Can military spouses easily find jobs overseas?

I'm starting to think about a possible future where my partner might serve in the military. I'm wondering about job prospects for spouses when they're stationed overseas. Are there particular fields or companies that hire spouses more?

Being a military spouse does present unique challenges in maintaining a stable career, especially when overseas assignments are involved. However, it's not impossible and there are pathways to secure employment in some cases.

First, the U.S. government provides job placement assistance for spouses of military personnel through programs like Military Spouse Preference (MSP). This program gives priority employment placement for some Department of Defense vacancies. Also, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) connects military spouses to partner employers who are committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining them. It's important to note that these jobs are usually located on the military base itself.

In terms of specific fields that hire more often, this could range anywhere from teaching positions at Department of Defense schools, to retail opportunities on base, to administrative roles within military facilities. In addition, depending on the country where you are stationed, there may be opportunities for local employment, although this might involve navigations around work visas and language barriers.

One other option you might consider is remote work. The rise of digital technology has made remote work or telecommuting increasingly popular and feasible. Fields like IT, communications, customer service, project management, and many others offer remote positions that can be done anywhere with an internet connection.

Finally, some military spouses also choose to turn to entrepreneurship or freelance work, providing a service or product that's in demand in their host countries.

Job searching as a military spouse can be a unique challenge but there are opportunities out there and resources to help you find them. It's just about finding what best suits you and your lifestyle. Be proactive and take advantage of every resource available to you.