Team Moody seeks employment during job fair

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Greg Nash
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Separating and retiring service members dressed in their military uniform and business attire with resumes in hand prepared to network with over 50 organizations at Moody's Transition Expo Sept. 10, here.

The event was open for all Department of Defense personnel and dependents to explore approximately 700 job openings.

"The job fair is beneficial because it gives individuals an opportunity to practice their initial introduction in the job searching process," said Sharon Register, 23d Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist. "Participants can engage with employers and showcase their professionalism while confidently presenting themselves to show their competence."

The Georgia Department of Labor and Airman and Family Readiness Center co-sponsored the event as representatives assisted veterans transitioning from active-duty service to a civilian career. 

"It's our job to go to employers and bridge the gap to create job opportunities and internships for veterans," said Tony McKenzie, GDL services specialist. "We talk to veterans about how to navigate their job search while discussing resume building, improving their interview skills, creating scenarios and [discussing] things they may have not thought about when pursuing employment."

Employers in attendance ranged from law enforcement agencies to education institutions.

"In a job fair, showing professionalism and having a positive demeanor is how we can sometimes gauge if we want an individual to be our employee," said Calvin Burgess, local law enforcement officer. "You can have the best resume in the world, but if you can't interact and be professional in a public place, you'll struggle in being successful at a job in general."

Having prior experience in a career field, good references, proper certifications, as well as having military experience are also a plus when looking for employment, added Burgess.

"In law enforcement, we love hiring people with military experience," said Burgess. "They already know the rank structure, the importance of emphasizing discipline and being professional in a public place and know how to wear a uniform. Prior service members are always great hires usually because they have that experience and professionalism that's easily transferrable in the civilian work sector."

During the event, employer's pamphlets and brochures were available for participants to improve their resume building, networking and presentation skills.

Many of these resources are offered throughout the A&FRC's Transition Assistance Programs that retiring and separating members are required to attend before ending their military careers.

"I went through TAPS and it was very beneficial," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Abercrombie, 347th Operations Support Squadron assistant NCO in charge of aircrew flight equipment. "During TAPS, there is a three-day Department of Labor workshop, in which if you don't have necessities for the civilian workforce, like a resume or cover letter, then the instructor helps you build one from scratch and helps you set the foundation. From there you are able to fine tune it.

"Also during the workshop the instructor [highlights] the importance of networking, which is basically one of the purposes of the job fair," added Abercrombie. "This job fair basically let me network with recruiters from different career fields that I never would have thought of. It better prepared me because it gave me more options to consider."

For individuals interested in more information as they exit from their military duties can contact the A&FRC at 229-257-3333 to find resources available to improve their job searching success.