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Health & Fitness

Workshops Prepare Veterans for Jobs & Services Fair

Nailing a job interview is rarely easy. But for veterans, talking about their military experiences during a job interview can prove particularly challenging. On Thursday, nearly twenty local veteran job seekers attended a free workshop sponsored by Goodwill Manasota and Chase Bank to help prepare them for the interview process in advance of theVeterans & their Families Jobs and Services Fair scheduled for Sept. 7 at Ed Smith Stadium.

Alton Pardue, who taught the workshop and who is a district manager with Chase, hopes that counseling veterans on the ‘dos and don’ts of interviewing before the job fair will help them maximize their opportunities during the event.

On Wednesday, August 28, Goodwill will host another free preparatory workshop from 9am – 11amat the Goodwill Selby Newtown location at 1781 Dr. MLK Jr. Way, for veterans interested in attending the fair. The workshop will cover interview techniques including explainingwork history experience, resume critiques and mock interviews. Interested veterans can RSVP by calling 941-360-1268 x 331.

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During the workshops, Chase employees conduct mock interviews with veterans and counsel them on how to discuss their military experiences in a positive way, like when describing how theyhandle stressful situations.

“I started out as a tanker and eventually worked as a mechanic on Black Hawk helicopters,” said Maldonado “Tito” Herminio, an Army mechanic who attended the first workshop. Herminio joined the Army in 1975 and spent six years in service before rejoining theworkforce.  He was recently injured and has been out of a job for over a year. He’s hoping employers will look favorably on his unique military experience during the fair.

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 “Veterans deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. They shouldn’t be treated like charity cases, because the skills they bring back to our community are vital to its success,” said Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Bob Rosinsky, who launched the Veterans and their Families Initiative earlier this year to help connect veterans with veteranservices. 

 Hosting the fair is one way in which Goodwill is working to help local veterans. “With numerous employers in attendance, this outstanding event will provide a venue for veterans and employers to connect. I encourage all interested veterans to attend,” said Rosinsky.

 The Veterans and their Families Jobs and Services Fair will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11am – 4pm at Ed Smith Stadium. More than 50 employers and service organizations will be in attendance and will be looking to hirequalified applicants during this free event hosted by Goodwill Manasota, Suncoast Workforce Board and the Baltimore Orioles in partnership with Legacy of Valor, a campaign created by The Patterson Foundation to honor veterans and their families in Southwest Florida. All service members, veterans and their families are welcome to attend. All employers wishing to take part in this event should register online at http://bit.ly/19efK6w.

 For more information about the Veterans and their Families Jobs and Services Fair, please visit EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG or call (941) 355.2721 x.163.

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