Making it in the MilLife

**Updated 05/15/2012.  Three additional states (in bold) provide military spouses eligibility for unemployment compensation. Seven states to go!  Stay with us as we track this important issue.

PCS season will soon be here.

According to the DoD ,”-working [military] spouses lose approximately 6-9 months of salary per relocation.”

Generally, unemployment benefits are not available when an employee leaves a job voluntarily. However, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “recognizing that spouses of military service personnel who quit their jobs due to a military transfer may not be quitting so “voluntarily,” state legislators have amended unemployment compensation laws to help military families who are relocating between states.”

Forty States and the District of Columbia provide military spouses eligibility for unemployment compensation.  

Will you leave a job to accompany your spouse as part of a PCS move?  See where your state stands on this important issue.

• Alabama   NO   
• Alaska   YES                     
• Arizona   YES                
• Arkansas   YES         
• California   YES           
• Colorado   YES
• Connecticut   YES       
• DC   YES                              
• Delaware   YES
• Florida   YES
• Georgia   YES
• Hawaii   YES                     
• Idaho   NO                      
• Illinois   YES                
• Indiana   YES                    
• Iowa   YES                     
• Kansas   YES                    
• Kentucky   YES
• Louisiana   NO
• Maine   YES                     
• Maryland   YES
• Massachusetts   YES
• Michigan   YES
• Minnesota   YES
• Mississippi   YES
• Missouri   YES
• Montana   YES
• Nebraska   YES
• Nevada   YES
• New Hampshire   YES
• New Jersey   YES
• New Mexico   YES
• New York   YES
• North Carolina   YES
• North Dakota   NO
• Ohio   NO
• Oklahoma   YES
• Oregon   YES
• Pennsylvania   YES          
• Rhode Island   YES
• South Carolina   YES
• South Dakota   YES
• Tennessee   YES (signed 04/11/2012)
• Texas   YES
• Utah   YES (03/13/2012)
• Vermont   NO
• Virginia   NO
• Washington   YES
• West Virginia   YES (04/02/2012; effective 06/07/2012)
• Wisconsin   YES

Click here detailed information on individual state statues and provisions.

For additional information contact your state department of labor.

More than 500 military spouses descended onto the San Diego Convention Center yesterday to learn, be inspired and get connected at the 2012 MOAA and Blue Star Families Military Spouse Symposium & Career Fair.

“This event was very informative and covered many topics that are hard to get answers to,” said one Navy spouse.

“It was beneficial to hear the many perspectives from the employer panel,” added a Marine Corps spouse.

The employer panel, “Five Things Employers Want You to Know,” featuring military spouse and CEO of the United Way of the Midlands, Karen Bricklemyer, was an inside look at how employers see military spouse job seekers. And it’s not what you think.

Employers want to know why there is a gap in employment, the panelists agreed, but it’s not the time out of the workforce that concerns them, it’s the why. And military service isn’t red flag.

“Be a super star,” said Bricklemyer. “Highlight your results, not just activities.”

“Be a dragnet for local connections as you move around,” said Pamela Green, vice president with the Society for Human Resource Management, who grew up in a military family. “Companies are growing globally and your travels are an asset.”

Facebook, diversity director, Sara Sperling stressed the use of social media. “Build connections on line. Employers are using social media to find or research employees,” she said.

“Even though they aren’t supposed to,” added Green, which drew a laugh from the crowd.

Spouses peppered the panelists with questions on everything from work-life balance to underemployment. Hearing their stories, Lorraine Field, human capital lead for TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the event’s signature sponsor, was wowed.

“That room was full of talent,” she said.

Following the symposium, spouses attended a career fair with more than 50 employers and took advantage of the opportunity to talk with local experts on employment, legislation and healthcare for military families in a special area called, “Capitol Hill Q&A.” MOAA also delivered its popular seminar, “The Dollars and ‘Sense’ of Working Outside the Home.”

Missed the event? Check out our favorite Do’s and Don’ts for military spouse job seekers that we picked up from the day:

• Do clean up your Facebook page. 89 percent of employers use social media.
• Don’t come in defeated to an interview. Build a relationship with the employer.
• Do lots of informational interviews. People hire people they know.
• Do demonstrate outcomes. Employers want to see results, not just activity.
• Don’t worry about paid experience. Highlight your great work – paid or not.

Sign up for the MOAA Spouse E-Newsletter to learn more and get the scoop on the next spouse symposium.

Thanks San Diego spouses for being such great hosts! Stay tuned for pics from the event!