PCS moves are a fact of life for military families. One minute you’re settled, and the next, you’re packing up and shipping off to the next duty station. And while Uncle Sam is great at getting your household goods to your new location (most of the time), your career might need some extra help. Enter LinkedIn Premium—a free one-year service for military spouses that can make a world of difference in your job search.

Make the most of your LinkedIn Premium subscription while preparing for job hunting during a PCS, using this handy checklist to keep you on track.

Get ahead as a military spouse: Learn how to use LinkedIn Premium

Before you dive into the job hunt, start by learning the ins and outs of LinkedIn Premium. It’s not just a fancy badge on your profile—it’s packed with resources to help you navigate career changes, negotiate salaries, and more. Whether you’re looking to land a fulfilling role in a new city, kickstart a freelance gig, or finally get that remote job, Premium has got your back.

Action Step: Explore LinkedIn Learning paths tailored for military spouses. These courses cover everything from remote work strategies to mastering interviews and even negotiation tactics.

Bonus Tip: When you move every few years, the ability to pivot quickly becomes an essential skill. The Premium resources can help you develop exactly that. Master the art of career flexibility and use it to your advantage.

Update your LinkedIn profile and add career breaks

Ah, career gaps—the bane of every military spouse’s existence. PCS moves, deployments, or taking time to raise the kids can lead to gaps in your resume that might make potential employers scratch their heads. But guess what? LinkedIn has a feature just for that. You can now add “Career Breaks” to the Experience section of your profile to tell your story, share context for resume gaps, and highlight the unique experiences that make you a stronger candidate.

Action Step: Update your LinkedIn profile with any relevant career breaks. Explain how military life has given you the adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving skills that many employers crave.

Bonus Tip: Employers value transparency and life experience. Show them how moving every few years and dealing with deployments has made you a multitasking wizard.

Embrace remote work: Stability with flexibility

The days of “you can’t have it all” are long gone. Thanks to remote work, military spouses can now have the flexibility to move frequently without putting their career on hold. LinkedIn Learning even offers courses on how to find remote jobs and thrive in them. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want to work from home in their yoga pants?

Action Step: Search for remote job opportunities that align with your skills. Utilize the LinkedIn job board’s filters to find remote-only jobs that suit your needs and lifestyle.

Bonus Tip: Remote work can give you the job stability that’s elusive with frequent relocations. If you’re not sure how to find remote gigs or make yourself attractive to remote employers, LinkedIn Learning has courses on that, too.

Connect with a welcoming community

Moving to a new duty station can feel isolating, especially when you’re looking for work. But LinkedIn Premium helps you connect with a community of military spouses and potential employers who understand the unique challenges you face. Join groups like the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership or the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program to tap into a network of support.

Action Step:Join military spouse groups on LinkedIn and connect with others who have been in your shoes. Networking is a powerful tool in the job hunt, and these groups can help you find job leads, share advice, and build a professional support system.

Bonus Tip: Never underestimate the power of networking. Sometimes, it’s not what you know but who you know, and these communities are designed to help you bridge the gap.

Get personalized support from SECO (Spouse Education and Career Opportunities)

You don’t have to go at it alone. The SECO program offers a wealth of personalized support for military spouses, from on-demand resume reviews and interview practice to job leads that match your career interests. Make sure you take advantage of this resource to fine-tune your application materials and prepare for your next career move.

Action Step: Schedule a session with a SECO career coach. Have them review your resume, LinkedIn profile, or cover letter and offer feedback on how to improve your chances of landing a job.

Bonus Tip: The SECO program offers personalized job leads. Let them do some of the heavy lifting for you and help you find job opportunities that match your skills and aspirations.

Get comfortable with salary negotiation

Just because you’re relocating doesn’t mean you should undersell yourself. One of the perks of LinkedIn Premium is that it provides access to salary insights, giving you the power to negotiate like a pro. Whether you’re starting a new job or transitioning to a new career, understanding industry salaries in your new location can give you an edge.

Action Step:Use LinkedIn’s Salary Insights tool to research what others in your field are earning in your new location or for remote positions.

Bonus Tip: Don’t shy away from asking for what you’re worth. Salary negotiation is an essential skill, and LinkedIn Premium gives you the data you need to confidently walk into those conversations.

Keep learning: Expand your skill set

Career success is all about adaptability. With LinkedIn Learning, you can access thousands of courses to help you build new skills or sharpen old ones. From project management to digital marketing, there’s a course for everyone—and you can learn at your own pace while you unpack boxes and set up the new house.

Action Step: Commit to completing one LinkedIn Learning course each month during your transition. Pick topics that align with your career goals and the job market in your new area.

Bonus Tip: Upskilling is key to staying competitive in the workforce. Plus, the more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel heading into interviews.

PCS moves are hard enough without the added stress of finding a new job. Fortunately, LinkedIn Premium gives you the tools to make the transition a little easier. By using these resources—whether it’s connecting with fellow military spouses, expanding your skill set, or finding remote work—you can stay ahead in your career, no matter where the military takes you.

The boxes may be packed, but your future doesn’t have to be on hold.