The USO, in partnership with Hire Heroes USA, hosts transition workshops for wounded, ill and injured service members, their spouses, and caregivers. The workshops focus on resume writing, mock interviews, professional work practices and translating prior military experience into a civilian career. As a follow up to the workshops the USO, in partnership with Hire Heroes USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, host Career Opportunity Days for wounded, ill and injured troops, spouses and caregivers. These non-traditional career fair type events match employers with participants in advance based on interest and background. Employers are asked to provide position descriptions of available jobs along with geographic location of each to aid in better matching of candidates to employers. Employers conduct mock interviews and provide interviewing skills and feedback. Career Opportunity Days are limited to 10-15 employers and 50-75 wounded, ill and injured transitioning troops and veterans, as well as their spouses and caregivers to ensure the size and magnitude of these events provides an environment conducive to one-on-one interaction and networking. In 2011, six Career Opportunity Days were held with nearly 300 attendees. This year, the USO will host 22 workshops and 14 Career Opportunity Days.

WHO

No more than 15 employers with active employment opportunities and up to 40-70 wounded, ill, or injured, service members making the transition to a civilian career, as well as their spouses, and caregivers. To attend participants must have previously completed either a Hire Heroes USA transition workshop or another employment preparation program. All attendees will be prepared with resumes.

WHAT

Career Opportunity Days are high-touch, non-traditional career fairs. Employers are provided resumes in advance for those that have pre-registered, and they are connected for one-on-one “mock” interviews with service members, spouses and caregivers based on their backgrounds as well as the geographic locations each service member plans to live after medical retirement.

This interaction also gives the employer a unique opportunity to get to know the prospective candidates. We match attendees with employers based on their military specialty, previous experience, and geographic interest for relocation. Employers are given interviewees resumes in advance, except for in cases when troops do not pre-register.

WHEN

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

WHERE

USO of North Carolina Jacksonville Center | 9 Tallman Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

WHY

This format provides the employer and the service member an opportunity to interact one-on-one, allow for hiring managers to provide constructive feedback and discuss potential opportunities — which is why we keep Career Opportunity Day intimate.

WHAT TO BRING: Each employer should have at least 2 employees attend, one to staff the table and the second to conduct mock interviews. Please bring a basic table top company display along with any literature.

SCHEDULE

8:00 - 9:00: Employer Set Up and Recovering Troop, Medically Retired Vet, and Spouse/Caregiver Registration

9:00 - 9:15: Welcome & Introductions (US Chamber, USO & Hire Heroes USA)

9:15 - 10:00: Employer Tables Open for Visits

10:00 - 12:00: Employer Tables Transition and Mock Interviews Take Place

12:00 - 1:00: Networking Box Lunch and Guest Speaker

1:00 - 2:00: Mock Interviews Continue

2:10: Closing Remarks and Google Tablet Raffle