🌟 74+ Five-Star Google Reviews Can’t Be Wrong
Career Coaching that works for Defence Partners
Struggling to build a career that fits Defence life? You’re not alone—but you don’t have to figure it out alone either.
If you're an Australian Defence Force (ADF) spouse, your career journey deserves support—not setbacks.
I’m Jo, a qualified Career Coach and former Defence Partner, and I help military spouses build careers they love—even with the chaos of Defence life.
BOOK A FREE CHAT TO FIND OUT MORE!
Success stories for career coaching defence partners
Chantal
"Jo has been a tremendous help in my journey to start a new career. Moving between places and the possibility of only being able to stay in a job for a limited time saw my confidence plummeting.
Jo has been able to give me a much needed confidence boost in our many meetings. With her bubbly personality and endless enthusiasm she helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and empowered me to apply for jobs that I previously had not thought about.
I'm super happy in my new field and feel confident that my newfound powers will help me in landing jobs in future posting locations.
Highly recommend Jo Macdonald Careers!”
Caitlyn
"Jo is an absolute pleasure to work with, a wealth of knowledge and advice and has been truly something special in the time we worked together. She helped me to gain the skills and knowledge and find ones that I already had within in me to find meaningful employment for the first time in a long time.
Entering the job search is daunting for anyone but with Jo I had the confidence in being able to do so and always knew she was there to support at any time.
Working with Jo you can see she truly cares about those she's helping and genuinely loves what she does. I'll be forever grateful to Jo and went from low confidence, self esteem and belief to gaining employment in only a matter of weeks which truly blew me away.
Thank you Jo, truly!"
Robyn
"I cannot rate Jo highly enough. She has been with me every step of the way through a career and industry transition following the completion of my masters degree.
As well as providing guidance and direction, she was also a able to keep me motivated, accountable and on track to finally get my new job title and career transition. We faced some setbacks in the current job market, but that never stopped Jo. She kept looking for new and different ways for me to find potential opportunities and she would happily review and provide feedback on my applications.
As part of the process Jo helped me to articulate where I want to be in my future career, and even though it wasn’t necessarily the aim to get there with the first job in this new field, we managed to nail it.
I’m so excited to get started!"
Struggling with Your Career as a Defence Partner?
Constant postings, career gaps, and feeling like you're starting over every couple of years? You're not alone.
As a Career Coach who gets military life, I’ve supported hundreds of ADF spouses through:
- Career identity struggles
- Starting over in new states (or countries!)
- Feeling overlooked or underqualified
- Needing clarity and confidence to move forward
How we make this happen:
Firstly, we schedule a FREE chat
My personalised career coaching service caters to your needs and draws on the full range of services. We will discuss your career goals and dreams, to establish what it is you're needing to achieve your career goals. I can provide career guidance and clarity to assist you in answering the question 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'
Secondly, we get you PEAP approved
This is the one part of being a Defence spouse that is super easy. The Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) application takes 2 minutes, you get to choose your provider and they pay me directly. This PEAP funding is for Australian Defence Spouses to give back your career confidence and assist Defence spouse employment. I send you the info and we are on the road to success. The longest part is waiting for the approval (up to 10 days).
Lastly, you're part of the community
Once approved we can begin your life changing career journey. You gain access to a wealth of knowledge, programs and resources that I share with you throughout our online sessions and via the online portal. You get access to a private Facebook group where I share career tips and advice and you can also reach out to other Defence Partners.
Drive your career with confidence today, despite the postings!
TELL ME EVERYTHING!!
Jane (Defence Partner)
"Jo’s career coaching processes were tailored and iterative. She assisted me in identifying my aspirations, strengths, needs and interests. This step was especially helpful as I had stepped away from a career field that I did not want to return to after a nine-year break raising a family and supporting my husband. Taking the time and effort to walk me through the process of finding a career that inspired me and teaching me how my skills were transferrable into that field have been paramount to my success...
With Jo’s guidance and support, I have recently been hired into a position I love. I would not have originally identified this role as a career pathway for myself, but
with a new understanding of the application of my transferrable skills and how I can use them to help vulnerable populations- here I am!"
What you get with my PEAP Career Coaching
✔️ One-on-one personalised sessions
✔️ Career testing to discover your ideal path
✔️ Resume + cover letter support
✔️ Job search strategy and interview prep
✔️ Mindset coaching to rebuild confidence
✔️ Access to templates, tools, and resources
✔️ 100% Defence-life friendly and flexible
Why Work With Me?
Because I’ve lived it.
I’ve been the partner moving with postings.
I’ve rebuilt my career from scratch—more than once.
Now I help you do it with clarity, confidence, and strategy.
🟦 74+ Five-Star Google Reviews
🟦 PEAP-Approved Career Coach
🟦 Real results for real Defence Partners
Defence Partner to Career Coach
As heard on the Military Life Podcast – Parts 1 & 2
Tune in as I share my journey from feeling stuck and directionless as a Defence partner to becoming a qualified career coach, helping others build careers that work with military life. In this two-part chat with Beck on the Military Life Podcast, we talk honestly about the career sacrifices, identity shifts, and the ripple effect this life can have on our military kids—and why it’s so important we don’t lose ourselves along the way.
We also cover the $1,500 PEAP funding available to help Defence partners like you get back on track with real career support.
TUNE IN - PART #1How it works
1
You book a free 15min Zoom meeting with me
2
You submit your PEAP application (takes 2 mins)
3
We meet up on Zoom and start unlocking your potential for career success
Danielle (Defence Partner)
"I attended the (masterclass) webinar and Jo honestly changed my life.
She was amazing – her knowledge, experience and compassion – she helped support me through the whole process and explained how I could access the PEAP funding to help me...Jo and I worked through several aspects of her program, and she listened with intent and care all the way.
Jo’s approach leaves nothing unturned. From resumes, cover letters, my LinkedIn profile, and everything in between, Jo was my hero in showing me that no matter what, my career was important and deserved the care, attention to detail and should be celebrated as much as my husband’s career...
I am now confidently working as an Social Worker in South Australia, and I couldn’t be happier."
Denise (Defence Partner)
"I can’t recommend Jo enough! Thanks to Jo’s support and Guidance I landed my dream job and very quickly...I had an old resume, no cover letter and felt sick at the thought of a job interview...Jo helped me with interview tips and I have never felt so confident during an interview!
Within the week I not only got the job but received wonderful feedback. Honestly this has been life-changing and I am forever grateful to Jo.
I only wish I heard about this sooner!"
Let’s Turn “Where Do I Start?” Into “I Got the Job!”
You're eligible. The support is here.
And your next career move is just one click away.
Book a free career chat or check your PEAP eligibility below. I'll talk you through the everything, so you are not alone.
FAQ's
How do I address gaps in my career, and will this hold me back?
Can I access the funding if I am currently posted overseas?
Can I use my funding for study?
How do I figure out what I want to do?
Can I use my funding if I already have a qualification?
How do I reenter the workforce after taking time out to look after family?
I want to pivot my career in a new direction but don’t know where to start.
Can I work from home?
Brew A New Career
Fortnightly bite size career actions to move your career forward with confidence.
Join the community of career shifters and defence partners who want to brew a new career.
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