Legion hiring fair coming to Minnesota

Helping to check veteran unemployment, a Hiring Our Heroes job expo will be coming soon to Minnesota. The American Legion, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other partners will host a hiring expo at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 9.

The event will be focused specifically on finding employment for current and former military servicemembers and their spouses.

“Finding good jobs for veterans has continued to be a challenge in Minnesota, as it is around the nation,” said Minnesota Department Commander Jim Kellogg. “The Minnesota American Legion is grateful to the Minnesota Wild, the Chamber of Commerce and others for sponsoring the upcoming employment workshop and hiring fair at the Xcel Energy Center.

“We are also grateful to Minnesota employers who realize the quality and training provided by our returning veterans.”

The expo kicks off with an employment workshop from 9:30-11 a.m., where job seekers will be able to meet with a team of hiring experts.

“They will go over their resumés and prepare them for when they speak to potential employers,” said Julie Russell, Hiring Our Heroes central and southwest regional associate. “Veterans don’t always realize how valuable their skills are or how they transfer to something else, so we give them the tools they need to translate those skills into the civilian workforce.”

Russell also said one-on-one mentoring sessions will also be available throughout the entire expo.

After the workshop, a hiring fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature more than 75 prospective employers seeking to hire veterans and their spouses.

Current military personnel, veterans and their families are welcome to attend. Attendees should come with their resumés in hand, and be prepared to network or even interview on the spot.

No registration is necessary; however, registering for the event allows job seekers to upload their resumés to be viewed by employers ahead of time. All registered veterans and military spouses are also eligible to receive up to two free tickets to attend that evening's game between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

To register for the event, click here.

Event information:

Xcel Energy Center

199 West Kellogg Boulevard

St. Paul, MN 55102

9:30-11 a.m. employment workshop

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. hiring fair