Military Spouse Life: How to Balance Career and Moves
Military spouses are among the most adaptable and capable professionals out there. But trying to maintain a steady career while navigating frequent moves, deployments, childcare gaps, and changes in licensing requirements is no small task.
Whether you’re just starting out or adjusting after years of moves, there are practical ways to build momentum and find work that fits your life and goals.
Choose a Portable Career
Not every job fits a military lifestyle, but more career paths are becoming portable. If you’re still exploring options or considering a change, look for industries that offer location flexibility, remote work opportunities, or predictable transfer options.
Some strong fields to consider:
Education and special education
Healthcare and allied health fields
Tech (software, support, design)
Government or federal contracting
Virtual administration or client services
Freelance writing, marketing, or consulting
Real estate (including licensed roles or transaction coordination)
Keep in mind that some careers require licensing or certification that varies from state to state. If you’re entering one of those fields, start researching your next duty station early. Some states offer military spouse license transfer support, but others require new applications and fees. Planning ahead can reduce delays when you arrive.
Leverage Spouse-Focused Resources
There are many career development programs designed specifically for military spouses. These are real tools for making progress, finding support, and opening doors.
A few standouts:
MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account): Offers financial aid for training and certification programs for eligible spouses
Hiring Our Heroes: Hosts hiring fairs, mentorship programs, and fellowship opportunities
Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): Connects spouses with vetted employers who understand military life
Don’t overlook these programs. Even one resume review or job lead can make a big difference.
Network With Intention
Career networking looks different when you're moving every few years. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just means being more intentional about how and where you show up.
Join groups that align with your field and your lifestyle:
Local spouse clubs or base-specific spouse associations
LinkedIn communities for military-connected professionals
Career-specific Facebook groups (search by role or industry)
And don’t forget to ask your Realtor. At Dorazio Real Estate, we often help incoming families connect not just to housing, but to people. We’re part of the MIL-Estate network, and most of our agents are military veterans themselves. If you're moving into or out of Chicagoland, we’re happy to refer you to another MIL-Estate agent who can help get you connected on the ground, including with career contacts.
Build a Mobile Brand
Your resume may change frequently, but your professional presence should stay consistent. Create a digital footprint that moves with you.
At minimum, build:
A clean, updated LinkedIn profile
A basic personal website or digital portfolio
A resume and cover letter template you can quickly adapt
This gives employers and clients a snapshot of your skills and experience, regardless of your location. It also reinforces your professionalism and commitment, which helps counter assumptions about being “temporary” or “in transition.”
Your brand includes your job title, but it’s also your approach, your results, and your voice.
Advocate for Yourself
There’s nothing wrong with employment gaps, frequent moves, or career shifts. You don’t need to apologize for them. What you should do is explain them clearly and confidently.
Hiring managers today are increasingly aware of military life, and many are more flexible than ever. What matters most is your ability to solve problems, adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and show results. Those are qualities that military spouses develop naturally.
You don’t need to overshare, but you can absolutely say something like: “I relocated every few years due to military orders. In that time, I built experience in [industry], developed skills in [area], and adapted quickly to each new role and team.”
Confidence and clarity go a long way.
We See You—and We’re in It With You
At Dorazio Real Estate, we work with military families every day. We see the hustle, the creativity, and the long hours behind the scenes. We’ve walked the same road, and we know what it means to build something that can move with you.
As the only MIL-Estate affiliated brokerage in the Chicagoland area, we also connect with military spouses all over the country. If you're moving here, we’ll help you get rooted. If you're moving away, we’ll make sure you’re connected to someone who understands your life and your goals.
No matter where you're headed next, you don’t have to choose between being a professional and being a military spouse. You can be both and we can help you on that journey!
