Our country is celebrating record-low unemployment rates. Companies are fighting for talent, but a group of high-value talent still is struggling with unemployment and underemployment — military spouses.

MOAA and many other support organizations have risen to the need by offering direct services and support to military spouses, encouraging corporations to adopt hiring initiatives, and advocating for legislative changes. More and more military spouses are sharing their success stories, but many more still are quietly struggling and feeling the pains of unemployment and underemployment.

If you are a military spouse looking for an open door, an employer who will recognize your talents, a company or organization whose culture will openly embrace your military lifestyle, and a place where you can thrive and make the difference you know is within you, then look for these signs so you know where to go knocking for opportunity:

Possible Good Signs

These might indicate an employer has a culture that appreciates many of the qualities and experiences military spouses bring to table. Depending on employers’ familiarity with military spouses, your concerted effort to communicate how you align with their interests in language they understand could open doors! For these employers, the time spent creating a targeted application package with translated language likely is worth the effort.

1. Diversity and Inclusion Commitments — example PEPSICO

2. Employee Development Via Internal Transfers (when employees move around the company, it might indicate an appreciation for diverse experiences and perspectives) — example STAPLES

3. Positive Attitudes Combined With Long Tenures (when people generally enjoy where they work and stay for long durations, an employer might be looking for fresh faces to add balance to the tenure of its workforce) — example

4. Positive Attitudes Combined With Short Tenures (when people generally enjoy where they work and there is a culture of agility and flux with the workforce, an employer might not be scared off by candidates with frequent job changes) — example

5. Flexible Work Policies — example

Good signs

These are a few signs an employer understands and values military servicemembers and veterans. These employers might also understand and value military spouses or be more open to listening and considering a military spouse candidate.

1. Military or Veteran Hiring Pledge — examples BAE SYSTEMS and PWC

2. Military and Veterans Celebrated on Website or Social Media — example CORECIVIC

3. Military and Veterans Recognized on Website or on Social Media as a Portion of the Diversity Talent Pool They Support and Want to Attract on Website or on Social Media — example T-MOBILE

4. Military Affinity Group for Employees — examples BANK OF AMERICA and AT&T

Most Promising

These are a few signs an employer understands and values military spouses or wants to! Be sure to ask these employers if they have a special application process for military spouses so you get in touch with the right dedicated support system from the beginning.

1. Military Spouse Hiring Pledge — example STARBUCKS

2. Military Spouses Celebrated on Website or on Social Media — example PEPSICO

3. Military Spouses Recognized as a Portion of the Diversity Talent Pool They Support and Want to Attract on Website or on Social Media — examples HILTON, FIRST DATA, and DELOITTE

4. Military Spouse Affinity Group for Employees — example

5. Military Spouse Talent Network — example VERIZON

Employers who recognize the business-case value of military spouses and are taking action are out there. Do you know an employer that military spouses should consider? Share them in the comments.