Employing our heroes: Providing employment opportunities for those who served

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Air Force preaches mission first, people always. It provides airmen and their families with a network, purpose and payment.

So what happens when it’s time to move on or just time to move on? How are bills paid?

On April 4, the Career Search and Employment Fair at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base offers a solution to this problem. The event brings nearly 50 companies under one roof with employment opportunities for veterans, military spouses and transitioning airmen.

“Employers want to hire you because you bring a credential that most people don’t have and a work ethic that most people want to achieve,” said Shonte Gonzalez, a community readiness consultant with the WPAFB Military and Family Readiness Center . “Employers come to this job fair because they want that talent.”

Gonzalez teaches job interview skills, teaches resume writing, and mentors people transitioning from military to civilian life. Her job is to help people find their jobs. That’s why she and the event organizers ensure that every employer at the fair is serious about hiring our heroes.

“One of the questions we ask them is, ‘Are you hiring? How many positions do you have open and available?'” she said. “We don’t want them to come in just to browse for resumes. We want them to to come with the intention of hiring.”

Last year, 119 people participated in the activity in search of future employment. Seventeen left with a job offer, and employers lined up another 152 follow-up interviews.

“You can apply online to the same companies, but here, they can see your face and your personality,” Gonzalez said. “So when you apply, they say ‘I remember that person. They stood out.”

The free event is at the Hope Hotel and is open to all veterans, military spouses or uniformed airmen looking to leave military service. The day is split into two parts: There are a series of workshops from 9am to 11am followed by the job fair from 11am to 2pm.

Besides dressing in business-professional or business-casual attire, Gonzalez said to bring two things to the fair.

“Faith. Come with confidence and come with a resume,” she added.

Registration is now open, walk-ins are welcome, and military spouses can attend without their partner in uniform. To register or find out more about the event, visit hiringourheroes.org/wright-patt.