Transitioning from military service to civilian life can present unexpected challenges for service members. While they’ve served our country, some may be inexperienced in the civilian workforce. To support veterans’ transition into the workplace, the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Veterans Services team provides priority, no-cost workforce training to veterans that includes resume and interview preparation, access to vocational training and apprenticeships, job matching and more. The team also implements innovative ways to encourage Arizona’s employers to hire members from our Veterans' community.
In 2022, the State of Arizona launched the AZ Hires Vets! initiative to increase the number of Veterans who are employed by the State and lower the number of unemployed veterans. AZ Hires Vets! job fairs feature hiring managers from Arizona’s State agencies and are tailored to help Veterans connect to gainful State employment regardless of where they are in their civilian careers.
When attendees arrive at the job fair, they meet with State Human Resources (HR) staff who help them prepare. “We make sure their resumes are formatted correctly and that their experience is listed as relevant workforce skills,” said DES Talent Manager, Lashanda Brown.
Lashanda explained that some veteran job seekers are unaware of how the work they did while they were in the military applies to potential jobs. In addition to the resume prep, the HR teams provide job seekers with interview training and help them identify which State job openings and agencies would be the best fit for them.
After preparing, job seekers meet with State hiring managers who provide them with information about job opportunities and sometimes interview them on the spot. “ADOT [the Arizona Department of Transportation] has hired about 15-20 veterans through these events,” said ADOT hiring manager Vanessa McHugh.
After serving 25 years in the United States Army and graduating with his Master of Business Administration (MBA), Chris Casper stumbled upon a flyer for an AZ Hires Vets! job fair. Being a Veteran, Chris figured that he would give it a chance and check it out.
For Chris, matching with the right State agency came easily. “I love the outdoors,” he said, explaining that when he came upon the Arizona State Parks and Trails table at the job fair he knew it was a good fit.
Chris explained that his new role, while very different from being in the Army, gives him a sense of service. “We [Veterans] have an attitude of service and I still wanted to serve,” said Chris, adding, “I never would have thought of this as a career if I hadn’t come down to the AZ Hires Vets! job fair. Working for the State gives me a purpose and a sense of value. It lets you continue to serve and comes with tons of advantages. It’s also familiar because it’s government which is something we [Veterans] already understand.”
Through the AZ Hires Vets! initiative, the State has hired 96 additional veterans and continues to hire more each day. Learn more about the AZ Hires Vet! Initiative.
Search for job openings at the AZ State Jobs website. For no-cost employment readiness services visit ARIZONA@WORK and search for upcoming job fairs and training opportunities on the events page.