Officials consider first hiring event a success Published Nov. 30, 2012 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Oklahoma Military Connection's first hiring event Nov. 8 attracted approximately 600 transitioning active-duty military members, National Guard personnel, Reservists and veterans. Held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, the affair differed from a career fair in that pre-registered attendees had already been matched with potential employees based on skill sets and needs. "I loved it," said Steve Auld, a community readiness consultant with the Airman and Family Readiness Center in the 72nd Force Support Squadron and Tinker's representative on the planning committee. "Our approach was to focus less on doing a traditional job fair and more on developing a hiring event." In recent years, company representatives participating in career fairs have steered away from on-site interviews and reviewing résumés with potential employees. Instead, they hand out cards with a website address. The prospect is expected to go to the website to find the desired information and make necessary contact. Mr. Auld said the planning committee's goal was to provide more of the human element. Planning committee members asked the companies to send information about current open positions and skills sets needed in order to be considered. When organizers compiled the necessary information, they created a website that allowed veterans and service members to see what was available. Prior to the event, veterans and service members could then view the website and import their résumé s and answer necessary questions about their abilities. They were electronically matched with companies and the industry's representatives could reach out to them. At the hiring event, prospects could interview with potential employers. "The approach was a huge success," Mr. Auld said. "Almost every individual who registered for this event was matched with a company, with 230 members matched with two or more companies. Multiple private rooms were available at the event for one-on-one interviews. "When you get people who have been out of the workforce for some time, they really want to talk to somebody," Mr. Auld said. "Since we were able to match them up beforehand, they had the ability to talk to the employer about the company, job and their background and experiences. This was more of a hands-on approach than a traditional job fair." The event also offered educational and skills workshops and taught attendees résumé writing and interview techniques. "Overall the event was a great success and the committee will be meeting again very soon to discuss future planning for more of these hiring events," Mr. Auld said. "We feel this is a great formula for connecting Oklahoma's veterans with companies who have good jobs to fill." The event was sponsored by several organizations, including the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Military Department, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.