don’t mean having 900 Facebook friends, or 500 LinkedIn contacts, because sheer numbers doesn’t make you a participant. Are you networking or stalking? Friends and contacts, even if few in numbers, can be valuable if you use them appropriately for your job search.

LINKEDIN IS THE LARGEST PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING SITE.

It is a place to not only document your career path, but to really highlight your


strengths. Make sure your information on the site is current and accurate. There are groups for your profession where you can network with people with careers or industries similar to yours. Use the groups to ask questions, answer questions and read information about your profession. This is where you need to contribute and get your name out there. As adults we typically learn from stories, so to have access to all of those questions and answers is an opportunity you shouldn’t pass up. In addition to being one of the top places many employers look for information about their candidates, LinkedIn also features a handy job board.

TWITTER IS NOT NECESSARILY THE FIRST THOUGHT YOU MAY HAVE FOR FINDING EMPLOYMENT, BUT YOU MAY BE SURPRISED.

Depending on who you choose to follow, there may be links to articles about changes in your industry and even news about your dream company. If you choose to follow specific companies, you may learn about expansion of their business and therefore job opportunities. Some tweets may even link directly to job opening announcements. A company’s tweets would also be important research before an interview, providing you with any of the latest announcements by that company. There are some specific professions that frequently use Twitter as part of the job—Marketing, Public Relations, Media and Fundraising just to name a few. In my experience Non-Profit organizations are also prolific users of Twitter; leveraging the free platforms

allows them to effectively get their name and cause out to the public.

FACEBOOK CAN ALSO BE A USEFUL TOOL IN YOUR JOB SEARCH.

Not only do companies post jobs on their pages, but some of your friends may as well. Similar to Twitter, if you “Like” the companies that you are interested in, you will likely see press releases and other announcements regarding growth or changes. However, you should use caution and discretion when it comes to the social media giant. If you post where you work as part of your profile, you become a de facto ambassador for your organization. Posting comments like “Our Board members are idiots”, “My boss is such a jerk”, or “Our customers are so obnoxious”, could get you in some trouble, especially if that promotion you are looking at, or the interview for that new job you wanted is coming up soon. Posts on Facebook that you may think are harmless may have an effect on a potential employer.

Aggressive statements about political affiliations may turn some people off. Photos from your “Friends” pages in which you have been tagged might not put you in the most professional light. Pages that you “Like” can say something about you that you might not want an employer to know. Employers are not allowed to make hiring decisions based on the kinds of things that can be found on a Facebook page (e.g. race, family/marital status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation), but that is not to say that a hiring manager won’t see something that might influence


environment. Just like any other weapon in your arsenal for a job search, social media can work wonders, but you need to be smart and be discreet in order for it to help you.

them, even though they shouldn’t let it. EVEN POST-INTERVIEW COMMENTS MIGHT BE A DEAL BREAKER.

Something as simple as, “I was so nervous I was sweating like a pig! I hope I get it!” Or something much worse, “They were tools but they are going to pay me a lot of money, so I’ll take it!” (Yes, that one actually happened!) The lesson here is to be discreet and to act professionally. Don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t want an employer to see.

NOW ALL OF THIS ONLINE RESEARCH IS A TWO WAY STREET.

If you know the name of your interviewer, Google them, look them up on LinkedIn and Facebook. You aren’t looking for dirt, just a couple of talking points. I looked up a woman that was going to interview me a couple of years ago. I found out that we had one friend in common on Facebook and that she had been posting to theknot.com which is a site for engaged people to compare wedding ideas. I was able to casually notice her engagement ring during the interview and got her talking about her big day. She thought I was great! We don’t work together, but we still have lunch and talk about our profession and she is a great networking resource.

If you are already working, use this time to build your networks on social media. It will keep you current so that if you do find yourself looking for work in the future, you aren’t stepping into an uncomfortable

Julie was born and raised in Washington State. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in English and earned an MS in Human Resources Management from Troy University. She is also a certified Professional in Human Resources. Over the last 13 years, Julie has held various Human Resource positions starting her career at FHC Health Systems in Norfolk, Virginia, then moving to Landrum Professional Services in Pensacola, Florida, Cambridge Health Alliance Physicians Organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Military Officers Association of America in Alexandria, Virginia where she served as the Director of Human Resources. Julie currently resides in Spokane, Washington where she is the Human Resources and Operations Manager for a law firm. Julie was lucky enough to choose a career that easily transfers between employers as her husband’s assignments moved them from city to city. She holds a special interest in career building for military spouses as she feels it is important to have something personal outside of our military lifestyle.

Be smart andbe discreet.


DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL

Partnershipsby Matt Zemon

YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS ELECTRICITY—SHOULD YOU BUILD YOUR OWN POWER PLANT?

Look around your business operations. What are you trying to create or maintain that is not part of your true core business? These items are distractions from giving you the time to focus on what you can truly be great at. Once you identify those items it is time to look for a business partnership that can do those pieces better for you.

Whether you call it a vendor relationship, strategic alliance or a partnership, joining forces with other businesses will leverage

your strengths as well as open doors to new efficiencies and opportunities. I prefer the term partner because it sets the tone for the relationship and lets everyone in both organizations know that this is a two-way relationship that is integral to our success.

BY DEFINITION A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP IS A RELATIONSHIP THAT ADDS VALUE TO BOTH PARTIES BASED ON THE INITIAL BUSINESS PURPOSE.

From that foundation there are often additional ways to gain access to purchasing savings from new sources, facilitate expansion or use the relationship


to speed up the time it takes to bring products to markets.

In my experience, leveraging relationships with cloud based sales and service businesses provide even more partnership benefits including the ability to tap into a nationwide talent pool and the ability to scale up or down to meet customer demand without the traditional capital expenses. Good cloud partners are constantly improving their functionality and passing those product enhancements on to you. They can strengthen your business’ security by being available 24/7 to watch over your technology and make sure it is working with multiple, geographically dispersed data centers for disaster recovery. Cloud based business support partners allow you to implement new initiatives faster and easier, with a stable monthly operating cost and very little IT staff.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING ESTABLISHING SUCH A PARTNERSHIP, SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT YOUR MOST PRESSING BUSINESS NEEDS AND WHAT KIND OF PARTNERSHIPS WILL FULFILL THOSE NEEDS.

Acknowledge that such partnerships will require an investment of time just like an internal resource would and make sure that you are comfortable with the time to benefit ratio. Even though they are an outside company, I recommend having regular performance review meetings just like you would with an internal resource to make sure that both parties are aligned in their expectations and the measurement

of results.

As you evaluate your potential partners, make sure that prospective partners share most of the same business priorities that you do and that when applicable your sales initiatives and compensation structures are mutually supportive. Take the time to understand and have confidence in the mutual ongoing management of the partnership and to share your management philosophy and vision of the future with them.

The balance of power in business partnerships is just like any relationships, an ebb and flow, but the end-game should be a relationship where both parties are stronger in the end and where results can be achieved far more quickly than going it alone.

As President and CEO, Matt Zemon brings more than 20 years of operations, billing and customer service experience to American Support. American Support was created to help video, voice and data companies succeed by operating efficiently, consistently and with excellent customer service, making life better for our clients, employees and families while supporting our country. Matt has been named one of the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 winners and one of Business Leader magazine’s Top 50 Catalyst Entrepreneurs.


MSRRA

by Nicci Clark

In 2009, President Obama signed into law the “Military Spouse Residency Relief Act,” which specifically amended the income tax protections of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) to include income tax protections for active duty service members’ spouses.

While the income tax protections for military spouses are now over five years old, it is far from clear to most military spouses how we are actually protected. In order to best apply this law, you should know which category you fall into.

THOSE WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROTECTIONS OF THE MSRRA

If you are not legally married to an active duty service member, then you are ineligible for the protections of the MSRRA. Common examples include those who are married to a retired service member, children of an active duty service member, or, for same-sex couples, those who live in a state that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage. If you aren’t protected by the MSRRA, then you must follow the laws of the state where you are currently living. When it comes to income taxes, for example, if you have earned income in the state where you live, you must file and


pay income taxes in accordance with your state’s laws. Period.

THOSE WHO DO NOT NEED THE PROTECTIONS OF THE MSRRA…AT LEAST FOR NOW

If you have no earned income, then generally speaking, you don’t need the protections of the MSRRA. Likewise, if you have earned income but are living in a state that doesn’t have a state income tax, then you do not need the protections of the MSRRA. We all know how quickly our circumstances can change, however, so keep reading on. You may need the protections of the MSRRA when you get to your next assignment.

THOSE WHO ARE PROTECTED BY THE MSRRA, BUT ONLY FOR NOW

Twenty-two states require that active duty military member and his/her spouse be residents of the same state in order for the spouse to enjoy the income tax protections of the MSRRA. If you are a Tennessee resident, married to an active duty service member who is a Texas

resident, and you are stationed South Carolina (which doesn’t require that you and your spouse be a resident of the “same state” to enjoy the protections of the MSRRA), then you would pay no income taxes at all, since Tennessee doesn’t have a state income tax. Consider what happens when you move to Georgia, however. You and your spouse might both be residents of states with no income tax (TX and TN), but Georgia requires that you and your spouse be residents of the “same state” in order to enjoy the protections of the MSRRA. Thus, you would pay income taxes to the state of Georgia.

Whether you are in a “same state” rule situation depends on what state you currently live and work in. Be sure that when you are hiring a CPA, you ask him/her whether he/she is familiar with the provisions of the MSRRA, and make sure that you are carefully following the rules of the state in which you live and work.

THOSE WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE PROTECTED BY THE MSRRA

For those of you who share the same state

In summary, if you are the legal spouse of an active duty service member who has

earned income, you are eligible for and in need of the protections of the MSRRA.


of residency with your active duty spouse, you are most likely to be protected by the MSRRA. The most common remark I hear is “I am a Florida resident….I think.” There are no hard and fast rules for what makes you a “resident,” but making this declaration is the first step in determining whether you are a resident of a particular state. The next most important indicator, for purposes of the MSRRA, is what state you are registered to vote in. Beyond that, there are only so many things you can do to indicate residency in a certain state when you are moving every few years, but you would be wise to strengthen your case and, of course, keep good records.

In summary, if you are the legal spouse of an active duty service member who has earned income, you are eligible for and in need of the protections of the MSRRA. The best way to protect your eligibility is to become a resident of the same state as your active duty spouse. That way, no matter what state you move to and earn income in, you will remain eligible for the protections of the MSRRA. To be confident that you are a resident of a state, especially one where you’ve not actually lived, you need to really become a resident of that state. Adopting your active duty spouse’s state as your own for purposes of avoiding state income or


property taxation in the state where you live can have serious legal and financial ramifications.

Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors for tax advice.

Nicci Clark is currently stationed alongside her husband at Robins AFB, GA, where she serves as a Key Spouse Mentor for the 12ACCS. She has served on several OSC Boards, including Columbus AFB, MS; AFOWC, DC; Ramstein AB, Germany; and Robins AFB, GA. She is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association and the MSJDN and was recently selected to join the 2014 Robins Region Leadership Class.

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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF WHILE YOU

Take Care of Othersby Krista Wells, Ph. D.

Military spouses have a reputation for juggling a lot of things all at once. They work, support their service member, take care of their kids, and somehow also find time to volunteer in areas they are passionate about. The one thing military spouses rarely ever do is push the “pause” button.

We talk a lot about the logistics of obvious military life stresses such as deployments, multiple moves, reintegration and/or caring for a returning spouse and rarely talk about how impossible it feels to find enough energy to do it all. We try to avoid talking or thinking about the constant subtle stress that exists in our

hearts—the “what ifs” and the underlying, less identifiable anxiety that we live with. Yet, these things exist and leave us feeling more off balance than our civilian friends, so why do we feel so guilty about tending to ourselves?

As a working military spouse and mom, I know firsthand that we tend to focus on what we haven’t done yet. What we need to do is to look at our bigger picture. It doesn’t matter who you are, how skilled you are, or how evolved you are, it’s impossible to put equal amounts of energy into every part of your life. To make progress, you just have to accept that there will be times when you’ll feel off


balance and bring on some interventions.

One strategy to help you bring some balance into your life is self care. Yes, manicures and massages count, but there are many options when it comes to self care. It includes things like: improving your support systems, creating new healthy habits, giving yourself time for daily reflection, taking actions that honor your passions, and even keeping some fun things on hand to cheer you up when you need to be cheered up. I keep thank you notes from old clients and photos of my kids being silly that I can look at when I am having a bad day at work, which works as an instant stress reliever.

Another strategy is to pursue your passions. According to research, working in areas you love can actually lower stress and anxiety for both you and the people you serve. Years ago, when I was a key volunteer for the Marines, I realized I wanted to do more than plan pre-ball icebreakers, and host cookie exchanges. I wanted to help military spouses take their careers and lives to the next level. Volunteering helped me figure out where to start and how to proceed.

Finally, choosing the right work is essential. If you are a natural chef, maybe you can teach people how to prepare simple meals or start an online recipe club. If you love crocheting hats for babies in hospitals, maybe you can teach a crocheting class so others can contribute too. Whatever you choose to do, look for volunteer and work opportunities that align with what you

want. Not sure what you want? Consider working with a career coach to help get you on track and align your values, skills, and interests with your work.

As you continue to juggle family, work, and supporting a spouse that serves, making time for your own personal and professional development is essential. For example, I’m passionate about helping people grow, so I continue to read personal development books. As I continue to grow, I ensure a level of depth and understanding for the people I work with. Another one of my professional goals is to expand my coaching practice by

speaking to a broader audience of military spouses, so I joined Toastmasters to get more comfortable in front of a larger audience. I encourage you to think about the skills you are motivated to use and look for opportunities to create win/win scenarios too.

In the book, “How Can I Help?”, the authors explain the distinction between helping with what we do and helping

Making time for your own personal

and professional development is

essential.


at a deeper level with who we are. “We work on ourselves, then, in order to help others. And we help others as a vehicle for working on ourselves.” Appreciating the connection between our progress and our service strengthens our ability and desire to participate with all that we have to offer. Taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish. It’s a way for us to offer the best of ourselves, and to inspire others with our energy and enthusiasm. So, stop feeling guilty when you need to recharge!

Krista Wells, Ph.D., professional speaker, writer, and a career coach, is The Military Spouse Coach® Krista runs a career coaching private practice that guarantees you will find a career you love in just three months, and works with the broader community of military spouses helping them find portable professionals they are passionate about; her former clients and colleagues rave about her work to boot. Listen to Krista’s NEW weekly radio show, The Military Spouse Show: www.militaryspouseradio.com that airs on the Armed Forces Network. Ready for career coaching, or interested in reaching out to Krista for your next spouse event? Go to: www.militaryspousecoach.com for more information.

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NMSN newsletters and digital magazines feature a wide range of articles dealing with

every aspect of military spouse careers.

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WHEN TO

Walk Away

by Carol Bowser, JD

The National Military Spouse Network is dedicated to providing opportunities for career advancement for military spouses. Having resources such as NMSN is essential as you work on developing yourself personally and professionally. However, sometimes resources aren’t enough and you may find yourself in a job that’s not a great fit. When you find yourself in that position, first know that other opportunities DO exist. Second, leveraging your resources, build a network to help you find your next opportunity. We’re going to take some time to talk about when you should consider making a change, but before jumping in, let me say that deciding to leave a job is often

a touch decision, even if it seems like an obvious choice.

YOU MIGHT CONSIDER LEAVING IF:

1. You are an independent contractor or a business owner, and you are treated like an employee. Clients can be confused. If you are an independent contractor or business owner, you control the how and when the work is accomplished. Clients who start demanding that you show up to work on site “because we like to have you around” or who begin treating you like a minion instead of a business person are likely confusing you with an employee.


2. You are treated like a bad employee, even when you perform well. Yes, there are personality clashes at work. I am talking about something different. I am talking about when you are feeling personally undermined despite repeated attempts to bridge the relationship gap.

3. Your knowledge, skills, talent and interests are no longer being served AND there is little to no chance that things will change AND you know this because you have had a direct conversation with your boss.

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• “What am I trying to get out of this experience?”

• “Do I feel taken advantage of?”

• “Am I getting what I expected?” or “Am I getting what I expected but a different way?”

• “What are my skills and talents?” or “Does my employer know?”

• Is the emotional toll bleeding out to other areas in your life?

• Are you are being kept awake at night?

• Do you have less time, patience and attention for your family? Your family lets you know in subtle ways that even when you are there you aren’t really “there?”

• Are you are crying? Are you are angry? Do you are feel beat up or helpless?

Know that “leaving” does not always mean “quitting.” You can “leave” a position or supervisor by transferring to a different department. You can “leave” by renegotiating workload and focus. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of Lean In, tells us that our career isn’t a ladder, it is a jungle gym with many ups, downs, lateral moves and leaps of faith. No one will care more about your career than you. What looks great on paper may fall flat in real life. You can and should make deliberate choices about your life and career. If you need some additional help, I have provided you some of my favorite resources below. Now, go play on that jungle gym.

RESOURCES

• The Set Up To Fail Syndrome: Overcoming the Undertow of Expectations by Manzoni & Barsoux

• The Way We Work by Ulrich-Tobias

• Everyday Negotiation by Kolb

• Up Is Not the Only Way by Kaye

• American Bar Association’s Legal Guide for Military Families


Carol Bowser is the president of Conflict

Management Strategies Inc. and is an expert in

workplace conflict—what creates it and how to

resolve it. While she HATES arguments, she loves

maintaining sanity and increasing production

by jumping into conflict to fully resolve it. “…

What I really like is listening to people’s stories

and working outside the legal system to repair

workplace relationships…” She received her law

degree from Seattle University School of Law and

her Mediation Training through Pierce County

Center for Dispute Resolution. Carol is a speaker,

trainer, and consultant for employers on how to

avoid workplace conflict.

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when you place an ad with the NMSN!Attract new clients. Gain more business.

Contact us for more information: [email protected]

mailto:info%40milspousenetwork.org?subject=Re%3A%20Fall%20eMag%202014


AUTOMATING YOUR

Social Mediaby Greta Perry

Being efficient with our limited time is what we all strive to do. When it comes to managing our social media platforms such as: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google Plus, LinkedIn and others, we’re all looking for ways to save time through automation where possible. Third party applications like: Hootsuite, Hubspot, Sprout Social, Buffer and Rignite can help you plan out and streamline your social media messages. However, it’s important to remember that it’s worth putting some protective measures in place to make sure you’re automating your feeds correctly. We work to so hard to establish and build our brands that we want to do what we can to prevent potentially damaging them.

One simple lesson to keep in mind is to treat each social media platform a little bit differently when planning out and streamlining your social media messages. Another is to look at all the pros and cons and do the cost benefit analysis to determine if automating you platforms will work for you and to what extent.

PROS• Saves you time.• Allows you to plan out your messages. • Allows a team to collaborate and check for accuracy. • Helps control the message you put out.


• You can schedule for the time that best fits your audience even if it’s not the time that fits you best.

CONS• Can feel robotic and impersonal. • Can go live at the wrong time (during a natural disaster or tragedy). • Can be easy to schedule and forget.

The “cons” should be taken very seriously as these are the things that can truly hurt your brand. Remember, automating your feeds doesn’t mean you can just schedule and walk away. You should be monitoring your social media and respond to your customers in real time.

For example, I schedule information about my upcoming fabulous business event I’m throwing for Tuesday at 9 AM. I’m going to be busy driving to the event at that time, so I schedule a third party application to get the message out for me. People start commenting on social media that they need directions and asking questions about cost, but I’m driving and as soon I get there, I have to work on the event, so no one is monitoring the feed and they’re not getting the answers they’re looking for. This is an example of how you can potentially damage your brand by automating your feed to send out information without following up and having anyone monitor the platform to respond to questions and comments.

Another con is using automated social media during a time of a natural disaster or tragedy and forgetting about scheduled

messages and not going back to delete content that might be inappropriate and/or ill timed due to recent events. This happens all the time, even with major brands. Don’t be “that person” that sends out the great planned tweet about rainbows and sunshine, while a natural disaster has just stuck a neighboring community. This is the time to either halt your social media or send out a “thinking of all those impacted by,” message.

Understanding the potential downsides of automating your social media feeds will help you thoughtfully craft your process moving forward. Managed correctly, third party tools can help you automate your platforms and save you time and energy.

Remember that whatever method you choose to use to help you maintain your online voice/brand efficiently, you should have some type of measure in place to evaluate your efficiency. Also, remember that the secret to good social media automation management is to make your audience forget you are doing it. Send out your messages, but be there to engage and be social with your audience!

Greta Perry, owner of Kickify, ”Pumping Up Your Web Presence,” has branded herself both on and off-line with her positive energy, intuitive use of technology, and networking successes. She is available for consulting or speaking for businesses and brands of all sizes. Greta is never far from the internet and can be contacted at [email protected], Facebook, Twitter @kissmygumbo @kickify @freetweetadvice, LinkedIn, Google + or www.kickify.com.


Join us for the 5th Annual MilSpouse Summit

FALL 2015Register online at http://milspousesummit.com

“I really enjoyed meeting and just spending time with others. It has also given me confidence to pursue

my career AND be a committed military spouse!”


MEET

Janet FarleyPhoto by Trish Alegre-Smith

If you’re a career minded military spouse, you probably have one of Janet Farley’s books on your bookshelf. Between her books and the articles she writes for multiple publications (including our own NMSN newsletter and magazine), Janet has established herself as an expert on military spouse career/employment issues. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit with her in Germany and learn more about what led her to her career path.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF! (FAMILY, CAREER, HOBBIES, ETC…)

On a professional level, I am a job search and careers expert with over 20 years of experience working with military spouses and transitioning service members seeking employment and career satisfaction. I have worked both within the DoD and within private industry.

I have authored seven career books to include “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles,” (Impact Publications, 2013) and Quick Military Transition Guide:


Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job (Jist Inc., 2013).

I recently co-authored Stories Around the Table (Elva Resa Publishing, 2014) and I write the Homefront column for the Military Officers Association of America and the Spouse Series column for Military Transition News.

And I’m very proud to be a panel expert here at NMSN.

On a personal level, I grew up a Marine Corps brat near an Army post (Fort Campbell) and ultimately married a Soldier while stationed in Germany with my parents. Fast forward 30 years, we ironically find ourselves back in Germany, where we have lived for the past several years, this time with our two teenage daughters and Bella, an uber cute border collie/Bernese mountain dog mix.

I have a number of hobbies and I always wish I had more time to do all them. Travel has got to the number one thing I enjoy, though. Favorite cities that I’ve checked off my bucket list so far are: Venice, Berlin and Rome. I would move to any of those places in a second!

I also enjoy art. Living in Europe, you’re surrounded by it and it inspires me to create my own pieces in mixed media and in photography.

And of course, I love to write and that’s lucky for me as freelance writer.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?

As a consultant, I work virtually with clients to help and inspire them to achieve their job search and career goals. I have also worked extensively for organizations in either contracting or the federal government to affect positive change both at the local and global levels.

Past positions I have held include employment readiness program manager, spouse employment and careers program analyst, Army Career and Alumni Program contract installation manager and job search specialist.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Honestly, frustration led me to this profession over 22 years ago.

Like many spouses, I worked hard to get a good education. I also did my personal best in any job that I held. As a mobile military spouse, however, my best didn’t always seem to get me to a place professionally where I wanted to

Honestly, frustration led

me to this profession over

22 years ago.


be. PCS orders and all things Army life seemed to always stand in my way. I was not very happy that my professional and personal lives were always at odds with one another.

Deep down, I guess I felt that there must be a better way and I ultimately came to find that way for myself.

It took a lot of soul searching, but I realized that I needed to evolve my way of thinking. I needed to redefine what professional success meant to me and prioritize what mattered the most to me in my life and have the courage to act upon those findings.I started working this career field, via that frustration factor, because I felt that I had something worthwhile, professionally and personally, to contribute to it.

HOW MUCH DID THE TRANSIENT MILITARY LIFESTYLE PLAY INTO YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?

Well, you can see from the above that the transient life played into my decision big-time. It truly shaped every decision along the way.

WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D WISH YOU’D DONE DIFFERENTLY AS THE SPOUSE OF AN ACTIVELY SERVING MEMBER TO SET YOU UP FOR AN EASIER TRANSITION?

You have to love hindsight. It’s just so 20/20, right?

I think that our own transition would have been far more seamless had we been stationed in the location where we had post-uniform jobs already lined up.

As it was, we were stationed in Germany (again) and my husband was offered and accepted a job in Northern Virginia. We had a big across the world move to navigate in addition to the actual transition from the military.

It was a lot to deal with at one time, along with having a then three year old and six year old in tow. Had our boots been on the ground already, so to speak, that transition would have been easier.

IN ADDITION TO WRITING SEVERAL BOOKS, YOU ALSO CONTRIBUTE REGULARLY TO SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS – HOW DID YOU FIND PUBLICATIONS WHO WERE INTERESTED IN YOUR CONTENT? AND HOW DID YOU CULTIVATE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS?

I found most of the publications I have written for through careful and targeted research. Job search rules, after all, apply here as well. Editors from some publications, however, have contacted me directly to partner with them as a result of my past publications.

I’ve cultivated those relationships by being good at what I do, loving what I do and by working in concert with others. I write truthfully and research my content well. When I have a deadline, I meet it. On the rare occasion when things don’t go as


planned… because sometimes life has a perverse sense of humor…I own up to it, make amends and drive on.

ANY ADVICE FOR MILITARY SPOUSE WRITERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GENERATING AN INCOME WITH THEIR CRAFT?

• Be really good at what you do and be better at marketing it.

• Do it right. Don’t just hang out the shingle and say you’re in business. Conduct due diligence. Create a plan and follow it. Don’t be afraid to revise it along the way.

• Talk to others in your career field. Don’t necessarily see those others as competitors. Instead, share information and insights with one another. Network with them and help each other grow if possible.

• Always support a fellow military spouse. Karma is real.

• Love what you do. That’s different than just being good at what you do. Having a true passion for what you do makes a world of difference on so many levels.

YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN THE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN TRANSITION—CAN YOU GIVE US THE TOP 5 THINGS THAT WOULD EASE THE TRANSITION FOR A “TRAILING” MILITARY SPOUSE?

1. Think professionally proactive. For example, when you know a move is coming, start your job search before the first box is packed. If you work in a career field that requires state certification, investigate those requirements as soon as possible.

2. Network with other spouses and transitioning servicemembers. You know people all over the world. That can be a pretty powerful network if you harness it correctly.

3. Manage the paperwork. Keep track of your employment history and your contacts. Keep your resume updated. If you’re moving and may need access to original documents on the other side of the moving van, hand carry transcripts, certifications, etc. Having a dedicated binder with all your important career related documents is a smart idea. Or likewise, a file on your desktop with scanned copies of those important documents. Maintaining the paperwork also gives you the bonus of being able to periodically review your path so you can see where you’ve been and where you appear to be headed. It allows you adjust course if necessary.

4. Go to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) with your spouse. If your next move is out of the military altogether, take advantage of that recently revamped program. Learn about your potential benefits and entitlements. Use them while they exist but realize the quality of what you receive may vary


depending on the people in place.

5. Don’t be afraid to go your own way. Transitioning out of the military can be scary because there are just so many unknowns. If you are professionally minded and driven yourself, this is a great time to really pick and choose your next job. If it is one that supports you and your family or is just too good to pass up, let your spouse follow you for a change.

6. And I have to add a sixth one here….Communicate regularly with your spouse. Transition time, whether of the PCS or ETS/retirement variety, is such a stressful time. Usually, neither one of you know what is going to happen or when. You both want answers and the answers just aren’t there to consider. It’s important that you keep those lines of communication open throughout the angst. Agree to disagree if necessary, but communicate.

AS AN EXPERT IN BALANCING THE MILITARY LIFESTYLE WITH A CAREER, WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 PIECES OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD SHARE WITH MILITARY SPOUSES WHO ARE INTERESTING IN PURSUING A CAREER?

1. Do what works for you. It may not the expected norm and that’s okay.

2. Recognize and accept that your priorities will change over time. At some point you may have to really decide whether you live to work or work to live.

3. Take responsibility for your career trajectory. No one else cares more about it than you.

4. Don’t waste precious time competing with others or being envious of their accomplishments. Focus that energy inward and compete with yourself.

5. Don’t be a job snob. Sometimes working at all, means working in a job you may think below you on some level or one that doesn’t quite sync with your career vision. Get over it. In the long run, it is those jobs that often offer the greatest insight to you professionally if you’re open to it.

Always support a fellowmilitary spouse. Karma is real.


WHAT BOOKS ARE ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND RIGHT NOW? ANY MUST READS?

There are three at the moment…

• The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follet • We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas• Redeployment by Phil Klay

RECOMMENDED MUST READ

Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom and Strength in Military Life…written by more than 40 military family members. I’m proud to be included in that group of co-authors. A must read for all milspouses.

JUST FOR FUN —ANYTHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST THAT YOU HOPE TO CROSS OFF IN 2015?

• Visit Bratslava and Budapest.• Create a photo portfolio of old German train stations before they’re all remodeled.• Write at least six short stories and a new career guidebook.

Calling allMilitary Spouses!

Join us for #NMSNcareers Tweetchats at Noon EST!APR 2: Attending Events

MAY 7: Informational Interviews

JUN 4: Interviewing

JUL 16: Dress for Success

AUG 6: Follow Up

SEP 3: Salary Negotiation

OCT 1: Benefits

NOV 5: Career Thanksfulness

DEC 3: Holiday Parties

QUESTIONS ABOUT CAREER PLANNING, YOUR RESUME OR THE JOB SEARCH?

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Documents

NMSN Spring 2015