Job fair targets veterans

COSTA MESA — The Honor a Hero: Hire a Vet, Orange County Veterans Employment Committee's job fair, will return to Costa Mesa for its fourth installment with about 40 employers May 26.

The event, which last year attracted about 550 job seekers — 300 of whom were veterans — boasts a fully represented spectrum of employers for all skill ranges, said Daniel McHenry, committee member.

Veterans "going to work are bringing to the labor market some amazing skills," said McHenry, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1980s. "They have leadership skills, confidence that comes from having to endure arduous situations that their strictly civilian counterparts have not had. So they are coming to the table very qualified."

However, one aspect that many veterans have trouble with and are able to seek assistance for through the committee's workshops and resources is translating their active duty skills into the civilian workforce.

Many veterans are "more qualified than they realize," McHenry said.

"These are fine young men and women who are ready and rearing to go and get back to work," he said.

Although the event is specifically aimed to appeal to veterans, the fair is open to all job seekers.

The fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel, 3050 Bristol St. More information on the fair and committee workshops can be found at http://www.ovcec.org.