Virtual job fair planned for military, spouses
Aug. 13 event is also open to spouses and dependents
Attendees can connect with employers, educational institutions and franchisors that are looking to hire veterans.
A virtual career fair for members of the military, veterans and their spouses has been scheduled for Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hosted by RecruitMilitary and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the one-day Philadelphia Virtual Career Fair will give attendees a chance to connect with employers, educational institutions and franchisors “in the Philadelphia area and beyond,” that are looking to hire veterans.
The event, according to information on the event’s website, will allow job seekers to research the employment market, determine which positions are strong matches for their background, submit job applications to employers’ existing openings and secure an interview during or after the event. Some of the employers will host chat sessions that applicants can join.
The unemployment rate for veterans currently stands at 9 percent, according to a press release, up from 3 percent at this time last year.
“The good news: there are organizations hiring this specific demographic with identified military-trained skill sets and they need to fill jobs now,” the release stated, adding that industries such as distribution, supply chain, logistics, ecommerce, data storage/ broadband, pharmaceuticals, select retail are among the areas of business that are hiring.
To participate in the free event, job seekers only need a computer and internet access to participate. Webcams, avatars and photos are not required. Interactions between employers and participants will be primarily through text chatting. However, the employers so do have the ability to initiate one-onone video chats, so organizers suggest applicants dress as if they are going on an interview.
For the best experience, participants should log on using an up-todate version of Google Chrome (preferred) or Firefox from a desktop/ laptop, according to the website, which will enable attendees to view and hear the presentations by employers.
Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary, which has been employing and recruiting veterans for nearly 30 years, implemented virtual hiring events nationwide in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, RecruitMilitary has hosted 36 virtual veteran career fairs, providing 1,300 exhibitors with access to 40,000 military-trained candidates, according to the release.
“At Bradley-Morris and RecruitMilitary, we care deeply about the military community we serve that includes job seekers, employers and our own team. Given the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding COVID-19, to protect the safety of everyone involved, we shifted all upcoming in-person hiring events into our virtual veteran career fair platform,” Chris Newsome, senior vice president at RecruitMilitary, said in the release. “Virtual hiring events are not new to us. We’ve been offering these types of events, in addition to digitally interactive resources, for several years. We’re proud to continue serving those who need us during this time to secure employment and sustain workforce development.”
To register for the Aug. 13 event, visit https://recruitmilitary.careereco. com/register/PHI. Registration will remain be open through the end of the day of the Career Fair.
Applicants are encouraged to upload their resume immediately after registering so employers will have access to it. Companies may begin screening resumes prior to the event and invite applicants to visit their specific chat sessions and/or schedule video interviews before, during or after the event hours.