Defence Partner Interview Tips: How to Answer "Why Have You Changed Jobs So Much?"

 You're in an interview for the role you actually want. You've smashed the small talk, your elevator pitch to answer the first interview question "Tell us about yourself and why you applied?" was answered with perfection.... Then it lands.

"Your resume shows you've changed roles a lot. Why?"

Cue the awkward pause. The slight tilt of the head. That tiny eyebrow lift.

If you're a Defence Partner (ADF spouse, military partner, defence family member, however you prefer it), you know that question. You've felt that look. As a former Defence Partner with 15+ roles posted across Australia, I've felt it too.

This is the complete guide I wish I'd had when I was navigating interview after interview during postings. The exact scripts. The reframes. The questions to expect and how to answer them like a pro.

Let's get into it.

Do You Have to Tell an Interviewer You're a Defence Partner?

Short answer? No.

And honestly? I'd encourage you not to volunteer it. Unless it's directly relevant to the role you're applying for (think positions in veteran support organisations, defence school mentor roles, or programs serving military families), your Defence Partner status isn't what they're hiring for.

They're hiring for the skills, experience, and energy you bring to the role. So that's where your focus needs to stay.

Stay focused on what you bring. Full stop.

That said, some Defence Partners feel more confident being upfront about their family circumstances, especially when applying for flexible or remote roles. There's no right or wrong answer here. Just be intentional about why you're sharing it (or why you're not).

The Big One: "Why Have You Changed Jobs So Much?"

This is the interview curveball almost every Defence Partner I coach has been hit with. The one that triggers the defensive, scrambling feeling. The one that makes you want to apologise for something that out of your control. 

Here's what I see happening in my career coaching work with Defence Partners across Australia.

Defence Partners are honest, community-driven, big-hearted humans. So when we get asked about our changing roles, we feel like we have to justify ourselves. Explain ourselves. Apologise for the postings, the relocations, and well, let's face it, apparently our "life choices". 

But here's my two cents as a former Defence Partner and career coach.

Those roles, those moves, those gaps? They made you.

The Reframe

Every time you packed up your life and started again, you didn't lose ground. You built something most candidates would kill for.

You learned how to walk into a new environment and add value from day one. You learned to read a room, build rapport at speed, and integrate into teams of strangers. You picked up new systems, new cultures, and new expectations on the fly.

That's not a gap. That's a skill set most career professionals spend decades trying to develop.

The Exact Script to Use

So when the question comes up, try this:

"Yes, my resume shows I've changed roles, and that's exactly what's allowed me to develop incredible communication skills. I can walk into a new environment, build rapport with a team and stakeholders at the drop of a hat, and quickly adapt to new systems and processes. I've seen my fair share of good and bad, which means I'm confident in problem-solving and getting things moving forward fast. I don't see it as a negative at all. I see it as a strength. And honestly? It's one of the reasons I'd suit your team so well."

Read that back. Slowly. That's your story. And it's a damn good one.

Bonus Question to Prep For: "Where Do You See Yourself in 5 - 10 Years?"

First reaction? What the!!, that's going to make me HOW old?!

What they're actually asking: are you ambitious? Are you the kind of person who invests in their own growth and development?

How to answer it (without sounding like a robot):

"Honestly? At the rate things are moving in business these days, I'm not 100% sure anyone can answer that with certainty. What I can tell you is that in the first 6 months, I want to have a solid understanding of the business and be a genuine, contributing part of the team. From there, I want to be working on projects that move the organisation forward and keep us evolving. The job title in 5 years matters less to me than the impact I'm building along the way."

That feels real. It also signals ambition without locking yourself into a fairy tale you can't promise. 

What NOT to Say in a Defence Partner Interview

A few common traps I see come up in career coaching:

Don't apologise. "Sorry, I know my resume looks all over the place" weakens you before you've even started. Lead with confidence.

Don't overshare about postings. They don't need a tour of your last three cities. Keep the focus on what you delivered in each role.

Don't bring up potential future postings unprompted. If they ask, "I am not sure when the next posting is, but we have just arrived and our current posting is 2-5 years" 

Don't underestimate your unpaid work. Volunteer roles, community organising, family logistics across multiple states. These are leadership skills. Frame them as such.

Use Your PEAP Funding to Get Interview-Ready

If you're an ADF Defence Partner, you've likely heard of PEAP (the Partner Employment Assistance Program). If you haven't tapped into it yet, here's the quick version.

PEAP gives Defence Partners $1,500 in career funding every financial year. That's $1,500 you can put toward career coaching, resume rewriting, interview preparation, professional development courses, and more.

Career coaching is more than just putting a resume together to get you a job. Career coaching is about investing in yourself. Getting clear on who you are, the strengths you bring, and the roles you're actually suited for.

The best part? The application takes 2 minutes max. Honestly, it's the easiest thing you'll ever do as a Defence Partner. Approval can take up to 5 days, and reimbursement typically follows within 3 to 5 days after that.

The financial year resets on 1 July, so if you haven't used yours yet, now's the time.

Coaching with me is a fully covered PEAP expense. We work on your specific story, the questions you're most worried about, and the exact scripts you'll need before you walk into your next interview.

You Are Interviewing Them Too

Here's the thing nobody tells Defence Partners often enough.

The interview isn't a one-way audition where they decide if you're good enough. It's a two-way conversation where you're both figuring out if this is the right fit.

You're allowed to ask hard questions. You're allowed to gauge the team's flexibility. You're allowed to walk out and decide it's a no from you.

Own all the amazing strengths you bring. And own the gaps too. Because that's exactly what's made you incredible.

If you got invited to the interview, they already think you can do the job. Your job is to show them you will.

That's the shift. From convincing to confirming. From defending to owning.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If this is a message you needed to hear today, grab my free Defence Partner career guide.

Don't Settle: A Defence Partner's Career Guide

It's packed with the reframes, scripts, and confidence-builders to help you stop apologising for your career and start owning it. Yours to download instantly.

[DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE]  

Already nodding along and want one-on-one help building YOUR specific story before your next interview? Book a free 15-minute career chat with me. No pressure. Just a real conversation about where you're at and what's next.

[BOOK YOUR FREE 15-MIN CHAT] → [CLICK HERE]

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Defence Partners get free career coaching in Australia? Through the Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP), eligible ADF Defence Partners receive $1,500 in career funding per financial year, which can be put toward career coaching. The DMFS application takes 2 minutes max (it's honestly the easiest thing you'll do as a Defence Partner). Approval can take up to 5 days, with reimbursement typically following within 3 to 5 days after that.

Should I include all my jobs on my resume as a Defence Partner? Not necessarily. Focus on the roles most relevant to the job you're applying for. You can group short-term contract or temporary roles together. The goal is a focused, strategic resume, not a complete career history dump.

How do I explain career gaps caused by Defence postings? You don't need to label them as "Defence Partner" gaps. Focus on what you did during those periods. Did you study? Volunteer? Manage complex family logistics across states or countries? Frame these confidently as evidence of capability, adaptability, and resilience.

Does my partner's deployment have to come up in my interview? Only if you choose to bring it up. There's no legal or professional obligation to disclose your partner's role or deployment status. Focus on what YOU bring to the position.

Can PEAP funding be used for resume writing or interview coaching? Yes. PEAP funding can cover a wide range of approved career services, including resume rewrites, interview preparation, career coaching, and professional development.

Jo Macdonald is a career coach and former Defence Partner with 15+ roles across postings around Australia. She works with Defence Partners, career shifters, and graduates to help them rebuild, reframe, and step into work they actually love. Jo runs free 15-minute consultations and weekly career masterclasses on Zoom. PEAP funding is accepted.