Editor's Note: Today we are kicking off an exciting new partnership with FlexJobs.com. Four times a year Jessica, a FlexJobs blogger, will offer advice, tips and strategies for anyone interested in jumpstarting or advancing their telecommuting career. Even better, for anyone interested in finding a telecommuting job today, FlexJobs.com is offering a 30% discount on membership to their site. Just go to flexjobs.com, sign up to become a member and enter in the promo code MILITARY.
Oh, how I love you flexibility … let me count the ways!
So much of a military family’s daily life depends on military spouses, to bend to new deadlines, ever-changing rules and unexpected problems. The ability to be flexible is not just a talent; it is sacred to every military spouse. And, it is necessary to survive this lifestyle.
While not every aspect of life can conform to the freestyle needs of a nomadic military life, today’s job market offers an entire spectrum of flexible opportunities made possible through advancements in technology and corporate thinking.
Job seekers may find more adaptable types of work including: part-time, freelance, flexible scheduling and telecommuting. Any of these options can give military spouses the ability to take control of their schedule, work from home, or even on the road, and work for the shorter time periods and on project work.
In the end, this means more job opportunities for spouses who were once tied to a rigid, 9 to 5 work schedule and a career that is more manageable and maybe, even more fun.
Much like typical employment, flexible jobs offer a long list of benefits. Some of these include:
Healthcare Benefits: Depending on the position and the employer, healthcare benefits may be offered. This is a great benefit even though the active duty member carries health and dental insurance. With tighter government budgets and the recent restructuring of military family benefits an additional insurance carrier can help absorb those out of pocket healthcare costs that military families incur, especially if they must be seen off-base.
Retirement: We all have to face this at some point and being prepared requires a lot of work and is a long journey! Ask potential employers about their retirement benefits. Many offer 401K programs and may even match a percentage of the money that employees deposit each month. Military members can make deposits into the Thrift Savings Plan to build their retirement fund but every bit helps. And, your employer’s fund manager may offer better rates of return.
Well Being: Each of us finds our purpose in different activities and many people take great pride in their work. When you work outside the home and interact with the community there is enormous potential for professional and personal growth. Having a job you enjoy is also a great morale builder.
Balance: Being able to support your active spouse, care for children, volunteer, maintain a home and relationships with family and friends, as well as sustain employment is difficult. Add in deployment, long hours, mission requirements, trainings, and you can feel defeat knocking at your door. Flexible employment options can make this juggling act easier to maintain.
Moving: Yes, we move … a lot. . Flexible employment, specifically telecommuting, can make life easier when the time comes to PCS. Maintaining your job in various locations means less stress when the move is over. Rather than beginning a job search when you arrive at your new home, you simply, return to work.
Of course, these are only a few of the benefits that are available to military spouses looking for flexible employment. If you haven’t researched various employment options such as part time and telecommuting, this is a great time in the business world to do so.
Across the industries and through the ranks, flexibility is present and waiting to be captured …by you!
Jessica Howington is a prior stay at home mom with a background in education and healthcare. As a researcher and Team Lead for the writing team for the award-winning site FlexJobs , she strives to support those in search of flexible employment opportunities through finding and verifying legitimate flexible positions. She provides job search information, tips, and insight into the employment world related all job seekers through theFlexJobs Blog.
