U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka hosted a Hiring our Heroes Career Summit Feb. 27 and 28, attracting more than 400 members of the military community and 27 companies.

The event featured informative lectures, networking opportunities, a panel discussion and a career fair to provide transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses with the knowledge and tools they need to find employment in the private sector.

“Transition is like any other military operation,” said Chuck Hodges, a retired Army colonel who is now the senior director of events and programs for Hiring our Heroes. “If you don’t plan and prepare, you won’t be successful. The earlier you can get started and thinking about it, the better off you’ll be.”

Throughout the two-day event, the military community received tips from Hodges and employers ranging from the importance of tailoring your resume for the specific job you’re applying for to using online networking sites.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” Hodges said.

This advice rings particularly true for military community members overseas who face both distance and a time difference with potential employers stateside, he said.

“You are at a distinct disadvantage because of the time difference,” Hodges said, referring to job hunting strategies such as informational interviews that take place on the phone or in person. “You can’t say ‘hey, let’s get together for coffee and talk about stuff,’ so for successful transitioners overseas, you have to use the digital platforms.”

Besides top tips, attendees also learned about programs dedicated to training and hiring transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.

“Everyone should know that they are not alone in their transition,” Hodges said. “It’s a team effort. We’re all here to support you. Most of us are in this space and have transitioned ourselves and want nothing more than to help other people have successful transitions.”

Knowledge about the different resources and programs out there was a relief for Cryptologic Technician Networks 1st Class Nathaniel Rivera, who attended the career summit.

“It’s good to know I’m not as alone as I thought,” said Rivera, who is about to transition to the civilian world after 10 years of military service. “It’s good to know I’ll have resources as a civilian to find jobs.”

The career summit wasn’t just about transitioning service members and veterans. Military spouses were in the spotlight too. At a panel discussion with company representatives, spouses were encouraged to disclose their connection with military and share the unique value they can add to companies such as the ability to adapt, their openness to change and the diverse experiences and skills they’ve picked up with each move and job.  

Besides getting advice, military spouses, along with other attendees, had a chance to get their resumes reviewed at the summit too.

This proved particularly helpful for Jessy Verger, a Navy spouse, substitute teacher and French tutor on base preparing to move.

“I want to prepare my chances to go back on the job market in the U.S., so I was looking for tips on resumes and what companies offer,” Verger said. “I want to be as ready as possible.”

Job seekers were not the only ones benefiting from the knowledge gained at the career summit. Employers benefit from the pool of professionals experienced in working in high tempo, demanding professions.

“The American community in Yokosuka is overflowing with skilled backgrounds and experiences worthy of so many civilian career fields,” said Captain Jeffrey Kim, commander of Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

Overall, the career summit was also a success as it brought in more than 400 military members and spouses to the networking social, career exploration and career fair that made up the 2019 Hiring our Heroes Career Summit, said Sherry Dyer, work and family life supervisor at Yokosuka’s Fleet and Family Support Center.  

“This surpassed the previous 2015 forum that took place here in Yokosuka, which shows the motivation and interest our military community is actively taking to invest in their future,” said Dyer. “The Fleet and Family Support Center is looking forward to future collaborative events with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hire Our Heroes to showcase the educational, trade, and skill sets that our veterans, military members, and spouses bring to the forefront.”

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