What I’ve Learned as an Executive Recruiter — and Why It Led Me to MissionHire
When I left the Navy and transitioned into the civilian workforce, I quickly learned that finding the right opportunity is about more than just résumés and job boards. It’s about understanding people — their skills, their stories, and the unique value they bring to an organization.
That lesson has guided my career as an executive recruiter. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of helping companies across industries find leaders who not only meet the job requirements but also bring the adaptability, resilience, and commitment needed to drive results.
And here’s what I’ve come to believe: the qualities that employers seek most are the same ones I see every day in military spouses.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Lessons from Executive Recruiting
As a recruiter, I’ve learned what companies truly value in candidates. Employers want:
Professionals who can adapt quickly to new challenges.
Team members who remain steady under pressure.
Individuals who can problem-solve and lead through change.
Time and again, I’ve seen these traits in the military spouse community. Spouses know how to navigate uncertainty. They are resourceful, highly skilled, and capable of wearing multiple hats. In many ways, they embody exactly what modern organizations need to thrive.
The Spouse Side of the Equation
Yet despite these strengths, military spouses are often overlooked. Frequent moves, résumé gaps, or licensing hurdles can make it difficult to get a fair shot in traditional recruiting systems. I’ve spoken to spouses with advanced degrees and impressive experience who still struggle to land interviews because their backgrounds don’t fit neatly into conventional hiring boxes.
From where I sit as a recruiter, that’s not just unfortunate — it’s a missed opportunity for employers. Great talent is being left on the sidelines.
Why We Created MissionHire
This is why my wife Courtney and I launched MissionHire. We knew there had to be a better way to bridge the gap between talented spouses and employers who need skilled, motivated team members.
MissionHire isn’t just a job board. It’s a platform built with the recruiter’s perspective in mind:
Helping spouses showcase their skills in ways that resonate with employers.
Educating companies on the unique value military spouses bring to the workforce.
Creating a space where opportunities and talent align more naturally.
By combining my recruiting background with Courtney’s experience as a Navy spouse and medical professional, we’ve built MissionHire to serve both sides of the equation — opening doors for spouses and strengthening companies with exceptional talent.
A Call to Action
To the spouses: You are not defined by the challenges of military life — you are defined by the strengths it has given you. MissionHire exists to help you step into the career you deserve.
To the employers: If you’re looking for adaptable, resilient, and highly capable professionals, the talent you need may be closer than you think. We’d love to show you what the military spouse community can bring to your organization.
