2009-09-22T18:56:26Z 19 2009-06-21 The Oklahoman

By PAULA BURKES, Business Writer Blake Eaton of Mustang is planning a search-and-employ mission this week. He’s looking for a job at the RecruitMilitary Career Fair Thursday in Bricktown... "Vets have a great work ethic,” said John Lundberg, a former Marine and director of Thursday’s RecruitMilitary career fair, for which about 300 have preregistered. Employers value veterans for their initiative, self-discipline, leadership and problem-solving skills, Lundberg said. Many have security clearances necessary to obtain jobs in law enforcement, he said. Others have logistics and supply experience that can benefit retailers and other large companies with warehouses. Despite their qualifications, transitioning military personnel can miss out on career opportunities if they fail to market themselves correctly, said Jim Farris of James Farris Associates outplacement firm in Oklahoma City. "Because of the economy, competition is keen,” he said. "They’ve got to be really prepared and aggressively attacking the market. Vets need to be able to translate their military experience into civilian terms,” said Farris, who served five years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. Most importantly, vets should break out of their cloistered military community, Farris said, and get involved with church or volunteer work, where they can meet local people and community leaders...

2009-09-22T18:56:56Z http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-job-fair-offers-opportunity-for-ex-military-personnel/article/3379413?custom_click=headlines_widget