Why military spouses make great employees

As a military spouse, your skills and experiences make you highly valuable to potential employers. Here’s why.

Military spouses have a unique set of experiences that make them great employees. They are resilient, adaptable, and have developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. But military spouses often face obstacles when it comes to finding employment due to frequent moves, long deployments, and a lack of understanding about the military lifestyle amongst civilian employers. However, employers who recognise the value of hiring military spouses can benefit from their skills and experience.

If you’re a military spouse looking to make your next career move, the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program can help. Our expert career coaches will look at your paid and unpaid work experience to identify your strengths and skills for your CV. Plus, we can connect you with local employers who understand and value veterans and their partners. Read more about how we help military spouses find great jobs here.

Here's why military spouses make great employees

Resilience

Military spouses are resilient by necessity. They have to be able to handle the stress and uncertainty that comes with frequent moves and deployments. This resilience translates into the workplace, where they’re able to handle pressure and bounce back from setbacks. Military spouses are also used to dealing with unexpected situations and finding creative solutions to problems, making them valuable assets to any team.

Adaptability

Military spouses are also highly adaptable. They’re able to adjust to new environments and cultures quickly, often with little notice. This adaptability means they can quickly learn new skills and integrate into new teams. They are also able to work well under pressure and can quickly pivot when circumstances change. This makes them ideal employees in fast-paced or dynamic work environments.

Communication Skills

Military spouses are used to communicating with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They have experience navigating language barriers and cultural differences, making them effective communicators in a variety of situations. They are also skilled at conveying complex ideas in a clear and concise manner, which is essential in many industries.

Problem-Solving Skills

Military spouses are experienced problem solvers. They are often responsible for managing the household and family during their spouse’s deployment, which requires excellent organisational and problem-solving skills. These skills are transferable to the workplace, where military spouses can analyse complex problems, develop effective solutions, and implement them in a timely manner.

Networking Skills

Military spouses are experts at networking. They often have to build new social and professional networks with each move, which means they’re comfortable reaching out to new people and making connections. This networking ability is a valuable asset in many industries, where it is essential to build relationships with clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

Multitasking Skills

Military spouses are adept at multitasking. They juggle multiple responsibilities, such as managing the household, caring for children, and maintaining a career. In the workplace, they use this experience to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, without sacrificing quality or attention to detail.

Cultural Competence

Military spouses have a unique perspective on cultural competence. They have experience living in different parts of the country and the world, and have interacted with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This experience gives them a deep understanding of cultural differences and an ability to navigate them effectively. In an increasingly globalised economy, this cultural competence is a valuable asset.

Flexibility

Military spouses are used to dealing with uncertainty and change. They are often called upon to adapt to new situations quickly and with little notice. This flexibility makes them ideal employees in industries that are subject to rapid change or disruption, such as technology or healthcare.

Hire a military spouse

Military spouses are an often-overlooked talent pool. They bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the workplace, including resilience, adaptability, communication skills, problem-solving skills, networking skills, multitasking skills, cultural competence, and flexibility.

Employers who recognise the value of hiring military spouses can benefit from their skills and experience, while providing a valuable opportunity for military families. By hiring military spouses, employers are not only supporting military families but also bringing a diverse and skilled workforce to their organisation. Read more about why hiring a military spouse is a great business move in this article from Forbes.

If your organisation would like to tap into this exceptional talent pool and hire a military spouse, partner with the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program today.

Resume writing tips for military spouses

As a military spouse facing unique career challenges, it's important your resume effectively showcases your skills and experience. Here are some tips to help military spouses create a resume that highlights their strengths and catches the attention of potential employers.

Highlight transferable skills: Military spouses should focus on highlighting transferable skills that they have acquired through their paid and unpaid experiences, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Emphasise volunteer work: Frequent relocation can make it hard to maintain employment, but ‘starting over’ in new communities means you might have engaged in community or volunteer work in order to make new connections. Highlighting this work and community involvement can show potential employers that you’ve been actively engaged during gaps in employment.

Use clear language: Avoid using military jargon that may not be understood by those outside of the ADF community. Use clear and concise language that accurately reflects your skills and experience.

Focus on accomplishments: Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, military spouses should focus on highlighting their accomplishments and contributions in previous roles.

Tailor the resume: Customise your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the specific job, and use language from the job posting to demonstrate how you meet the requirements.

By following these tips, military spouses can create a resume that effectively showcases their skills and experience, and increases their chances of finding meaningful employment.

Reach out the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program

Need a hand identifying the skills you’ve gained in paid and unpaid work as a military spouse? The RSL Veterans’ Employment Program can help. It’s free for ADF and veteran partners and immediate family members.