DVIDS – News – Hiring Our Heroes visits JBLM

The Hiring Our Heroes Career Summit event returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord September 14-15, highlighting current job openings as well as hosting roundtables to help job seekers learn interview skills most important to help them land a meaningful career.

“We’re really glad you’re here,” Adam Rocke, Senior Director of Events and Programs for HOH told the crowd that packed Carey Theater at a morning job seeker session Sept. 15. “Look around, it’s a great audience. It’s one of the best we’ve had, and we’ve always had a great experience here at JBLM and it’s great to be with you all.

The two-day event kicked off with a networking reception at the American Lake Conference Center on September 14. This was followed by a morning forum for job seekers on September 15, culminating in the Career Hiring Summit in the afternoon.

“The uniqueness of HOH is simply that – we host hiring events rather than a job fair or career fair,” said Crystal Kearns, Director of Events and Engagements for HOH. “Our companies are ready to hire. Today, more than 40% will receive a job offer and that’s exciting. On top of that, an additional 40-50% will receive scheduled follow-up interviews.

John Wayne Troxell, who retired from service in the Army as a senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after serving as the I Corps Command Sergeant Major, was the guest speaker at the event and the HOH brand ambassador.

“We will walk transitioning military members, veterans and military spouses through the steps needed to get a good job worthy of their service, but also empower them to network and continue to create opportunities for growth. , development and employment,” Troxell said. “Make sure they amplify on their resume not just the technical skills of what they’ve done, but their leadership and management skills of their department in the army.

“Second, create a network, go to LinkedIn and contact us. Obtain business cards from potential employers. Last but not least, this is the time for them, and they have to orient their entire career which is based on selfless service, and now they have to build themselves into a marketable personal brand that will be attractive to businesses and corporations.

This year’s HOH event is JBLM’s ninth time, and companies and organizations in attendance sent their representatives ready to hire job seekers.

“As a retired soldier myself, companies welcome you with open arms, they appreciate the leadership, they appreciate the organization and the speed we bring to the table,” said Ellis Berthiaume, one hiring companies. “So as an operations manager for one of these companies at this HOH event, that’s what I’m looking for, to bring the same to our company.”

Kearns was asked why employers are drawn to the military community and explained the flexibility they bring to the table.

“I would say adaptability,” Kearns said. “Our military community is nimble. We are able to adapt and overcome many challenges and this translates into the workforce. You might have a conflict at work, you adapt, you resolve it, you overcome it. You might face a challenge at work, whether it’s a technical challenge or a soft skills type challenge, and you adapt and overcome. So I would say that the agility and adaptability of our military community is second to none.

Kearns also shared his top tips for service members, veterans and spouses at the hiring event.

“Network – build your network,” Kearns said. “You never know where you’re going to be in a few years. Let’s face it, every person who joins the military will one day get out of the military. So even if you still plan on pursuing your military career, build those networks, come to events and meet new people, connect with them, connect through LinkedIn, maintain those relationships because one day you will leave the military.

For I Corps Headquarters Lt. Col. Joseph Harrison, who is soon to retire, he said he wants to get a job before his terminal leave ends in a month.

“Essentially, I’m trying to translate my military experiences as an operational and program planner into civilian employment at this hiring event,” Harrison said. “I attended the job search session, and it was great, especially the LinkedIn development and CV development workshops offered by HOH are very helpful.”

For Air Force wife Caroline Pomiroy, who has spent the past eight years living overseas, her experience at the event was positive.

“I got a lot of information,” she said. “I asked a lot how I could transfer my skills to different positions because I have different experiences in different places, so it’s hard to just focus on a certain job. I am looking for a job that will allow me to live a balanced life. I want to spend time with my children and my husband, but I also want to work so that must be fine with me.

“I found a job that I’m really interested in, and they said they were very flexible and maybe they could work with me on whatever hours worked for me, so it’s pretty awesome to To hear.”

According to their website, HOH has helped hundreds of thousands of transitioning military members, veterans, and military spouses find meaningful employment through their comprehensive training and employment events, scholarship programs, and their online tools.

For more information, visit their website at HiringOurHeroes.org/jblm.