Departure:

• Civilian spouses often become unemployed due to a PCS
• Go to the family center for assistance in updating your resume, applying for a job at your new location via the Internet, requirements for transfer of professional credentials or licenses, etc
• Review the Military Installations website for nearby military installations and employment opportunities. 
• Register and search for jobs vacancies through the state employment office for your new location
• Determine if a transfer within the company is possible
• Give at least 2 weeks notice to your employer
• Ask for a written reference
• Ask if you may list that company/individual as a reference on an employment application or resume
• Request a copy of all training records, awards, special achievements, etc
• Hand-carry a copy of all employment records, showing such data as: hiring/promotion dates, evaluations, position descriptions, pay records
• Hand-carry diploma (high school/college) and college transcripts
• Hand-carry documentation of any specialized training or license you have obtained
• Give a forwarding address for final paycheck and tax withholding statement
• Find out if you will qualify for unemployment benefits until you locate a new job
• Revise your family budget in anticipation of lost or lowered income; your family center has financial counselors on staff
• Keep a record of all job-hunting expenses; you may be able to claim them on your taxes.  Review Publication 529 at the IRS website
• Remember to pack interview clothes in your carry-on luggage

Arrival:
Every military installation has family member employment assistance at the family center

• Assistance is available for all areas of employment search – determining your career interests and goals, preparing a resume, interview skills, local jobs, local license and certification requirements…
• Location of personnel offices and information on the local job market
  • For Fairchild AFB, Air Force civil service employment is handled by the Air Force Personnel Center via USAJobs.com - if coming in on Priority Placement, on Leave Without Pay, or with Military Spouse Preference, report on-base too
  • Most Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) jobs are handled on-base
  • Other on-base employment opportunities include AAFES (BX, Shoppette, food court, Burger King, theater), DeCA (Commissary), Global Credit Union, Armed Forces Bank, several contractors
  • Some employers prefer to hire through an agency; checking with a temporary agency may be a good option
• Information is available on the requirements to transfer professional certifications
• Find out if you will qualify for unemployment benefits until you locate a new job
• Your family may qualify for the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program, or other public assistance programs
• Determine if your new location has a training program you are interested in
• Consider becoming a volunteer until you find employment - it’s a way to “get your foot in the door,” or to develop/stay current on job skills. For active-duty Air Force families, the Air Force Aid Society may pay childcare for on-base volunteers – ask for details at the Airman and Family Readiness Center
• Revise your family budget based on lost or lowered income; your family center has financial counselors available
• Keep a record of all job-hunting expenses; you may be able to claim them on your taxes
  

Over 3500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide have information, tools, and professional staff available to offer comprehensive career guidance and employment and training services to veterans as they make important decisions about their future employment.  One-Stop Career Centers also assist veterans in translating the valuable skills and training acquired during military service into civilian employment.  To find the One-Stop Career Center in your community, call 1-877-872-5627, on the web at http://www.servicelocator.org/

Federal endorsement not intended. The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Air Force or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and morale, welfare and recreation sites, the U.S. Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links provided are consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.