Have you gotten a job from a veteran job fair?

I wish I could even go to one, they are either way out of the way for me to go to, or if small ones happen in the area I live in, I am currently working and can't go. They have them in the odds times and places, and the people I know that go, have never had any success. I had a friend offered a minimum wage job once at one. He cried in his truck that day in the parking lot.

Thanks for posting this thread, hopefully somebody finds encouragement or utility in the comments/responses. My short answer is "YES, I did get a job from a job fair" oriented on Veterans. The radio button choices with 2 yes responses overstates my feeling - I don't really feel that they are not "great," but they are not "the worst."

Now, for the longer answer: in terms of veteran-oriented events, I attended four job fairs in person, participated in 3-5 "Virtual" job fairs, and went to 6-8 "mini job fairs" that were recruiting/networking meals sponsored by the local veteran groups here in Houston. All had recruiters actively seeking talent from the military and former military ranks. The range of responses in this thread align with my experience, and I concur - it can be disheartening. Finding a suitable role -- or even getting selected to compete for one -- was a long, tedious, slow process. BUT, attending a Veteran job fair did lead to the interviews that then ultimately resulted in my new job/career.

Now the "ugly" part, how the sausage was made for me: attending Veteran job fairs was great for exposure and composure, compelling me to work through a number of valuable processes. The drill required to prepare, research, practice, and get comfortable with interviewing was critical. While my military years provided similar skills, it was NOT the same as marketing or selling myself the way the private sector wants to hear and see. Attending job fairs and associated seminars refined what I envisioned myself doing, where I pictured myself working; and -- maybe more importantly -- helped me take a number of options OFF the table. Discussions with recruiters, helper/mentors, and peers (other candidates attending job fairs) all opened my eyes a bit more to aspects of work that I initially THOUGHT that I might want to do, and then confirmed or DENIED that I really was suited to doing the work. It was an iterative, refining process very similar to any military-oriented problem-solving process.

All that said, when the time and opportunity aligned for me to pursue and compete for a suitable job, it was in large part due to attending and actively participating in the full spectrum of job fairs (networking lunches, virtual/on-line fairs, and formal career fairs) that I succeeded. The repetition of "selling" my story, finding my strengths and weaknesses, and determining my own personal desires paid off and resulted in earning (it was not given to me!) my current role that is just the beginning of my next career with my new company. Maybe this story - in 20+ years - ends with "and he lived happily ever after."

For those who are hearing and seeing things that make you wonder "where's the love" for hiring Veterans, keep the faith. It's a numbers game, and it can be a very long process depending on skill sets and desires. Good luck, stay strong, find support, and keep up the fight!