5 Ways to Find Military Spouse Employment Opportunities

by Hiration

How can military spouses find steady, flexible employment opportunities?

Military spouses face unique barriers—frequent relocations, licensing issues, and childcare gaps—but there are targeted strategies to overcome them. Leverage federal hiring authorities and preference programs, explore paid fellowships like Hiring Our Heroes, target portable career paths via MSEP and SECO, adapt your resume to address mobility, and proactively manage professional licensing. The right mix of awareness, positioning, and planning can turn mobility into a professional advantage.

Military spouses aren’t struggling because they lack skills - they’re struggling because the system isn’t built for them.

For years, the unemployment rate has sat stubbornly around 21%, almost six times the national average.

Between endless relocations, childcare gaps, and licensing hurdles, even the most qualified spouses face career gridlock.

It’s time to stop “coping” and start strategizing. Here are five ways to build a career that moves with you.

1. Stop "Applying Cold" - Use Your Federal Hiring Superpowers

Stop scrolling through random job boards and start using the special hiring authorities built specifically for you. The federal government wants to hire military spouses; you just have to know how to use the "secret handshake."

Master the "Non-Competitive" Authority

This is your biggest advantage. Executive Order 13832 allows federal agencies to hire an eligible military spouse without going through the traditional competitive public process.

This means if you are qualified, they can appoint you directly.

You are eligible if you're the spouse of an active-duty member, a service member with a 100% disability rating, or a service member killed on active duty, according to USAJOBS.

Don't just search for "marketing" or "admin." On the USAJOBS search page, scroll down to the "This job is open to" filters and select the "Military spouses" icon. This filters for jobs open under this special authority.

Know the DoD's "Military Spouse Preference" (MSP)

This program gives you preference for competitive service DoD jobs. It's powerful, but it's generally only good for one use per PCS, according to the DoD's Civilian Careers site.

When you're applying, you'll need a flawless federal resume and a cover letter that clearly states your eligibility under these programs.

2. Get a Paid "In" with a Fellowship Program

Why fight for an interview when you can get a paid 12-week "tryout" that has an 83% chance of turning into a job?

Stop looking for just a job and start looking for a fellowship.

The Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) fellowship program is a game-changer. It partners with companies to place military spouses in 12-week paid internships.

According to HOH, its Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP) has an 83% job offer rate from host companies after the fellowship ends.

Even better, 60% of those internships are remote, making them a perfect fit for the military lifestyle.

This isn't just "getting your foot in the door"; it's a direct, supported pathway to a career with an employer that is already invested in you.

3. Target "Portable" Careers, Not Just "Remote" Jobs

There's a huge difference between "remote" and "portable." A remote job might still require you to live in a specific state for tax reasons.

A truly portable career can move with you from Fort Drum to Fort Irwin, and even OCONUS.

The data shows this is what spouses want.

41% of military spouses say remote work is their ideal situation, according to Hiring Our Heroes. Yet only 8% say their recent job (with set hours and a physical location) was ideal.

  • Action 1: Use the MSEP Job Portal: The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a DoD program with over 700 partner employers (like Amazon, Deloitte, and Visa) who have committed to hiring and retaining military spouses. Their job portal, found on the MySECO website, has specific filters for "telework" and "remote jobs" from companies that get it.
  • Action 2: Get a Free FlexJobs Membership. FlexJobs is a premium job board for vetted remote and flexible jobs. Through the DoD's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, military spouses can get a free one-year membership, helping you find legitimate work-from-home jobs and avoid scams.

4. Rewrite Your Resume to Hack the "Job Hopper" Bias

You're not a "job hopper." You're a military spouse. But a civilian recruiter doesn't know the difference and might see your frequent moves as a red flag. You need to control the narrative.

  • Action 1: Remove Your Location. A talent blog from Oracle, a major military-friendly employer, gives this direct advice: "Stick to your work experience and leave location information off your resume." This forces the recruiter to focus on your skills, not your zip code.
  • Action 2: Use Your LinkedIn "About" Section as a "Context" Section. Don't leave your gaps and moves unexplained. Use the "About" section on your LinkedIn profile to address it head-on. Explain that as a military spouse, you've managed complex cross-country logistics (that's project management) and adapted to new teams and environments (that's leadership and flexibility).
  • Action 3: Focus on Transferable Skills. Your resume shouldn't just be a list of past jobs. It needs a dedicated section that highlights the skills you've built because of military life: budget management, crisis-handling, community leadership, and resilience.

5. Tackle the Licensing Nightmare Head-On

For nurses, teachers, lawyers, and so many other professionals, licensing is the single biggest career killer. Blue Star Families reports that spouses can lose thousands of dollars in income just waiting for a new state to approve their license.

Don't wait until you've already moved. Be proactive.

  • Action 1: Use the DoD State Licensure and Certification Resource. The DoD maintains a resource page that shows what each state offers for military spouse license transfers. Many states now offer licensure by endorsement, temporary licenses, or expedited processing. Know the rules before the moving truck arrives.
  • Action 2: Get Reimbursed for Your Fees. Don't pay for that new license out of pocket. The Army's Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program and the Air Force's version will reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensing and certification costs per PCS. That's your money. Use it.

Wrapping Up

Military spouses have always been adaptable - now it’s time to make that adaptability work for you.

From special hiring authorities to fellowships and licensing support, you have real tools to build a career that travels with you.

At Hiration, we help professionals like you translate experience into opportunity - crafting resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and interview prep that open doors no matter where life takes you.

Your journey doesn’t have to pause every time you move. It just needs the right strategy.

Military Spouse Employment — FAQ

What is the Military Spouse Non-Competitive Hiring Authority?

It allows federal agencies to hire eligible military spouses directly, bypassing traditional competition. You qualify if your spouse is active duty, 100% disabled, or deceased while on duty. Use USAJOBS filters marked “Military Spouse” to target these openings.

How can I use the Military Spouse Preference (MSP) program?

The MSP gives preference for certain DoD civilian jobs during PCS moves. It’s generally valid once per PCS cycle. Make sure your resume clearly lists your eligibility and supporting documentation before applying.

Are there programs that help spouses get paid work experience?

Yes. The Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot offers paid 12-week fellowships with partner employers, boasting an 83% post-fellowship job offer rate. Over half of placements are remote-friendly.

What’s the difference between remote and portable careers?

Remote jobs may still require residence in specific states for tax or compliance reasons. Portable careers—like digital marketing, project management, or consulting—allow you to work seamlessly across locations or OCONUS assignments.

Where can I find spouse-friendly employers?

Search the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) portal on MySECO, featuring 700+ vetted employers. You can also access a free FlexJobs membership through SECO for verified remote roles from companies like Deloitte and Amazon.

How should I handle frequent job changes on my resume?

Remove your address, focus on skills over chronology, and use LinkedIn’s “About” section to contextualize relocations as proof of adaptability, leadership, and organization. Highlight transferable strengths built through military life.

How can I deal with licensing challenges when moving states?

Use the DoD’s State Licensure and Certification Resource to check transfer rules. Many states offer expedited or temporary licensing. Programs like COOL reimburse up to $1,000 per PCS for relicensing costs.

Which organizations provide career resources for military spouses?

Start with Hiring Our Heroes, Blue Star Families, SECO, and MSEP. Each offers unique tools—from job matching and networking to career coaching and training stipends.

How can Hiration support military spouses in their job search?

Hiration helps spouses tailor resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for federal or civilian roles, positioning them confidently despite gaps or frequent relocations. Its AI-powered platform simplifies career storytelling, making mobility a strength rather than a setback.