The last few weeks I have been on the job hunt. My girls are getting bigger, and I am feeling ready to rejoin the workforce. As if finding a job in a rocky economy wasn’t difficult enough, it’s no secret that being a military spouse brings a unique set of challenges to finding employment
Upon filling out yet another application, I got tripped up for a particularly challenging question:
List all your addresses in the last seven years.
Face, meet palm.
In the last seven years I have had seven addresses. Seven.
First, let’s address (no pun intended) the fact that it is virtually impossible to remember all those addresses. In order to fill out this application, I had to utilize Google to find the details of all the places I have lived. Further, there was not enough room on the application to list all seven places. And while nothing takes more commitment, dedication, and loyalty than serving in the military (or spending your life with someone who does), nothing makes you look flakier than having that many addresses in as many years.
This is not just an issue when searching for a job. This is also a common question on credit and rental applications.
And Even though we can explain our frequent moving, sometimes bringing up the military opens a whole other can of worms. Some employers do not like to invest in military related employees and some landlords do not like to rent to military due to our transient lifestyle.
While it is illegal for employers, lenders, and landlords to discriminate, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I am pretty positive that I have lost out on at least one job that I was highly qualified for because my relation to the military was brought up in my interview. In fact, since that experience I have made it a point to avoid discussing my military relationship with employers before I am hired.
How many moves have you done? Has the number of addresses been an issue for you when applying for credit or employment — and how do you keep track of them all?
About Erin
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Oh yes, the "previous addresses" section in any bit of paperwork always requires a deep breath prior to cudgeling our brains for the zipcode of three moves ago. We've only had three addresses in the five years we've been married, but Sampson's had eight addresses in the past seven years.
Oh boy can I relate. A few years ago I compiled a list of all our addresses. But ask me where that list is now — I don't know! I've finally started my own biz so I can just take it with me on my next move and not have to rely on someone else to realize I'm great for a job, but that address list still will need updating. Erin, I wish you the best in your job hunt and hope you find something fulfilling and financially rewarding!
I can so relate! I've been looking for a job the past year and know for a fact that my list of addresses have scared off alot of employers. I've had 8 zip codes in the past 10yrs.
I keep a list of past addresses in my iPhone/iMac contacts program. For the name I use "(2010-2012) name of installation." The parentheses help keep the addresses together and they sort to the bottom of my contacts listing.
I have not had a lot of addresses yet because we are currently on our first PCS but I can say emoyment has been hard. When employers find out about the whole military spouse they tent to look past you because of this reason. When really they should look unto us because we are a strong pack of people and can handle anything handed to us. Employers are just hesitant because we dont have a clue when the next PCS will come about and they do not want to out time in with us since we are not guarranteed to be at the position forever.
In my eyes it is just not fair and like you said I keep it a secret until I am hired.
Just be glad you don't have to do a TS application. Barf.
I keep a list of addresses in a folder for each of my kids. I also include the name and address of the schools they attend. In the address book I've had forever, I also keep past addresses. They're about the only ones a military family can write down in ink.
First, I keep a notebook. In said notebook, I have written down every single address we've had since 1992. Along with the phone numbers at each house AND names of immediate neighbors (this comes up with future security clearance checks down the road). I keep the notebook in the same place in the same filing cabinet drawer. Second, when I fill out an application, I list only the addresses the application has room for. For instance, even if the application says "list your addresses for the last seven years" but only gives me space to list three addresses, then I list only three addresses. If I actually make it to the interview based on my application, and anyone asks, I simply explain my address history (if I even have to … based on the places that I've lived, it is sometimes easy to guess that I'm a military spouse). Third, if I do make it to the interview process, it doesn't take anyone long before they figure out that I'm a military spouse. Just look at my resume … it's a no-brainer. The question I get at every job interview is "how long do you expect to stay in the area". It is NOT illegal for a prospective employer to ask if your spouse is in the military, or how long you'll be in the area. It IS illegal for a prospective employer to use that information to discriminate against you when it comes to hiring you. However, it is fairly impossible to prove that type of discrimination. I've been lucky. My resume is long and I have lots of experience. Enough that should an employer decide to take a chance on me, they hire me because of my experience. In fact, I've had some prospective employers tell me that they prefer military spouses. We are well traveled, more experienced in dealing with many different types of personalities (and in some cases more experienced in dealing with many different types of cultures), and we are able to adapt and adjust quickly to different situations, ALL things that many employers find imperative skills for an employee to have. So my solution has always been to play up the strengths that I have gained simply by being a military spouse. I'm resilient, adaptable, experienced, able to juggle multiple balls (tasks) at once, understand the need for "Plan B" (or even Plan C or Plan D) and able to switch gears quickly. I know that things don't always go as planned and I am ready and willing to rise to the challenge!
We’ve been moving for 28 years now, more addresses than I care to remember. I have written every move including addresses and dates and every important life event in the flaps of my Bible. When our son joined the Army he needed most of those dates and places. I always know where my important information is.
My grandmother is the one who complained to me as I was once again calling to update our address. Being born into the Army and marrying into the Navy…I've had 4 lifetimes of addresses. We got moved 2 times in one year, b-cuz the housing we were in was closed. I've moved almost as many times as years I've been alive. I use the Z section in my address book. And everything is in pencil. Good luck to those of you just starting out. We retired and I've been in the same place 7 yrs in June. I'm still waiting for someone to call and tell me I'm moving again.
I've moved every year for the past 6 years, and finding a job has been impossible! And 3 years ago my husband had put in a Green to Gold packet and he was enrolled in school and everything, I had been hired for an amazing job…and after working there 2 months, I got the phone call from hubby that we were moving to Fort Sill and that "needs of the Army" excuse was being used to pull his packet and keep him in his unit. Since then I've moved twice and we're PCSing in less than 2 weeks. While I love my husband and am proud of his career, this lifestyle makes it extremely difficult to find a job ANYWHERE.
I have been trying to start my own business for a month now and have already come in contact with businesses that are hesitant to work with me since I am a Marine wife. I met with a business owner who loved every service I was offering and wanted to buy them all. The next week I had a meeting with her co-business owner to get him on board as well. He walked in the room with an attitude and was very intimidating. I'm pretty sure he already had his mind made up he wasn't interested in my services before the meeting even started. He was very intimidating and was pretty much accusing me of moving away and "abandoning" him. I tried to explain that the internet allows me to continue to work for him no matter where my husband was stationed. He continued to interrupt me with outdated information and questions about my mil spouse status and none about my product/services. The meeting lasted literally five minutes and it was ended with a "we'll call you". I knew I would never get a call from him but I don't want to work for him anymore anyway. His loss.
I have been a military wife for over 20 years. I have had many address and hate to remember them all. It's when I apply for a job that a whole list on my background come up and they are seriously currious as to why all the moves. I guess everytime I apply from now on, I will also put on my cover letter that I am a military wife so that will clear up the confusion.
I definetly can relate as a military wife for 21 years. We just moved again for I think is the 9th time and unemployed yet "again". It is frustrating and difficult to have to always start over in the employment world. I am currently struggling with the idea of not having an actual career, never staying long enough in one place to actually develop a career with any company. What to do?
i completely understand what everyone is feeling. My husband is in the Navy and our life couldn't be any more hectic at times. With his random schedule as a pilot and my trying my best to work multiple jobs to contribute to our families finances we were rarely seeing one another. Moving can be fun, but I find myself taking dead end jobs because its the only thing I can find. By the grace of god, i was recently introduced to Nerium International, a breakthrough anti-aging company. As an Independent Brand Partner, I an building my own business and able to take it with me anywhere around the world. Not only do I work from home and can take my business with me, moving every few years is actually quite beneficial as i am constantly meeting new people.. I highly encourage anyone looking to really build a stable career as a military spouse to please take a look at this company and please contact me. It was even supported by Pinnacle 5 as being a great company for Veterans. Military leaders from each branch publicly supported Nerium International when it was featured as a breakthrough company in Success from Home Magazine in February this year.
rachel.berry17@gmail.com http://www.agelesslife.nerium.com
I have been married for a little over 8 years and just moved for the 6th time to Virginia. I am currently trying to find a job and having a horrible time. I have two college degrees and I can't even get an interview! I know the constant job changes on my resume deters companies but I am getting desperate. Anyone have any advice?
I have a law degree, but it does not make sense for me to take the bar in California, as we are scheduled to PCS in less than a year after bar results would come out. The San Diego legal market is very tight, so it would be next to impossible for me to find a job in that period of time. California has no reciprocity for its bar results. I'm a member of the MSJD network, and they are striving to do amazing things for military spouses, but change takes time. In the mean time I have been turned away at every interview because I'm either "not serious" because I did not pursue my legal career after graduation, or I end up having to explain why I'm not taking the bar, and companies do not want to invest in someone who is moving in less than a year and a half. I have a bachelors degree, law degree, and loads of students loans, and all I have been able to find is a part time job a Pier 1. It's very demoralizing. I can't just go back to school; we won't be here long enough. My husband doesn't have his orders yet, so we don't know where we will be going next either. I'm embarrassed to have to take a part time minimum wage job with all the education I worked so hard to obtain in order to have a career and help contribute to my family. Thank goodness my husband is supportive of me just having any sort of job, but it's really hard for me accept the situation.