Editor’s Note: Give us your lawyers, your accountants, your massage therapists. Give use your teachers, your engineers, your real estate agents.
NextGen MilSpouse is going beyond traditional career tips and tricks for military spouses! We are sharing the real stories of working military spouses (just like you!) and their professional success stories on Wednesdays.
Name: Heather Kline
Years as a military spouse: 17
Tell us your job title/profession:
Talent Acquisition Manager for AEON and Vets4Heroes
Is this full-time, part-time, hourly, contract or freelance work?
Independent contractors for both business ventures
How long have you been working in this career field?
2 years
Do you work in an office, telecommute from home (or Starbucks) or a little bit of both?
Remotely from Belgium, perfect for military spouses
How did you get this position? Was it a resume, referral, job fair? Spill your magic.
As a proud Army spouse and Navy retiree, my proactive nature and a sincere desire to serve led me to research several opportunities where I could continue my passion to assist fellow military spouses and veterans.
I was fortunate enough to graduate from the “Entrepreneurship Bootcamp with Veterans with Disabilities,” aka EBV, whereby I was selected to serve as the Program Manager and Recruiter for AEON-Anything and Everything on the Network which is a large telecommunications company that is eager to help military spouses and veterans start their own businesses via AEON. They are committed to offering 1,000 new careers to military spouses and veterans; just a marvelous way to “give back” to our nation’s military families.
Are you looking to connect with career-minded military spouses? Join one of In Gear Career’s 20+ local chapters around the world. In Gear Career is a part of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced while trying to maintain a career while living the military lifestyle?
Remaining relevant and having a profession that I love that’s also mobile, during numerous transitions, can be challenging. My current contracting positions afford me this amazing flexibility where I don’t have to compromise. Serving remotely offers me the security to transfer with ease.
Tell us one thing you love about your job:
It’s incredibly rewarding to witness military spouses and veterans gain meaningful employment and feel productive. I love how it can change their quality of life.
Share your best life-hack for saving time or sanity during the work week:
I save my sanity consistently with working out and meeting up with friends.
My 22 years in the Navy taught me how vital a strong fitness regimen is in keeping your energy level high.
My valuable network of family, friends and mentors keep me in check; I don’t know what I would do without their constant support and love.
Do you and your spouse or partner split household tasks? How do you do it?
My husband and I believe in a one-team, one-fight mantra! It’s a healthy, fun, competitive Army-Navy rivalry in our household, but we won’t ever “give up the ship” on each other. I secretly love that Navy beats Army every year in the prestigious academy football game for the past 13.
Tell us one piece of tech you couldn’t live without:
My computer for sure.
Must-have song on your productivity playlist?
Roar by Katy Perry
What is your No. 1 tip for a military spouse on the hunt for a job?
Take time to do your research and rely on your networks for support.
