You served your country.  Now you’re ready for a new challenge.  What do you want to do for a living?

On My Next Move for Veterans (www.MyNextMove.org/vets) veterans will find a simple and quick search engine where they enter their prior military experience (branch of service and military occupation code or title) and link to the information they need to explore information on civilian careers and related training, including information they can use to write resumes that highlight related civilian skills.

In addition, My Next Move for Veterans contains a link to an online assessment, the O*NET Interest Profiler, which provides results comparable to the Strong Interest Inventory being used in the new Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Veterans who have not received an interest assessment as part of TAP can access and take this interest assessment online from a link in the lower right-hand corner of My Next Move for Veterans.

Interviewing for a job can seem very overwhelming. It might seem like everything depends on this interview – the job, your life and your career. Try out these tips from the Greater Joplin Toastmasters for your next interview.

It Doesn’t Have to Be About Your Paid Experience

• You can demonstrate your qualifications by talking about internships or volunteer work
• Don’t be afraid to demonstrate skills, experiences and accomplishments from areas of your life outside of work.
• This shows employers how you respond to challenges, solve problems, work on teams or simply show enthusiasm for your career.

Answering Questions

• Remember to stay on topic.
• Answer questions in the most concise way possible.
• Make sure your answer highlights your skills and qualifications for the position.
• Do not lie. If you lack experience, explain how you are a quick learner or give an example of how you have overcame previous challenges.
• Keep your answers positive.

Take Notes

• Jot down information during the interview so you can properly evaluate the company.
• Keep in mind that you are deciding if this position is a good fit for you also.

Be Yourself

• Employers look for authentic answers. The best way to show this is by being you.

If you would like to gain more skills for your career, consider joining Toastmasters International. You can gain valuable communication and leadership skills through Toastmasters. For more information, contact Brooke Schroeder at 417-529-3663.

Missouri Career Centers are equipped with resources to remove all sorts of barriers, including disability. Accessibility is provided through physical and telecommunication resources in the Career Center. Partnerships with groups such as Vocational Rehabilitation and Alternative Opportunities further enhance the Career Center’s ability to help. Both agencies routinely collaborate with the Career Center and both have local offices near the Career Center.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you want to work but have a disability that keeps you from finding or keeping a job, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) may be able to help you. VR specializes in employment and training services that can assist you in becoming employed. A VR counselor will determine your eligibility for services. To be eligible, you need to have a physical or mental impairment that causes problems with working and need VR services to be successfully employed. Once eligible, you will work with a counselor who will help you develop a plan for your rehabilitation. We will give you vocational information and guidance allowing you to make informed choices about your vocational plan.

VR offers a wide range of services that are individualized for your needs. You and your counselor decide which services will help you become employed. Some of the services that may be available include guidance and counseling, job-seeking skills, job placement help, and vocational training. VR also provides assistance with transition services, supported employment services, assistive technology services, and the Ticket to Work program.

To reach VR in Joplin, call 417-629-3067 or toll-free, 1-877-222-8964. VR has an office in Joplin at 801 E. 15th Street.

Alternative Opportunities

A.O. Employment Services is a community-based, statewide service that assists individuals with challenges in finding and keeping employment. We have 12 offices located throughout Missouri which enables us to provide services that best meet the needs of the local community. Each of the services we offer are driven by local labor market needs and individually tailored to the person receiving them. Our programs are funded by federal, state and local dollars allowing us to provide services at no cost to you. We are proud that the way in which we offer services is proven to achieve success. Services include:

• Job Placement
• Supported Employment for individuals who will benefit from intensive support
• Vocational Evaluation and Career Planning
• Specialized Services for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Specialized Services for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH)
• Veterans Services
• Skill Training Programs

AO in Joplin is located at 405 E. 4th Street in Joplin and may be reached at 417-659-9911.

Other helpful links:

• Campaign for Disability Employment
• ADA Basics
• Ticket to Work
• College Recruitment Program for persons with disabilities
• GettingHired.com job bank and tips for employment

If your employer notifies you that you are being laid off from your job due to a downsizing or closing, ask your employer if the company plans to participate in the Rapid Response Program through the Missouri Career Center.

The Rapid Response Program brings together staff from the Missouri Career Center, Workforce Investment Board and Unemployment Insurance to work with the employer to make sure employees who are losing their jobs through no fault of their own have the information they need to learn what options are available to them.

These options may include receiving unemployment insurance funds, going back to school to obtain a GED or other training, attending workshops and getting assistance with looking for a new job.

All of these topics are covered in Rapid Response meetings offered if 10 or more employees are losing their jobs. If the layoff is smaller than 10 people, these services still are available by appointment with a workforce specialist at a Career Center office. Click here for contact information at the Joplin or Monett Career Centers.

To meet the needs of veterans, the Missouri Career Center utilizes Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) staff who are familiar with the full range of job development training programs and other services available for veterans at the Missouri Career Center.

Veterans specialists conduct outreach to employers and hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans, and generally assist veterans to gain and retain employment. They also provide additional services to meet the employment needs of disabled veterans and other eligible veterans, with the maximum emphasis directed toward those who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, including homeless veterans and veterans with barriers to employment.

To quickly connect with businesses that target the unique experience vets have to offer, Missouri launched the Show-Me Heroes program. Nearly 1,200 employers in Missouri publicly pledged their support to hire vets. Click here for a list of those employers specific to Southwest Missouri. The Show-Me Heroes website has additional information on this initiative statewide.

Veterans Workforce Specialists:

• Steve Nicole, LVER, 417-629-3000 Ext. 309, Email Steve
• Jim Soma, DVOP, 417-629-3000 Ext. 223, Email Jim

Helpful links for vets:

• My Next Move for Vets:  Veterans will find a simple and quick search engine where they enter their prior military experience (branch of service and military occupation code or title) and link to the information they need to explore information on civilian careers and related training, including information they can use to write resumes that highlight related civilian skills.
• Military OneSource: Education, relocation, parenting, stress – you name it – Military OneSource is here to help you with just about any need. Available by phone or online, our free service is provided by the Department of Defense for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve service members and their families. The service is completely private and confidential, with few exceptions.
• United States Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment & Training Service: VETS’ mission is to provide veterans and transitioning service members with the resources and services to succeed in the 21st century workforce by maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights and meeting labor-market demands with qualified veterans today.
• USAJOBS: The official job site of the US Federal Government. It’s your one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits: The VA provides Education and Training among their wide range of benefits, including Disability, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependant and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits.
• United States Office of Personnel Management: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Government-wide Veterans Employment Website is a critical component of the Federal Government’s strategy for the recruitment and employment of Veterans.
• Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve: ESGR is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization. It was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.
• USO of Missouri, Inc.: This private, non-profit organization has a mission to support the troops by providing morale, welfare, and recreation-type services to our military personnel and their families.
• DoD Voluntary Education: The Department of Defense’s off-duty, voluntary education programs constitute one of the largest continuing education programs in the world. Each year, about 300,000 Service Members enroll in postsecondary courses leading to associate, bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.
• Troops to Teachers: This U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.
• Corporate Gray Online: Links employers with transitioning and former military personnel through the Corporate Gray Series of military-to-civilian career transition books, Corporate Gray Job Fairs, and Corporate Gray Online.
• Military Spouse Corporate Career Network: MSCCN is a nonprofit military spouse employment program created and operated by military spouses and other military-affiliated independent contractors. MSCCN offers a wide range of corporate job openings, training workshops, job search guidance, volunteer opportunities, and a variety of work-from-home positions to all military-affiliated job seekers.
• GI Bill: education benefits including online application and descriptions of available education benefits for active military, veterans, qualified spouses and dependents. Additionally, there are many links to various Veteran Affairs benefits.
• Vets Career Fair: Virtual Career Fair geared toward veterans and spouses (see below description) that is an excellent tool for transitioning veterans to use in job searching and its free.
• National Resource Directory: NRD provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

If you are 55 years old or older with limited income and you would like to be an active part of the workforce, Experience Works is a program that may be able to help you.

MissouriCareerSource.com has many job listings for all job seekers. In addition, the Career Center in Joplin has staff from Experience Works on site who are happy to assist job seekers over the age of 50.

Experience Works may help you find employment to enter or rejoin the workforce even if you haven’t worked in a long time, have never worked outside the home or do not have a high school education. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Experience Works in Joplin at 417-206-3000.

Other services that older workers might find helpful:

• 50+ Workforce: Workforce50.com serves older workers with a full-service job board and career site. All jobs are placed by employers specifically interested in staffing from the over-50 workforce. Employment and education resources cater to mature workers searching for employment, in transition, or approaching retirement.
• AARP: This job board, created by AARP magazine, lists open job offerings by either keyword or location
• JobsOver50.com: Web-based employment service for Baby Boomers and Retirees across all industries throughout North America
• Wiser Workers: Job search site for experienced workers. In addition to job searching, the site assists with preparation of resumes and cover letters, interviewing tips, and job success information.
• Retired Brains: Job search site for retirees, people planning their retirement, and Americans caring for, or having responsibility for, older family members.