SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Many veterans working to transition into civilian careers after military service find they lack the formal education or job-specific skills preferred by hiring managers. Two organizations that work to assist veterans in the area of career services, Goodwill Manasota and Hire Heroes USA, are joining together to help these transitioning military members and veterans to expand their professional network and enhance their job search skills.
On August 3, Goodwill and Hire Heroes USA will present the Veteran Employment Workshop, a program that includes career coaching, strategic planning, an expert panel Q&A session, and the opportunity to practice interviewing skills in front of mock interviewers. Topics to be covered include the job search – with guidance on strategic networking and interviewing techniques – resume writing, how to translate military experience into civilian terminology, and tips on connecting with companies who want to hire veterans.
“We are thrilled to work with Goodwill Manasota to support its mission of strengthening workforce opportunities for U.S. military veterans who are seeking civilian employment,” said Kimberly Leckband, a Veteran Transition Specialist for Hire Heroes USA. “While we work to provide free, expert career coaching and job sourcing to transitioning U.S. military members, veterans, and military spouses, it is essential that we find local partners in order to implement our program in communities across the country. We are looking forward to working with veterans in Sarasota-Manatee.”
Through its Veterans Services Program, Goodwill Manasota has worked to improve the education and wellness opportunities for veterans and military families, through case coordination and mentoring, since 2013. The program, which is staffed by veterans, offers access to employment preparation courses, educational and technical skills classes, and work resources, all aimed at helping veterans find meaningful employment so that they may advance beyond their military careers and continue to support their families and their communities with pride, dignity and purpose.
“Helping veterans to find meaningful employment and achieve self-sufficiency isn’t charity, it’s an investment in our community,” said C.J. Bannister, director of Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program. “Millions of dollars are spent to train our armed forces personnel – they are lost assets if we do not find a way to repurpose those skills. Through services like the Veteran Employment Workshop with Hire Heroes USA, we are working to offer information, build confidence, and help make connections for veterans so that they can successfully embark on the next stage of their lives.”
The workshop takes place at the Goodwill Veterans Services Program headquarters (8490 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota) on Thursday, August 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attire is business casual. This event, which includes breakfast and lunch, is free but space is limited to just 30 participants; those who are interested are encouraged to call (941) 355-2721, ext. 451 to reserve their spot.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 Veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
About Hire Heroes USA
Headquartered in Georgia – with seven additional offices across the United States – Hire Heroes USA provides free, expert career coaching and job sourcing to more than a thousand transitioning U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses each week. As a national nonprofit, we are committed to transparency and accountability, resulting in a Charity Navigator 4-Star rating and a GuideStar Platinum level. Our programs are funded exclusively by private grants and public donations. Hire Heroes USA maintains a singular focus on employment. Quite literally, veteran and military spouse employment is all we do, and we’ve been doing it with best-in-class results for more than a decade. Since 2007, we’ve helped more than 17,000 veterans and military spouses move into new careers, generating an economic impact of $205 million. For more information about our services, and how to get involved as a corporate partner, employment partner, donor, or volunteer, please visit us online at hireheroesusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.