Hi Ho Hi Ho!

Hold up just a minute! If you are not the military member, you may not be off to work as quickly as you'd hoped. One of the biggest complaints that I hear from spouses is not being able to find a job here.

First, your expectations of having a job in your field are lowered. Then, you find that you really can't find any type of job at all...sometimes for several months.

Here's the deal. Buried somewhere in the lenghty SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) that we have with Italy is an agreement that military members, and their dependents, will not seek employment in the community while stationed in Italy. There's a lot more in there as well, but that's the part that affects most of us. This is pretty standard at most overseas locations. We can't be taking jobs away from the locals.

So on base it is. But then, how many people are applying for the same handful of jobs? Hundreds!

But don't get frustrated! Jobs open up...eventually. The PCS rotation is 3 to 4 years, so if you keep your resume current and keep checking in you'll get something....eventually. Just be prepared to wait.

Here are a few websites to help you on your job hunt:

Jobs at places like Outdoor Rec, CDC, AYP, Base Club, etc
http://nafjobs.org/viewjobs.aspx

Jobs with government orgs like DODEA (base schools) and DECA (Commissary)
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/advanced.aspx

Jobs at the BX
http://www.shopmyexchange.com/AboutExchange/Careers/


A lot of people sign up to be substitute teachers while they wait for something permanent to open up for them. It provides some income at least and fills your time.

Other folks decide to make money their own way. If you have a skill that you'd like to share, some talented spouses teach classes at the Youth Center, Community Center, or the Craft Store. Legally, this is sort of in the grey, but pet sitting, hauling (if you bring a large truck), cleaning homes, cake decorating, and home childcare seem to be pretty popular ways to earn a little extra cash here too.

On home childcare, I'll probably cover childcare as a completely different issue at some point {and believe me it is a real ISSUE here!}...but for now, if you've been a base childcare provider, gone through the extensive training, and the home inspections, and the hard work of creating a good home childcare facility, I am very very sorry to say that you will not be doing that here at Aviano. I really mean that I am very very sorry! I have been fortunate enough in the past to meet some fantastic base childcare providers who my children {and I} adored. Unfortunately though, home businesses cannot be sanctioned by the base. So the lists from the Youth Center with the ladies who we love and trust with our sweet little ones, the lists that we all depend on when we get to a new base, are nonexistent here. Just be prepared for that!

So check out those sites. You can even apply or send in your resumes before you get here and maybe that will cut your wait time down a bit. My best advice is to temper yourself for a wait and be patient. Take advantage of the extra time that you have during your temporary "unemployment". Go to the gym. Take the Italian classes. Maybe take a college class. Volunteer. Nap. Shop. Drink wine. Whatever helps you get through it!