Job fair at HVAF helps dozens of veterans

On November 1, HVAF hosted its 5th job fair. A total of 65 veteran job seekers and 17 employers were in attendance. Domino’s pizza donated 30 pizzas for the job fair. Several veterans received interviews and job offers. HVAF thanks this list of employers for their commitment in hiring veterans.

Employers

1. OHL

2. Spherion Staffing

3. Manpower

4. Domino’s

5. City of Indianapolis

6. State of Indiana

7. FedEx

8. Starbucks

9. Finish Line

10. G2 Secure Staff

11. G4s Secure Solutions

12. Camacho Janitorial

13. Home Depot

14. St. Frances Hospital

15. VA Hospital

16. Prologistix

17. CVS Distribution Center

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HVAF job fair helps veteran get foot in the door

On May 7, a job fair at HVAF connected veterans, service members, military spouses with employers who are actively hiring. Twenty employers were on hand, including Lowe’s, UPS, and Eskenazi Health. One hundred and three veterans attended the fair in which 6 veterans were hired on the spot and many others left with interviews scheduled.

“In this day and age, most job applications are submitted online," says HVAF Employment Specialist Chasiti Herring. "The job fair helped veteran job seekers connect and network with employers on a face-to-face basis, which enabled them to create a great first impression and secure interviews. The Employment department truly appreciates all of the employers that partner with HVAF to actively recruit veterans.”

U.S. Army veteran Rick W. says the fair allowed him to get his foot in the door and to learn about opportunities he may otherwise not know about. At his lowest point, Rick was living out of his van; he lugged around a sleeping bag and had only one change of clothes and he did not know where his next meal would come from. 

In 2013, Rick turned to HVAF of Indiana for housing and now that he has a roof over his head he is able to focus on finding a job. HVAF has also assisted Rick with resume preparation. 

The next job fair for veterans is scheduled to take place in the Fall.

First HVAF job fair for veterans

Representatives from 10 companies across Central Indiana convened at HVAF of Indiana on July 24 for the nonprofit’s first ever job fair for veterans. Seventy-one veterans and nine employers attended the event.

Veterans bring valuable skills and experience from their military service to the workforce.

Tucker at HVAF's Job Fair

“I’m just putting feelers out to see about getting back into the job market and wanted to get a sense of what it’s going to be like," says Tucker M., US Army veteran and HVAF client.

“I have been out of work for over a year and I was able to meet with multiple companies like the JW Marriott to see if my skills would be a good fit,” says Leah T. a US Army veteran who relies on HVAF’s services and programs.

A 2012 report from the Center for a New American Security CNAS) offers insight into how business leaders perceive veterans — and makes a compelling case to employers that hiring a veteran is good for the bottom line.

“One challenge for job-seeking vets is translating the versatility of their skills to employers, said HVAF Employment Specialist Chasiti Herring."

Job Fair at HVAF

Veterans, according to business leaders interviewed for the report, offer versatility: They’re accustomed to uniform policies and structure, but can adapt to dynamic workplace situations. Vets tend to boast leadership and teamwork skills that outpace those of their civilian counterparts, and they’re often more loyal as well. “Veterans are committed to the organizations they work for,” the report notes, “which can translate into longer tenure.”

Veterans Job Fair at HVAF

Veterans! Indiana companies want to hire you, and HVAF of Indiana is helping you connect.

Date:        Thursday, July 24^th 2014

                 1pm-4pm    

           

Address:   HVAF of Indiana Inc.

                  964 North Pennsylvania Street

                 Indianapolis, IN 46204

                  Home Depot Multipurpose Conference Room

Companies in attendance:

Bell Techlogix, FedEx, Walmart, BRI Staffing, Home Depot, TKO Graphix, and many more

These Companies are Actively Hiring. Please bring your resume!

For more information contact Employment Specialist Chasiti Herring at 317-951-0688 cherring@hvaf.org.