Has anyone ever used the Veteran Employment Specialists at the state departments of labor?

Maj Ron Lobato — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:09:44 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 5:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:20:12 -0500

I had utilized the Veterans Employment section with the Virginia Employment Commission back in '97, but nothing of recent. At that time, there was only one job that I was a match, but I was over-qualified.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 5:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:23:49 -0500

I didn't even know those were out there.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 12 at 2013 8:30 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:30:11 -0500

Been there done that, and it accomplished nothing, when I retired in '10 they said that there was nothing I was qualified for, more appropriately I was told that I was actually over qualified for the available positions and it would not be beneficial for me to even be sent on the interviews. That's bureaucracy at its best.

Response by SPC William Wambolt made Dec 13 at 2013 8:50 PM

SPC William Wambolt — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:50:23 -0500

I used it in the early '80's to no avail. I finally gave up and conducted my own search through newspaper classified pages and speaking to family and friends. This of course was pre-internet so it was a lot of work, but ultimately was more effective. Today with the vast availability of the internet I really don't see any reason to go to an unemployment office unless you want a check.

Response by Maj Ron Lobato made Dec 15 at 2013 9:19 PM

Maj Ron Lobato — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:19:41 -0500

I founded a company that provides career advice to veterans (junkonthebunk.com).  The question is posed for research purposes to assess the quality of this service.  In other words, do other veterans feel this service adds value during the job search?

Response by Maj Ron Lobato made Dec 15 at 2013 9:45 PM

Maj Ron Lobato — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:45:29 -0500

What a great post! That is the exact reason that I started J.O.B. Let's connect offline. Email me at [login to see]

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 1:54 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 01:54:25 -0500

Yes a few times.

Response by LT Peter Gallagher made Dec 16 at 2013 9:27 AM

LT Peter Gallagher — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:27:06 -0500

A powerful resource for more entrepreneurial minds are the Vet Biz and SCORE counselors. I'm on the East Coast so am most familiar with http://www.NJVetBiz.com (NJ State), NYVetBiz.com (NY State) and NevBRC.org (Boston, etc).

These teams are staffed by Veterans who have run businesses for years - so they know what the market is looking for, and they also have entrepreneurial experience.