Microsoft Sponsored The Job Forum’s Successful Career Fair For Military and Veteran Job Hunters
Microsoft believes military skills are career skills.
The Business Veterans Virtual Career Fair featured introductions and connections for military job hunters, experts from various companies, including Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, PwC, UCSF Health, LinkedIn, Insperity, MC Dean which works with Meta on security, Packard Foundation, NPower, American Corporate Partners, and Straus Family Creamery. With 64 military and military spouse job hunter signups, the event aimed to assist veterans in transitioning to civilian careers or taking their next career step.
We are delighted that all branches of the military were well-represented:
The Air Force (18%), The Army (18%) The Marines (18%) The Navy (25%) and the Coast Guard (7%). Those serving in The National Guard and The Reserves were included with 4% each and Military Spouses were invited and they came too (7%). It was gratifying that most (43%) were referred to The Job Forum due to our outreach to military groups and military colleagues.
Hurrah social media and the power of word of mouth!
Military of all ages participated. We were a bit surprised that the group was a bit older than we would have expected but of course many have a 20 year career leaving the military in their late 30’s or early 40’s so it makes sense that older veterans attend because they are actively transitioning and because the first civilian job may not be the real career job they need to support their families.
For example, 39% are 46 – 55, 25% are 36 – 45, 18% are 26 – 35. Both genders attended -54% were men and 46% women. Most of the job hunters were unemployed, and we welcomed all races: Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Caucasian. Most of those who attended came for their first time to The Job Forum
Key points included the importance of networking, informational interviews, and the opportunities when one leverages LinkedIn Premium. LinkedIn offers a special program for military to utilize premium.
Volunteers emphasized how normal it is to ask for assistance and to network for jobs in the civilian business world:
Talking and networking is still the #1 way people get jobs.
“Networking is not asking for a job — it’s asking for insight.”
- “Your military experience is valuable; let’s talk about how to translate it.”
- “The goal today is to meet at least 3 civilians in fields you’re interested in.”
- “People hire who they know, trust, or have talked to — even briefly.”
- “Let us help introduce you to others in our industries.”
Breakout rooms were organized for small group conversation and input by specific companies in discussion with military job hunters so that all could come away with some new professional business connections. A prize drawing for Job Forum one-on-one coaching sessions was announced. The event emphasized the value of military skills and the support available from the volunteers from companies like Microsoft, the sponsor of this event, who work with The Job Forum and want to be supportive of veterans as they conduct a job search.
Participants were encouraged to stay connected and continue engaging with The Job Forum.
The event concluded with a reminder of The Job Forum’s mission and the importance of community support for military job hunters- and all job hunters.
The Job Forum volunteers believe nobody should be isolated without others to be a sounding board, teach them modern job search methods, direct them to opportunities and assist and refer them during a job search!
Thanks to Ben Raphael, Scott Rabjohn, and Neka Blair from Microsoft.
