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People check out H2H.jobs at a recent hiring fair. In the last year, H2H has connected more than 84,000 veterans, reserve component members and military spouses with nearly 5,000 different employers.
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Hero2Hired: It's not just another job site
Posted 7/24/2012 Updated 7/30/2012
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by Senior Airman Danielle Purnell
Air Force Reserve Command
7/24/2012 - Citizen Airman/Aug 2012 -- Two of the greatest challenges the nation is facing right now are unemployment and underemployment, and these related problems are especially severe for those in the National Guard and Reserve. A 2011 survey of reserve component members showed a 23 percent unemployment rate among junior enlisted troops in the pay grades E-1 through E-4.
In response to these issues, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs launched "Hero2Hired," better known as H2H, in December.
The Department of Defense places a strong emphasis on ensuring reserve component service members have a civilian job that provides stability while allowing them the time and resources to contribute to the nation's defense.
"Service members and their families should not have to sacrifice economic security because they stepped forward to serve our country, and right now America's military members are returning to a challenging work environment," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Ronald Young, director of Family and Employer Programs and Policy, and executive director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. "H2H.jobs (the program's website) aims to simplify the job search while reducing the number of unemployed reserve component service members."
According to H2H.jobs, the website isn't just another job site for military members. Instead, it's a Yellow Ribbon-funded, multi-faceted program targeted to support reserve component service members through an electronic job and career web platform, mobile applications and Facebook integration, and virtual and physical career fairs.
"Reservists and guardsmen go online to H2H.jobs from a computer or from a mobile phone and find listings of military-friendly employers looking to hire reserve component members," said Army Sgt. Maj. Wayne Bowser, senior enlisted adviser for Family and Employer Programs and Policy. "They even have the opportunity to speak directly with employers."
In addition to the interactive website with job listings, career exploration tools and networking opportunities, H2H's resources also include a military skills translator, job-seeker profile builders, social networking and mobile offices.
"The military skills translator allows applicants to enter their military occupational code to get a list of career paths that fit their military training and experience," said Jim Strickland, Air Force Reserve Command ESGR-reserve component liaison.
Likewise, the career assessment offers a skills and interest survey to help determine what career types best fit an applicant's background.
"We view civilian employment as an important piece of a reserve component service member's readiness," Young said. "We see the high unemployment rate as a clear threat to the readiness of our force."
In the last year, ESGR and H2H have assisted the National Chamber of Commerce in its hiring fairs across the country. At more than 100 events in 45 states and the District of Columbia, more than 84,000 veterans, reserve component members and military spouses have been connected with nearly 5,000 different employers. As a result, more than 8,400 people have gained employment.
H2H is sponsoring 40 "Hiring Our Heroes" job fairs this year in locations with high reserve component unemployment. Airmen can find information about these job fairs by logging onto H2H.jobs.
(Purnell was formerly a traditional Reservist assigned to the 94th Airlift Wing public affairs office at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. She wrote this article while on a temporary duty assignment supporting Citizen Airman.) |
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