Ask VMW: Is it easy to get a job overseas?

Here's a question I recently received:

I have been reading the blogs about Germany and I appreciate all of the insight! I am a newly married military wife, and we just found out our next assignment will be to Germany.  We are ecstatic to say the least but besides the bagillion questions, I have one really important one.....jobs for spouses, are there any? I am beginning to feel that knot in my stomach known as "anxiety" so any insight you might have would be greatly appreciated.


 Jobs....not as easy as in the US, but if you are persistent, you'll find something...eventually...the easiest to get are AAFES retail and commissary baggers/cashiers and such....office jobs are a bit harder.  Your first stop should be Army Community Service (ACS) at your new post, as they have the leads for all kinds of jobs in your area, to include contractor jobs and those obscure jobs that aren't really listed anywhere that you would find them.  Since you will fall under the SOFA agreement, which was made between the US and Germany after the war, there will only be certain jobs on post you are eligible for and no jobs off post if you are a US citizen (unless you get hired by a company from stateside).  I did have a friend who worked under the table in a German restaurant, working back in the kitchen.  She loved it, because she learned how to cook German dishes, except for the special sauces they made...they made those before the hired help came in!  Another friend who had a horse taught lessons to American kids at a local stable.  ACS will also help you with your resume and get you in the system to look for jobs...many people think there are just government jobs, but you'd be surprised what you'll see offered.  I know the government is trying to get rid of some of these contractor jobs, as many get paid beaucoup bucks when they could pay a government worker much less.  Good for the country, not so good for the worker....but, I still see a lot of them out there, and if you have a security clearance, you will move to the head of the line.  As a sidenote, I got a job once by volunteering.  I always volunteer anyway, but had I not volunteered, I would not even have been offered this job.  The amazing thing is that the agency went through the process of doing other interviews, but since they were so happy with my work and I was known entity, I got the job in the end....right or wrong, it pays off to volunteer and network I think.  Good luck in your search!

Never Thought I'd be Gambling

Wow...what a few weeks it's been! Going from part-time to a full-time manager position makes you feel like you've been thrown to the wolves. The learning curve was steep for me, but since I had a chance to clean out the email inbox (over 300 emails)....and many of the overstuffed drawers and loose papers around the office....and made a few of my lists, I feel I am in a better position to do my work. So what do I do?

I'm a Tour Manager. I set up at least twenty day trips per month with some overnighters over the long weekends thrown in for good measure. Almost all are bus and van trips, and we go all over Germany...mostly, as well as countries that can be reached in seven hours or less, which is just over a good half dozen. It's a dream job really. Yes, we have our bread and butter sightseeing tours, but we also do what I want to do. My mind is spilling over with ideas, and I'm pretty excited about sharing some of those destinations with our community and fellow travelers.

I actually bought one of those digital voice recorders to change the subjet...and not the one where you say what row and space your car is in...but one where you can put your voicenotes in folders and can find them again. In a job with lots of moving parts and lots of ideas flowing, I think it is a necessity! I had a few nights where I did wake up thinking, oh my God, did I forget to order a bus, book a city guide and what if my tour escort doesn't show up or did I put gas in the van....you know, the typical "I just started a new job and don't feel comfortable yet" feelings. I think this is the first weekend that was virtually low stress.

And why do I think I'm gambling? Because setting up tours is a strange bird. You set up a tour in hopes of people signing up. As it gets closer and you don't get the numbers you initially budgeted for or you get more, you start crunching the numbers. Then comes decision time? Do I cancel the tour? Do I upgrade to a larger size bus? Do I need to "buy" another city guide, because in this particular city, a city guide will only take 20 people? And other such questions...so yes, you are gambling, because twice now, I did not cancel a tour, because I had a good feeling, and both filled up at the last minute. So far I haven't lost money on a tour, but I bet it will happen, and there I will be explaining myself on the red carpet. But other than that, it's low stress....no really.

So, if you are in Europe, have been in Europe and have some great ideas to send this way, please do! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Also, if you just started a new job, please share what it has been like for you!

Do It Yourself Fundraising Ideas

If you've spent any amount of time in a Family Readiness Group, you know that money always seems to be short in doing what you want to do with your families. I actually was in an FRG once where EVERYONE got tickets to a great amusement park or got a large percentage of their formal ball tickets subsidized. I also remember...now I'm just talking fundraisers in general...our children's school would always send home this crap, whether it was chocolate or wrapping paper to sell. I would rather just write a check and be done with it! But here I am, heading up an FRG and have to be somewhat creative so we can make some money to spend.

Here are some ideas to get your creative braincells churning. I know I don't have any, so I have to dig in my memory for some of the things that have worked in the past and have included those as well. As with everything we do in an FRG, you gotta make sure you swing this stuff by your legal section. We had another unit on our post over here in Germany want to raffle off their commander's parking spot...what a great idea, right? It was great alright until legal slammed it down. You can't raffle off government property and this spot on the ground was deemed government property...so they weren't able to do it....but, they could raffle off...or should I say "give an opportunity" to slam a cream pie in the commander's face...doesn't seem fair, does it?

I found some interesting fundraising ideas on the site below.

Fundraising Ideas

Some things that we've done in the past include....

• Brat burns. That's what they call it over here in Germany. You grill bratwurts or hotdogs and sell them with a soda and chips. Now, as an FRG you can't solicit anything, so you stick out your coffee can and have a sign for a suggested donation amount.

• Bakesales. But these are going the way of the dodo bird...I have never found them worth it, but it you have a lot of sweet tooths in your unit, it may pan out.

• Anything on CafePress. This is a great inexpensive way to take advantage of personalized printed items. You can use your unit crest or insignia as long as your commander approves it. We've done baby onesies, shirts and even Christmas ornaments which we will "sell" at this year's holiday event. If you open up your own store on Cafepress...with your one logo or design (that is the way to keep it free), you can get discount and bulk pricing.

• Get an extended family member to donate something to raffle off...or should I say, you sell an opportunity for this item...in some states, raffles are illegal too without proper authorizations...make sure you know the rules. We had a generous mom donate a $100 Michael Garman statue. We also had some ladies make some table centerpieces, which will also get raffled off at our holiday event.

• Get involved in community events. We recently collected items for a community fleamarket. Our ladies were very generous with all kinds of things, and it only took a handful of us to actually run the sale tables.

What do you do to raise money for your FRG?


Some "outside of the box" fundraising ideas here!

Military Spouses FINALLY Get an Edge in Government Jobs

Apparently, a new Executive Order has been signed by the President that should make it easier for military spouses to access employment opportunities at the Federal level.

You can read more about it at Whitehouse.gov.

It includes:

• Expanded benefits
• Easier for spouses to get those federal positions

Read about some of the other good news for military spouses looking for a job or a career. The article was written earlier this year, but as you can see, many of the proposals are already on the books. Please see these other job resources for military spouses.

Veterans Benefit in Franchising

I know companies are always trying to dream up ideas on new and innovative ways to make money. Franchising is one way...but how do you get people to buy into the franchise and then get people to eat there too? How about a program that gives breaks of thousands of dollars to veterans who are willing to open up a franchise? And what if that franchise is a brand name that almost everyone in America recognizes?

That's exactly what Little Caesar's was thinking with their Little Caesar's Veterans Program. Obviously, it's only for veterans. I think it's been around for almost a year and a handful of veterans have take advantage of it so far. From what I've read, they all found it a great deal and something worthwhile to pursue, one because Little Caesar's is a company they trust and believe in...and two, it allows them to be their own boss, many opening a franchise in their hometown, giving them an opportunity to settle there with a headstart on how they are going to support themselves. We all know that just a military pension is just not enough these days. One happy new owner was also happy to provide an alternative to the other few fast food places in town...knowing that his was a crowd pleaser.

Do you know of any other companies that offer special benefits to veterans? I think it's a great idea, and a great incentive to go into business for yourself.

Pad Your Resume with VMIS

Are you somewhere right now...either in your life or where you are physically located...where you are not working in a paying job? Would you like to continue to have a record of your work history, even without that paying job? Be prepared at your next job interview with a record of what you have been up to, when you weren't working outside the home.

If you don't know it already, let me introduce you to VMIS - the Volunteer Management Information System. Record your volunteer hours and even take them with you when you move, along with your volunteer positions, awards, training and your entire volunteer history. No more will you have "dead space" on your resume, as the Army has made it easy to translate your work into DA FORM 4162, Volunteer Service Record.

When I wrote up my latest resume, I had 12 whole years of not working outside the home! My first thought was, who would even hire me at this point with such a huge gap in work history? I ended up using my previous volunteer experiences and what was on my Volunteer Service Record to beef up my resume. And it worked. I got a job that I love...and I'm even getting paid for it! What a novelty for me at least.

VMIS is an Army-wide system. I don't know if the other services have something similar at this point. If so, please post your programs below. The Army has only recently started VMIS online...I want to say in the last few years. For example, our post over here in Germany just started up this program and system last Spring, and our community has a Volunteer Manager who oversees the system and all the various volunteer opportunities on the site for our geographical area. All it takes is a search by zipcode on My Army Life Too, to find what's available in your area. Another great catch to the program, getting in as a volunteer can also eventually get you a paying job at that organization, if that is what you want. Another gem I've come across, VMIS links you into the Career Assessment Tool run by the Army Spouse Employment Partnership. This tool will give you greater clarity and direction in your career decisionmaking, as the site states. Give it a try as well. Access the site under My Army Life Too.

Last piece of information, the site is currently being merged with Military OneSource, already a great place to connect and get information for all military spouses. I bet they even have more things in store for us, when the system merge is complete, sometime in Summer 2009. I look forward to checking that out.

Why No One is Calling You to Set Up an Interview

I have been happily working at my new job for a few weeks now. One observation in my job...I deal with everything from the highly educated, to those who can't figure out where or even what is going on in their lives....yes, it can be sad. In light of that, someone recently sent me this, and I've found it both hilarious...and yes, inevitably sad.

Go to

Not Hired

I sometimes find it hard to believe that people will write such crappy resumes, cover letters, help seeking ads and the like, but then I remind myself, that most of the people I do hang out with have at least an average level of intelligence. Apparently, many people out there do not. Now, I am not advocating making fun of anyone. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed myself. Believe it or not, I suffered a fall from a horse in my teens and had to learn my 'rithmetic all over from scratch...yes, I did...the mind is a difficult thing to understand but look how quick it recovers I tell everyone? I jammed about 15 years of learning into two...anyhow, back to the story.

Here's an excerpt from today's posting:

"Can someone please kick the cr*p of me tonight. Just tell me time and place. I will be wearing a red parka".

That was posted on Craig's List and then pasted to Not Hired.

What experiences have you had...either coming or going on a job interview?

Overseas Spouses - FREE College for You

I've been amiss at posting the last few days. I have actually started working....yes, at a real job and a real desk...and after 12 years of not having a paid, regular job too. I'll be blogging sometime in the future about the experience and unfortunately, won't have much time to blog on the issues that I find important...gosh darn it. So please forgive me if there are gaping holes in my blog in the next few years! I wanted to tell you about a program, just for overseas spouses, that pays for your undergraduate education. I have a few ladies in my units that already took advantage. One only has six more class to go in her undergraduate degree. Here's how to take advantage of this great program.

Apparently, Army Emergency Relief (AER) has such a huge surplus of funds...imagine that...that they decided to pay for Army spouses overseas to go to school and earn their degrees. Now it's only for undergraduate studies, so no Master's Degree for me or you, but please do check it out! There's no saying how long the program will continue, so don't dilly-dally!

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP)

If any of my readers have experience with this program, please post below. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Why Bother to Volunteer?

I brought up this topic yesterday. I realized in the last 12 years, my waking hours were many times volunteer hours. I volunteer with everything from my husband's unit Family Readiness Group (FRG) to the kids' school to church, Scouts and the community. People always know to call me when something needs to get done....and all without earning a red cent! Does that bother me? Why do I do it? I'll attempt to explain my reasoning.

Growing up, I had visions of my mom in a Red Cross uniform, volunteering her time. She didn't have an official job that paid her money while she was an Army wife and mom. She thought it was more important to focus on us, the children and raising us the way she wanted us raised. I honestly believe that no daycare provider can substitute that. She did these volunteer things because they kept her busy when she wasn't dealing with us, plus it gave her the flexibility to do what and when she wanted. She enjoyed being around people and learning new things and volunteering made her feel good. I find I am volunteering for some of the exact same reasons.

I volunteer because:

• I can choose when and how much. If I decide to take a shopping trip to the outlet malls one day, I go ahead and do that. Volunteering does not have the same commitment level as a job. I can also say no if I absolutely don't want to do something.
• I can try new things without being pressured to perform. I've learned how to work a printing press, camped in beautiful locations, met powerful people and celebrities, worked other expensive equipment, driven antique vehicles, farmed, led meetings, given speeches, worn silly outfits, been on TV and radio and in the process, I've gotten lots and lots of free goodies..... all without the pressure of having to do it. I never would've done these things on my own!
• It's fun and keeps me busy, and I am helping getting things done. This is the most important reason I volunteer. I've met some of my best friends through volunteering! It feels good to be doing something and helping others. I think that's just human nature coming through. As an added bonus, when my husband deploys, I am so busy, I don't have time to wallow in my pity and think about him not being there.
• The awards, ceremonies, luncheons and dinners. This is also not why I volunteer, but just an added bonus, like the Tootsie roll in the middle of a Tootsie Pop. It also makes you feel special to be awarded, especially in front of a large group. Where else could you ever be deemed the guest of honor? I once had the Secretary of State and his wife come up to me, shake my hand and sincerely thank me for my service. You certainly won't get this kind of recognition in your job unless you are some kind of high-powered CEO! It's also nice to get free food...gosh I am so food oriented....and again, meet new people or connect with your friends who also volunteer.
• I can use it on my job resume. The Army makes it even easier now. If you sign up under their Volunteer Management Information System, you can find volunteer positions in your area, apply for them and then track your volunteer hours. These positions and volunteers hours can even be printed off later, on a Department of Army form, to use on your resume and in your job interviews, should you decide to apply for a money-making job. I used mine, and I think it's great the way it outlines your positions, duties and responsibilities, just like a job. I think it's great that the Army is starting to look at volunteer work as almost equal to paid work. Good for them....and for you. I'll be sure to discuss this in depth at a later date, so stay tuned.
  
• Trips and tours. I can't tell you the countless free local trips and outings I've been privy to as a volunteer. We have a volunteer in our unit going to a one week paid seminar next week in Orlando Florida, all at government expense. These types of things come up often and only for volunteers a lot of the time. Another added bonus, sometimes the training costs thousands of dollars (so, typically not something you would pay for on your own) and can be something you can later put on your resume.
• Your brain is forced to stay active. You know if you don't use your brain cells regularly, they die. It's as simple as that...don't dumb yourself down by staying at home and staring at the wall. I think that's why I have a few friends who are constantly taking online courses or local university classes....to stay sharp and smart, not just for their resume! I've learned so many new skill sets volunteering, and I honestly believe it's made me a better and more confident person...that's all good, isn't it?

I thought I'd ask here, do you volunteer? If so, why do you do it? I'm also curious. If you don't volunteer, would you like to share that as well? We are all in learning mode here and would love everyone's input:-))

Double the Trouble for Army Working Wives

This topic does come up quite a bit when I talk to other military wives. We lament to ourselves about the job situation and all the moving around. Today, I have a guest author, Kelly Kilpatrick, who has blogged on this issue. I may not agree with all her finer points, but I thought I would put the article out there, and let you make your comments. I'll add mine below as well. With that being said, I think it's an important topic, and I do know there are organizations and individual women, who are trying to make a difference and affect some kind of changes in how things are done.

It’s not enough that their husbands have to fight wars that they may not believe in for the sake of their country; it’s not enough that they have to constantly live with the fear of that final knock on the door that signals the worst; it’s not enough that their children grow up without their fathers for most of their lives; what adds to the misery is that they’re penalized for having careers of their own. Military wives are not your run-of-the-mill women – they have the fortitude and courage to take on a life with a man they know is in a dangerous and dicey occupation and the strength and determination to make their lives and that of their children as wonderful as can be without the presence of an adult male. But then, when they’re punished for having lives of their own, it’s unfairness in the worst possible way.

• Professionals like teachers, doctors and lawyers who move from state to state or country to country with their husbands are forced to adapt to the local laws that govern their respective professions. This means that they must sit for further exams to reinforce their qualifications even though it’s not totally necessary. New licenses are not only time-consuming and taxing, they’re also expensive because of the fees involved. If there’s even a smidgen of a chance that they may move back to the place they’re transferred from, they must pay through their noses to maintain multiple licenses in as many states.

• Since they work full time, they face a tough task in finding suitable child care options each time they’re forced to move.

• If they’re pursuing an education, they are forced to pay extremely high fees when they don’t move with their husbands or forced to forego credits if they do move. Not many institutions offer concessions to military wives who must move and uproot their lives to keep their families together.

• Businesswomen are some of the worst hit – they must close shop in one place and open up again at a completely new location, often having to conform to local laws and regulations and apply for permits as well.
  

• Having to move often means that military families don’t put down good money on a home of your own. While this naturally means that they don’t have the advantage of owning equity, there’s another downside – they don’t get to itemize deductions on their tax returns and so do not get back the money they spend on preparing for various licensure exams.
  

• Most organizations are hesitant to employ military wives since they know they’re liable to up and leave any time.
  

Unless these and other issues are resolved to some degree of satisfaction, there’s always going to some form of grumbling and antimony directed at the government from military families.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of the best online dating service. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com. Of course I'm going to add my two cents in here. We have moved about a dozen times in my husband's Army career. In that time, I have thrown myself into volunteer work at my husband's unit, in the form of the Family Readiness Group (FRG), in our community, both civilian and military, as well as my childrens' schools. I was happy with that throughout the years.

Now that our kids are somewhat self-sufficient at 9 and 11, I am venturing back out into the working world. I decided to start out part time, because I am still involved very heavily in volunteering and do enjoy that. I interviewed and got a job in a field I love, travel and customer service....you know how I like to help people:-)) I think I got the job in large part, because I have done so much with my volunteer service and not just because of my job resume before I had my babies.

Now, I have friends, who ALWAYS find a job, wherever they are stationed. They look forward to the challenges and different work environments wherever they go. They are for the most part....happy. Even here, overseas, it is fairly easy to find "just a job".

Now when we start talking careers, that's where it may get a bit sticky. Yes, I have friends who are nurses, teachers and one is a physician's assistant, another a lawyer. Every time they move, they have to shell out more cash to get their licenses and requirements taken care of in their new location. They have all spent thousands of dollars out of pocket, getting geared up to work. Not to mention finding a job, which in some military locations, can be limited, especially overseas and in small towns.

My neighbor, who is a nurse, and a very good one at that, is unable to find a job here overseas. Her only option was working on post at our health clinic, being a school nurse or doing mundane physicals for some of the civilian American companies working on post. To keep up some of her licensing requirements and training, she has opted to volunteer for the Red Cross and ended up doing the same work as some of the paid nurses at the clinic, side-by-side. How's that for your ego?

I do know there are military spouses out there trying to affect a change. Read Laura Dempsey's article The Military vs. Marriage. Laura is a lawyer and details her career frustrations as well as some of the points already brought up above.

Please weigh in and share your experiences. What do you think can be done to help military wives in their careers? Do you think these issues are affecting soldiers and their willingness to stay in the military? Let's hear it!