Active duty military personnel and their families will get a chance to see what’s available in the civilian job market when almost 40 companies offer job opportunities during March 29 and April 12 virtual job fairs at Fort Sill.
The Fort Sill Transition Assistance Program will host the two events from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
The companies will assist active duty military for those who leave between now and the end of July, spouses, working age dependents, retirees and veterans.
Gary Hunsucker, Sgt. Major (retired) and chief executive officer and co-owner of VetS4L LLC, said the companies participating in the job fairs will have more than 15,000 vacancies nationwide. Each company, he said, offers unique job opportunities ranging from entry-level to executive-level positions.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the companies attending our virtual hiring event are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices,” Hunsucker said. “They are looking for talented job seekers of all backgrounds who can contribute to their organization’s success.”
Jobseekers can meet with company representatives, learn about job opportunities and submit resumes.
Applicants should be proactive and take the initiative to apply for positions that align with their skills and experience, he said.
“During the interview process, employers should expect jobseekers to be prepared, knowledgeable about the company and the role and be able to articulate how their skills and experience can contribute to the organization’s success,” Hunsucker said.
Jobseekers will have access to numerous positions across various specialties including law enforcement, information technology, vehicles and equipment maintenance, linguistics, human resources, logistics, leadership and more.
There is no charge to attend the job fairs.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can to ensure veterans have every opportunity to help them make a smooth and successful transition to the civilian workforce,” Jane Cinningham said, Fort Sill Transition Services Manager. “This hiring event is a great chance to find jobs in the area and nationwide.”
However, transitioning from a military career to the civilian job market can be challenging to many veterans. Some of the common problems are lack of understanding about the job market, difficulty translating military skills to civilian skills, culture shock, lack of a professional network, financial challenges and emotional hurdles.
“It is important for veterans to seek out resources and support during this transition period, such as networking opportunities, resume building workshops and counseling services,” Hunsucker said. “Many organizations, public and private, offers programs and services specifically designed to help veterans make the transition to civilian life and find meaningful employment in their chosen fields.”
When veterans are hired, the companies are often pleased with the results.
“Military jobseekers are often known for their strong work ethic, discipline, leadership skills and ability to work well under pressure,” Hunsucker said. “Moreover, military jobseekers often have technical skills and experience that can be directly transferrable to civilian jobs, such as IT, maintenance and operations management.”
Many veterans also possess “soft skills” such as effective communication, conflict resolution and adaptability which are valuable in any industry, Hunsucker said.
Companies and government entities participating in Fort Sill’s virtual job fairs: ABC Supply,
Akima LLC, Arvest Bank, Boeing, Builders FirstSource, CACI International Inc., Cobb County Police Department, Detroit Institute of Gastronomy, Equus Workforce Solutions, ESS, Federal Bureau of Investigation, First Command Financial Services, First Student, Fort Sill Transitioning Assistance Program, Heroes MAKE America CSP | The Manufacturing Institute, Hyundai Motor America, John Deere, KBR, LeadersMakeLeaders, Maryland State Police, MAU Workforce Solutions, OG&E, Oklahoma City Police Department, Paris Police Department, Penske Truck Leasing, Philtek Services, Premier Virtual, Ryder, Texas Department of Public Safety, Troops Into Transportation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection , U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Solutions 4 Life, Willmar Electric. And Xcel Energy.
For more information and updates on the TAP Virtual Hiring Event, contact TAP at (580) 442-6428 or (580) 442-4824 or visit the Fort Sill Facebook events page at https://www.facebook.com/officialftsill/events.