Legion, JobZone help job seeking veterans
Floyd Cline, Ric Licardo and Maudie Price of Post 176 in Springfield, Va.

Legion, JobZone help job seeking veterans

Together, The American Legion and a Virginia-based job fair organizer are paying dividends for veterans and servicemembers seeking employment.

JobZone was founded in 2005 by Janet Giles, who began her recruitment career as a contracting specialist for the federal government. She noted that the Legion and JobZone have a common goal in assisting veterans, transitioning military and family members with their transition to the civilian workforce and quality life.

“Over the years, The American Legion has participated in our events as a vendor at various locations,” Giles said. “This has allowed the various posts to make available information on the veterans service organization, veterans benefits, GI Bill, and sharing community events supported by The American Legion to promote continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers.”

JobZone has been hosting job fairs at Post 176 in Springfield, Va., three or four times a year for over seven years, Giles said, and “we are in the process of locking in dates at The American Legion Colonial Heights Post 284.”

Ariel De Jesus Jr., assistant director of the Legion’s Veterans Employment & Education Division, said working with JobZone is a benefit for the Legion.

“It allows us to get access to a region that has a high veteran population,” he said. “(Participating in the job fairs) allows us to get our brand out there … and exposes servicemembers to our programs.”

Giles said JobZone focuses on job fairs in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., but is willing to expand to other locations if there is a need.

“All of our events are marketed to veterans and transitioning military members and normally held in close proximity to military bases,” Giles said. “If not held on a military base, then we ensure that designated time is allotted to veterans only in order to ensure maximum quality time for veterans being hired.”

A schedule of JobZone events is available here and in Legion.org’s Career Fairs calendar.