PCS moves are a fact of life for military families, and, unfortunately, they can mean military spouses change jobs often or experience unemployment. Don’t wait to get ahead of the trend. Jump-start your job search right away.

• Leaving a job? You might qualify for unemployment compensation because you’re a military spouse. Visit our Making it In the MilLife blog for the updated list of states that offer this benefit.
• Gather personal and professional references, including endorsements on LinkedIn. References are your strongest professional advocates. Maintain healthy relationships with them and keep them apprised of your journey. With the many career shifts military spouses encounter, a reference from a job three moves ago could be the key reference for your next job. Reach out to your references today.
• Do your homework. Research your new location with Military OneSource and installation and community resources, such as employment readiness offices and the local Chamber of Commerce. Become a fan of local Facebook pages, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and Hiring our Heroes to get more job leads.
• If you’ll need child care, contact your installation’s child development center as early as possible. Research any additional child care centers in the area. Military OneSource, Sitter City, and Care.com can be helpful in this process.

Set yourself up for success. Put your job search on your PCS checklist today!