Want to hear a phrase that makes every military spouse shudder when looking for a job?
“Why do you have such big gaps in your work history?”
Let’s all heave a big sigh of frustration together. Today’s game-changing conversation is for all military spouses who have missing years on their resumes. We’ll address effective networking, and how active duty and transitioning military spouses can show their commitment, dedication, and resourcefulness as something every employer wants.
Watch the full replay!
Meet our Guest
Jacqueline Widdis, Microsoft Product Manager II
Jacqueline Widdis works for Microsoft after an almost twenty-year full-time employment gap. She spent the years between employment with a litany of activities such as supporting her Navy submariner spouse until his retirement, an at-home parent, volunteer, community builder, and an entrepreneur trying to add a little income to the family budget.
After taking three years to return to the workforce, she is passionate about helping others shorten their time to success in working after time away or pivoting into a new role. Her favorite topics are LinkedIn networking and mentorship.
When not working, she is pursuing her master’s degree in information management, training for a RunDisney race, helping her two teenage daughters launch into life after graduation, celebrating her son’s success in becoming an Amazon software engineer, trying her hand at amateur photography, enjoying a local musical, or cheering on the Seattle Seahawks.
The Career Gap and Networking Conversation Q&A
- How did you overcome a 20-year career gap?
- What amount of time constitutes a career gap?
- Does using volunteer work or saying you’re a military spouse and move a lot make a difference when potential employers look at career gaps?
- How do you effectively represent that gap with your volunteer work and daily tasks on your resume?
- How can military spouses effectively network on LinkedIn?
Get Mentored
Join in on a weekly career mentorship with Jacqueline and a few of her Microsoft colleagues.
Friday at 10:30 AM Pacific – join the mentorship call here: aka.ms/mentorshiplive.
Connect with our Guest
The best way to connect with our guest is on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewiddis/
Find her here also:
https://witfulthinkingcom.wordpress.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQL1MqTr7fUhTcWp_8Pkuw
Thanks for Watching!
Jump on our email list and find out about upcoming podcasts and streams to learn more about how to transition out of active duty life like a boss.
