Base job fair: Businesses hiring despite lagging economy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center is hosting a job fair at the Officers Club here Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Representatives and recruiters from more than 65 businesses will attend the fair.

"There are companies coming from all over the United States, and they are offering a wide variety of jobs," said Lee Wright, a community readiness consultant at the A&FRC.

This year's fair will feature many different employers than in past job fairs here.

The slumping national economy has resulted in a lack of job openings within many businesses that frequently recruit Seymour Johnson Airmen and families, and some of those employers will not attend the fair.

"We have worked very hard to bring in new employers who haven't participated in the past that are very interested in military members, either separating or retiring," Mrs. Wright said.

While A&FRC personnel support Air Force efforts to retain quality Airmen, they also assist Airmen who are ready to move on.

"The Airman and Family Readiness Center aims to take care of Airmen and their families in all phases of their Air Force career, including their transition into civilian employment," Mrs. Wright said.

Airmen and their families are not the job fair's only beneficiaries.
"It provides private-sector companies the potential to draw future employees from a base of individuals who are highly trained, well educated and disciplined," she said. "It's a win-win situation."

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with employers, ask questions, leave resumes and schedule formal interviews.

"Job seekers must be ready to sell themselves," Mrs. Wright said. "They should prepare, write and practice a 30-second 'infomercial' about who they are that makes that potential employer want to find out more about them."

Mrs. Wright also suggested that job seekers bring multiple copies of a general-purpose resume and dress professionally.

"Even if that means your uniform, be as sharp-looking as possible," she said.

The job fair can also provide a valuable perspective to active-duty Airmen who are considering civilian employment but haven't made a decision to separate from the Air Force, Mrs. Wright said.

"They can go to the job fair and see what is available in the civilian job market," she said. "It's a great opportunity to practice job-interview skills and to see if any employers are interested in them." 

For more information, call the A&FRC at 722-1123.