Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 5% of jobs could be done remotely. Since 2020, work-from-home (WFH) and remote work options have increased in availability and acceptability, with an expected growth of 65% over the next five years. Remote work means working from anywhere other than an office. WFH can include working remotely, but also applies to positions that allow working from home for a couple of days to provide flexibility for the employee.
According to a FlexJobs survey conducted with Blue Star Families, 32% of military spouses have left a job at least three times because of a military-related move. WFH allows for job continuity, giving spouses the flexibility to keep their jobs even during relocation and eliminating job gaps due to a PCS. A flexible office schedule also provides the option to keep children at home without compromising on employment, as childcare issues prevent more than 30% of military spouses from finding a job.
Of the fastest growing WFH industries, the technology sector provides ample career opportunities and professional longevity, with the capacity to be done from a home office. A CNBC report of the Top 10 Fully Remote Companies names eight different technology companies, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunities in the technology industry are expected to grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030. Opportunities in the technology sector with remote flexibility include coding, programming, data entry and analysis, transcription, and web and app development.
Career paths like sales and customer service are also options that allow flexibility and the opportunity for military spouses to maintain portable careers. Candidates in these sectors are in demand due to an ongoing need to maintain and build customer relationships. Additionally, these fields have extensive overlap with a variety of sectors, including finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, logistics, hospitality, and eCommerce. Furthermore, as WFH options continue to expand, this specific industry will have to respond to the changes, allowing spouses the opportunity to be a part of a growing field.
When searching for positions, FlexJobs is a reputable site for finding remote, WFH, or flexible opportunities. The Military Spouse Employment Partnership is another resource for spouses and helps connect them with employers willing “to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses.” G.I. Jobs Virtual Job Fairs are free for military spouses, service members and veterans, and are held monthly. For internship opportunities, SkillBridge is now open to military spouses and has both hybrid and online options. This is a great alternative for those seeking additional training before applying for a full-time position.
As an additional resource, national nonprofit ACP has an Active-Duty Spouse Mentorship Program that pairs spouses in year-long, one-on-one customized mentorships with mentors from highly regarded Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Verizon, and Wells Fargo, three of the Top Companies with Remote Jobs for Military Spouses identified by FlexJobs. These mentors can advise on all aspects of professional development regardless of if a military spouse is seeking to re-enter the workforce or build upon their current expertise
Interested military spouses can apply through this link: acp-usa.org/spouseapp.