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Home from War: Military Expo offers vets help finding jobs

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by Jeremy Hubbard

When Marine Lance Corporal Kaleb McCarthy returned home from war last Saturday night, his loving family wasn’t the only thing awaiting him here in Colorado.  So was reality.

The soldier from Craig, Colorado – who turned 22 Wednesday – is just back from the front lines in Afghanistan, and gets out of the Marines for good in a couple of months.  And like thousands of other soldiers, he doesn’t know what’s next.

“I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m taking it one step at a time.  I know the job market is hard, but I’m gonna just get out there and try to do the best I can,” Kaleb told FOX 31 Denver Saturday at Denver International Airport.

It’s because of soldiers like Kaleb, that some volunteers in Douglas County got together Tuesday and Wednesday and held the Military and Veterans Employment Expo.  It was organized with help from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

More than just a job fair, this expo is a chance for soldiers to figure out how to write a resume that doesn’t use “military-speak.”  Classes are held on social networking, career exploration, how to get ahead of the competition, and what not to do during a job interview.

They’re skills Marc Messier needs.  The 23 year old Afghanistan veteran just got out of the Air Force a month and ten days ago.  Now, he’s one of the more than one million unemployed veterans in the US.

“I have some school, not much, so it’s kind of like you’re in the middle, you’re in a bind.  What do you want to do?  Where do you want to go? I don’t know,” Messier said.

Connecting those dots is what they hope to do here, by only allowing serious employers who are hiring right now to set up a booth.  They also want to teach the veterans to leave a lasting impression on their potential bosses.

“We have people who have gone to multiple job fairs in the last few months, and they say that they feel like they’re just a number and they’re not getting that one on one interaction.”

That kind of interaction is something Kaleb McCarthy could use.  But he does have a plan.

“I’m actually wanting to be a US Marshall, so gonna try to do that, and if I can’t do that, do some plumbing.”

This is uneasy territory for soldiers like McCarthy.  He’s use to other people – his military bosses – making all the decisions for him.  Now, it’s all up to him.

For more information on the Military & Veterans Employment Expo just held in Douglas County, click here: http://www.mvee.org/

….

see for full article including video:  http://kdvr.com/2012/04/25/home-from-war-military-expo-offers-resume-writing-interviewing-skills/

 

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Who Are You And Why Should I Care?

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The biggest problem facing every business and individual today is choice—lot’s of good choice. And most businesses and individuals do a poor job of differentiating themselves to become the first and obvious choice for their market.

“Who Are You and Why Should I Care?” teaches attendees how to define their individual and business brands to get noticed in our over-communicated world. It teaches them how to be remembered by learning ways to truly differentiate themselves and their products and services. And attendees discover how to stay relevant by giving their market ongoing reasons to care about them and stay engaged.

Follow this link for a video about Steve Brazell’s innovative approach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIHkcezQCiI

“THE INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY’S BRAND THAT BEST EMBODIES THE IDEA—WINS.”— Hitman

Competition Removal™ Expert

Steve Brazell is the architect of “Competition Removal”—the idea that it is easier for an individual or company to beat their competition through innovation and real differentiation rather than trying to compete with them head-to-head.

Affectionately known as “The Hitman,” he is an ideator—and helps companies and individuals grow market share and profits by developing and communicating new ideas that set their brands and products apart­—making them the first and obvious choice for their customers.

Entrepreneur

Steve founded Hitman Inc almost 15 years ago, and works with some of the world’s leading corporate and celebrity brands. He also works with start-ups providing marketing and branding expertise as well as early round investment. He is the recipient of multiple industry awards including; Addys and Bronze Quills, and was one of Esquire’s 45 Under 45 Professional Men. Steve recently designed the world’s first (patent pending) online Branding Engine—Brand Op.™

Author and Keynote Speaker

Steve is the author of “Clear! The simple guide to keeping your business alive and kicking”, and is in high-demand to present and workshop at companies, conferences, universities, and private leadership groups around the world. Steve presents on the art of Competition Removal, marketing, branding, and persuasive communication techniques. He has been rated in the top 1% of events he attends and listed as “most thought provoking,” and “most life-changing.”

Media Guest

Steve is a savvy media guest combining a quick wit, unabashed opinions, and deep branding insight that adds to any conversation.

He is fluent in Japanese and an avid student of body language, human behavior, and Far East Philosophy. Hitman Inc is located in New York City and Vegas.

Login to R2W’s recruitment system to learn about Steve Brazell’s breakthrough technique for landing the career you want and deserve. Follow the links for Steve Brazell and Personal Branding.

Call us or use our online contact form if you need assistance.

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Donor Appreciation

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We would like to thank Scott Brazell for donating $1,000 Platinum Sponsorship.  His good spirit is keeping our mission alive and well.

Scott is a veteran from the United States Army.  He served from 1971 – 1973.  He cares deeply about other veterans and their families.  “I wanted to do this for a long time and now that I can, I’m doing it!”

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A New Model

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We plan to post 1,000 new jobs in the next two months.  (Click here to volunteer)

We did not post jobs in our previous model.  Applicants registered once for all careers.  Then applicants were invited to careers that they qualified for (by invitation only).  Now, applicants can still register once and wait to be invited to job openings (let us do the work).  They can also see and apply for specific job openings via their Jobs tab on their Home Page.

Project:  Return To Work Inc.  (R2W) provides services to multiple groups including SSA Ticket To Work and The Military and Veterans (and Spouses) Employment EXPO.  Each group has its own “hive” in our system.

Our process can be very fast.  The initial registration takes about 5 minutes–  contact information.  Then registrants can sign up for the appropriate “hive” where they are asked a small amount of additional information.  For example, registrants signing up for the Military and Veterans (and Spouses) Employment EXPO may select classes and mentors.

Registrants can also apply for specific job openings now.  Specific careers are listed just below the “hives” on their Jobs tab. We also connect the dots for applicants and employers to radically improve the number of positive outcomes.  Once applicants complete their Work History, Education, Work Preferences and References under their Personal Information tab, we match them with all careers in the portal then invite them to apply for those that are a good fit.  We make it easy!

Applicants’ Home Pages provide clear instructions for mastering our recruitment portal and finding lasting careers.  Our recruitment system also provides fun and easy-to-use tools for identifying new career goals. Click here to get started now!

Employers are encouraged to post jobs via the contact form at www.return2work.org.  R2W’s services are free to both employers and qualifying applicants thanks to tremendous community spirit.  We will soon be publishing an article about the overwhelming volunteerism and impressive in-kind contributions.

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Welcome Home for the Holidays

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Happy  New Year!

 

The Holiday Continues    

Epiphany

Polish Fruit Cake – In the United States, in Colorado around Manitou Springs, Epiphany is marked by the Great Fruitcake Toss. Fruitcakes are thrown, participants dress as kings, fools, etc., and competitions are held for the farthest throw, the most creative projectile device, etc. As with customs in other countries, the fruitcake toss is a sort of festive symbolic leave-taking of the Christmas holidays until next year, but with humorous twist.

A sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

     We would like to thank all veterans returning home from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.  We respect you and are grateful for your gift. Thanks to your sacrafices and good work, we enjoy tremendous liberties.

     Our volunteers around the world are giving more than ever to help newly enabled Americans, veterans and their spouses back to work, back to life.  Please join us in giving something truly meaningful to the Military and Veterans (and Spouses) Employment EXPO February 29 – March 3, 2012.

Volunteer

 

  

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2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference

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Project:  Return To Work Inc.  (R2W) attended this world class conference. Advances in modern military medicine are saving an unprecedented number of service members on the battlefield.  Many of the Wounded Warriors either return to the fight or transition to civilian employment.  The Department of the Navy is committed to ensuring that Wounded Warriors have the support they need when they leave military service and seek civilian employment.

The conference theme is “Hiring Our Nation’s Heroes.”  The conference will convene prominent government, military, industry leaders and their human resource professionals who are committed to hiring and supporting Wounded Warriors.  Conference attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn best practices from many successful organizations on how to recruit, hire, train and retain Wounded Warriors.

Conference details and registration are located at the following website:  http://www.public.navy.mil/donaa/Pages/woundedwarrior.aspx.

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R2W President and Board Member Attend White House Meetings

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Project: Return to Work Inc. (R2W) founder, Rob Brazell, along with R2W Board Member, Jay D. VanderWerff, attended a daylong White House briefing in Washington, DC. The Obama White House hosted community leaders from states nationwide, highlighting various policies and programs offered by the federal government that are currently available for leaders at the local, grassroots level. The guests were given a tour of the East Wing of the White House and listened to several briefings by community leaders in attendance. The meeting was a forum for leaders nationwide to offer and receive feedback from senior White House officials on critical issues facing the country.

Among the many topics discussed were veteran’s affairs and initiatives to serve disabled Americans, specifically Wounded Warriors. Thus, the mission and objectives of R2W were extensively showcased during this daylong gathering. Moreover, an invitation to this exclusive gathering of community leaders indicates the high priority of veteran’s affairs to the Obama administration while underscoring the notable work R2W has performed since its founding in 1998. Regarding his visit to the White House, R2W President Rob Brazell noted, “This is the most open White House in history. President Obama is clearly reaching out to community leaders around the nation and we are reaching back. We had unprecedented opportunity to give honest and direct feedback. The White House staff is highly experienced and I am grateful for the privilege to participate in such a meaningful way.”

R2W Founder and Board Members expressed special interest in the following White House initiative:

Joining Forces

As a result of several recent discussions with the Department of Defense, Department Of Labor, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and Colorado National Guard, R2W is changing its fundamental business model to more rapidly respond to the employment needs of thousands of wounded warriors and their families, a stark reality highlighted at both the recent White House briefing and the Military and Veterans Employment Expo held in Golden, CO at Jefferson County Fairgrounds May 23 through 25, 2011.

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R2W Presented the Esteemed Seven Seals Award

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Return To Work Inc. (R2W) President, Rob Brazell, was awarded the Seven Seals Award by Admiral Richard Young and General Thomas Mills at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program (ESGR). The ESGR Seven Seals Award is presented at the discretion of the ESGR State Chair in recognition of significant individual or organization achievement, in addition to initiative or support that promotes and bolsters the ESGR mission. The Seven Seals Award is the only ESGR award that bridges both employer and volunteer recognition awards programs.

Return 2 Work earned the Seven Seals award for its exceptional support of the Military and Veterans Employment Expo (MVEE), held in May 2011. R2W partnered with the ESGR program to create the Military and Veterans Employment Expo in order to 1) address unemployment among National Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans, 2) provide training on job hunting skills, and 3) hold a job fair featuring over 75 employers from various cities in Colorado.

R2W played a significant role throughout the entire Military and Veterans Employment Expo, offering the following services:

  • Registration system, operators, and office support – which were donated by StaffCV, Your Office and Office Evolution;
  • Professional “How to” employment webinars for veterans sponsored by ReadyTalk;
  • A seminar – led by R2W President Rob Brazell – entitled “Career Exploration,” which aimed to help veterans prepare for networking with the various employers who attended the employment expo.

Numerous volunteers helped to make the employment expo a success. Regarding the tremendous success of MVEE, R2W President Rob Brazell noted, “The military and government reached out…the community reached back. This unprecedented collaboration among several military, government and community partners made a huge difference in the lives of many Colorado veterans and their families.”

R2W continues to provide quality metrics to the array of military and government agencies involved in MVEE, while also participating on the central planning committee for the next employment forum to be announced by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program.

 

Honor Guard for this gala event.

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Military and Veterans Employment Expo

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Statistics show that our veteran unemployment is higher than their civilian counterparts. That’s why key federal and state agencies, together with numerous nongovernmental entities, have banded together to organize a three-day expo to provide needed and essential assistance to veterans and military personnel seeking employment in Colorado.

The Military and Veterans Employment Expo will be held at Jefferson County Fairgrounds May 23 through 25, 2011. A different kind of job fair, this event offers classes to veterans to help them address issues that may be preventing them from gaining sustainable employment. Such issues include a weak resume, poor interviewing skills, ineffective networking approaches, and an inability to translate service experience into work experience. In addition to these offerings, the expo also provides face-to-face interaction with employers who are ready and eager to hire.

On the first two days of the three-day event, the expo will offer seven classes, including private-sector resume writing, federal resume writing, dressing for success, landing the interview, and networking. While registrants must complete four of the seven courses in order to receive a certificate of completion, they are free to choose whichever sessions they feel will be of the most benefit to them. Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of one-on-one sessions with volunteer mentors who have real-life experience in the hiring of personnel. These volunteers are on site to advise registrants on how to improve their chances of employment, how to determine which jobs are the best fit, and how to navigate the job market in Colorado.

An informal reception is planned for the evening of the second day where veterans will have the opportunity to meet some of the employers who will be attending the next day’s job fair. Those veterans who have earned their certificate of completion will be invited into the job fair at 9 a.m.; the remaining registrants may enter the fair at 11 a.m. Numerous employers will be available at the job fair to answer questions about their companies and talk with veterans about opportunities at their organizations.

This event promises to be a life-changing experience for many of our state’s unemployed or underemployed veterans. To register for the Military and Veterans Employment Expo, call (720) 250-1189 or visit www.mvee.org.