U.S. Army, 9 years
Program Specialist (Legal Assistant)
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Washington, D.C.

John Kenner was accustomed to public service. As an Army Veteran and community support worker, his job focused on helping the homeless get back on their feet. John found the work rewarding but wanted to move forward in his post-military career. An uncle suggested that John attend the VA for Vets Veteran Career Fair and Expo in Washington, D.C. to explore career opportunities.

“I went there with no expectations,” John remembered. “I brought my resume with me and started talking to employers about the jobs they had available.”

He was interested in working for VA and learned that the Board of Veterans’ Appeals was hiring a program specialist. John was confident that his strong writing and research skills would increase his chances of being hired for the position.

However, his current resume did not fully convey his expertise. John teamed up with a VA for Vets career coach and together they translated his military experience to highlight his professional strengths and tailored his resume to the job’s qualifications. The one-on-one service made a world of difference: armed with the new resume, John was interviewed by a VA hiring manager and received an offer of employment that day.

The high tech, high touch solutions offered by VA for Vets enabled John to find a new career that suits both his background and ambitions. He advises fellow Veterans “to be dedicated, committed to working at [your job search]. It can be discouraging [but] you have to show employers your enthusiasm.”

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