thedrifter
06-29-09, 06:50 AM
Job Front: Veterans get helping hand
By Darrell Smith
dvsmith@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jun. 29, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 5B
They're trading camouflage fatigues for suits and briefcases, hoping to turn their hard-won experience as soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines into jobs in the civilian world.
Nearly 300 military vets showed up last week at a career fair for retired, reserve and active-duty military members, held at DeVry University's campus in Elk Grove.
They include Heather Fullerton. A former Army staff sergeant, she moved back to Sacramento two weeks ago from Fort Campbell, Ky., the post from which her husband, Alan Fullerton, deployed to Iraq. Now a civilian, she's seeking a state or federal job in finance.
"I'd always had a (military) job and never had to worry. The outside world isn't like that. It's scary," she said. "An active post isn't as affected by the economy, so this is an eye-opener. The worries we have (as civilians) are completely different."
But their military experience gives these candidates a distinct advantage, said Jasen Williams, a director at Ohio-based Recruit*************, which sponsored last week's career fair.
The companies in attendance included defense contractor Lockheed Martin, civil service provider Military Sealift Command and information technology firms seeking the manufacturing and technical experience that military experience provides.
"We still have pretty strong demand from contractors and from the tech sector," he said. "There are pretty good companies after that hard skill set." Companies also are "keen on the soft skill sets: the ability to be a part of a team (and) have professional poise in difficult circumstances."
Williams said the key is "keeping a positive attitude. There are companies ready to welcome (military vets) into the civilian workplace."
For more information, visit www.recruit*************. militarydotcom
Church, Rotary clubs help
A Placerville church, a trio of El Dorado County Rotary clubs and a local consultant have teamed up to help local job seekers.
The eight-week Job Seekers Program is a collaboration of Green Valley Community Church, Cameron Park Rotary, Rotary of El Dorado Hills and Placerville Rotary.
The program, held at the Placerville church at 3500 Missouri Flat Road, begins today at 6 p.m.
"It's an unusual combination of service clubs and churches because they see the need," said Michael Dugan, president of Shingle Springs-based SuccessionCoaching Inc. He is a career consultant who helped develop the effort.
Participants will learn how to prepare for interviews and write résumés, as well as develop public speaking, networking and computer skills. The program will also offer an online assessment tool to identify candidates' job skills.
A $25 fee covers materials. Dugan and a team of volunteers from the church and local business community will serve as instructors.
It's one of several "career ministries" that have cropped up in the months since Granite Bay's Bayside Church launched its Career Coaching ministry in February.
"When this came up, our club was very eager because there's obviously a need," said Kathy Witherow, incoming president of the El Dorado Hills Rotary. "It's part of our mission: to see a need and fill it."
The recession has hit many of this county's major employers, Dugan said, including county government, utilities, gambling and timber.
"El Dorado County has really been hammered by the recession," said Dugan, who figures the county's unemployment rate is higher than its official 11.3 percent, when counting those who are underemployed, working part time or have simply stopped looking for work.
It's also become personal for Dugan, a water consultant for Florida-based engineering firm PBS&J until he and others were laid off earlier this month.
Spearheading the volunteer program has helped him focus on his own career search.
"To be laid off in the midst of this concentrated my thinking," he noted. "It's an opportunity to teach people and maybe re-teach myself."
For more information, call (530) 622-3231 or (916) 873-7860.
Home manufacturer hiring
Evergreen Factory Built Homes is hiring for direct sales positions. The San Jose-based manufacturer opened its new Woodland factory, 21 Pioneer Ave., on Saturday. Candidates do not have to be licensed contractors but should have sales experience and general construction knowledge. Drafting abilities are also desirable, said Evergreen President Thomas DaRosa.
Interested candidates can e-mail résumés to him at: tomdarosa@advantagehomes.com.
For more information, go to: www.evergreenfactorybuilthomes.com.
Delta King Hotel seeks help
The Delta King Hotel in Old Sacramento is seeking an experienced hotel front-desk agent. Prior hotel experience is required, and the candidate must be able to work a combination of day, night and weekend shifts. The full-time position pays up to $10 an hour.
People skills are essential, said Delta King general manager Charlie Coyne.
"The job is going to go to someone who can be generally engaging, and who enjoys interaction with our guests," he said.
Applicants should be familiar with the riverboat hotel's operations: www.deltaking.com. Send résumés via e-mail to: jstaley@deltaking.com.
Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.
Ellie
By Darrell Smith
dvsmith@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jun. 29, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 5B
They're trading camouflage fatigues for suits and briefcases, hoping to turn their hard-won experience as soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines into jobs in the civilian world.
Nearly 300 military vets showed up last week at a career fair for retired, reserve and active-duty military members, held at DeVry University's campus in Elk Grove.
They include Heather Fullerton. A former Army staff sergeant, she moved back to Sacramento two weeks ago from Fort Campbell, Ky., the post from which her husband, Alan Fullerton, deployed to Iraq. Now a civilian, she's seeking a state or federal job in finance.
"I'd always had a (military) job and never had to worry. The outside world isn't like that. It's scary," she said. "An active post isn't as affected by the economy, so this is an eye-opener. The worries we have (as civilians) are completely different."
But their military experience gives these candidates a distinct advantage, said Jasen Williams, a director at Ohio-based Recruit*************, which sponsored last week's career fair.
The companies in attendance included defense contractor Lockheed Martin, civil service provider Military Sealift Command and information technology firms seeking the manufacturing and technical experience that military experience provides.
"We still have pretty strong demand from contractors and from the tech sector," he said. "There are pretty good companies after that hard skill set." Companies also are "keen on the soft skill sets: the ability to be a part of a team (and) have professional poise in difficult circumstances."
Williams said the key is "keeping a positive attitude. There are companies ready to welcome (military vets) into the civilian workplace."
For more information, visit www.recruit*************. militarydotcom
Church, Rotary clubs help
A Placerville church, a trio of El Dorado County Rotary clubs and a local consultant have teamed up to help local job seekers.
The eight-week Job Seekers Program is a collaboration of Green Valley Community Church, Cameron Park Rotary, Rotary of El Dorado Hills and Placerville Rotary.
The program, held at the Placerville church at 3500 Missouri Flat Road, begins today at 6 p.m.
"It's an unusual combination of service clubs and churches because they see the need," said Michael Dugan, president of Shingle Springs-based SuccessionCoaching Inc. He is a career consultant who helped develop the effort.
Participants will learn how to prepare for interviews and write résumés, as well as develop public speaking, networking and computer skills. The program will also offer an online assessment tool to identify candidates' job skills.
A $25 fee covers materials. Dugan and a team of volunteers from the church and local business community will serve as instructors.
It's one of several "career ministries" that have cropped up in the months since Granite Bay's Bayside Church launched its Career Coaching ministry in February.
"When this came up, our club was very eager because there's obviously a need," said Kathy Witherow, incoming president of the El Dorado Hills Rotary. "It's part of our mission: to see a need and fill it."
The recession has hit many of this county's major employers, Dugan said, including county government, utilities, gambling and timber.
"El Dorado County has really been hammered by the recession," said Dugan, who figures the county's unemployment rate is higher than its official 11.3 percent, when counting those who are underemployed, working part time or have simply stopped looking for work.
It's also become personal for Dugan, a water consultant for Florida-based engineering firm PBS&J until he and others were laid off earlier this month.
Spearheading the volunteer program has helped him focus on his own career search.
"To be laid off in the midst of this concentrated my thinking," he noted. "It's an opportunity to teach people and maybe re-teach myself."
For more information, call (530) 622-3231 or (916) 873-7860.
Home manufacturer hiring
Evergreen Factory Built Homes is hiring for direct sales positions. The San Jose-based manufacturer opened its new Woodland factory, 21 Pioneer Ave., on Saturday. Candidates do not have to be licensed contractors but should have sales experience and general construction knowledge. Drafting abilities are also desirable, said Evergreen President Thomas DaRosa.
Interested candidates can e-mail résumés to him at: tomdarosa@advantagehomes.com.
For more information, go to: www.evergreenfactorybuilthomes.com.
Delta King Hotel seeks help
The Delta King Hotel in Old Sacramento is seeking an experienced hotel front-desk agent. Prior hotel experience is required, and the candidate must be able to work a combination of day, night and weekend shifts. The full-time position pays up to $10 an hour.
People skills are essential, said Delta King general manager Charlie Coyne.
"The job is going to go to someone who can be generally engaging, and who enjoys interaction with our guests," he said.
Applicants should be familiar with the riverboat hotel's operations: www.deltaking.com. Send résumés via e-mail to: jstaley@deltaking.com.
Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.
Ellie