Hire Heroes USA

Volunteer Spotlight: Denise

‘Paying it forward’ is a consistent value of the volunteers on the Hire Heroes USA team. This month’s volunteer spotlight, Denise Bitler, embodies an attitude of gratitude and giving back to those who have afforded her the freedom to pursue her passions.

“The most rewarding part of volunteering with Hire Heroes USA is knowing that I am making a difference in the life of someone who has sacrificed so much for me and our country. What keeps me involved is the relationships that I have developed with these amazing clients.”

Denise utilizes over 30+ years in HR, resume writing and interview preparation to provide veterans and military spouses a sense of confidence and empowerment in their career search. Given that she’s conducted thousands of corporate interviews over the course of her own career, she brings a unique perspective to the transition journey. She knows what recruiters desire in a candidate and when asked the best piece of advice she had for a job seeker, her response was:

“Before you begin your job search, be sure to identify your personal value proposition-what makes you unique and the best person for the job. You should then make sure that all of your career collateral (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, etc.) shares and supports that value proposition.”

With a rich history in a career where Denise went above and beyond to support her employees, it’s no surprise that she excells in building relationships and having client interactions that have a lasting impact. One particular client she served made an exceptional impression on her:

“I worked with one serviceman who had just retired from the military and had no concept of how to create, use, and effectively manage a LinkedIn profile. We created and optimized his profile, I taught him how to find people, join groups, and build his network. About 2 months after we finished working together, he emailed me so excited to share he had started work at his dream job. His excitement and pride really made my day.”

By giving of her time and knowledge, Denise is extending the warmest ‘thank you’ to all of the veterans and military spouses she has assisted in their career transition journeys. We are incredibly thankful to have her expertise and heart on the Hire Heroes USA volunteer team.

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of veterans and military spouses, please click here to learn more about volunteering with Hire Heroes USA.

Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services: Is it Worth the Cost?

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Johnathan Severs

Director of Client Programs at Hire Heroes USA

Johnathan Severs is the Director of Client Programs at Hire Heroes USA.

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Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services: Is it Worth the Cost? - August 10, 2022

Building your resume to highlight your career is an essential component for success as a job seeker. On average, a resume can cost up to $400 with a professional resume writer and you’ll apply to 10+ jobs each day before you accept that next job offer. Many professional resume writers package their services to include career coaching which increases the cost to you. While they provide expertise in the job search process, the guidance is typically not for a specific role. Some industry professionals will provide assistance with cover letters and social media optimization but this often depends on what career or industry you are interested in, what level of the role and even location.

The question many job seekers ask is should you pay for resume services? In my experience as a professional resume writer who has assisted thousands of veteran and military spouse job seekers in finding successful employment, the answer is situationally dependent. Below I will outline some questions to ask yourself to determine if the return on investment is worth the cost.

1.) Are you a Veteran or military spouse?

Currently, there are hundreds of nation-wide veteran service organizations that are committed to providing transition services. Hire Heroes USA is the most effective veteran and military spouse employment nonprofit in the country, and our impact is demonstrated by our results. So far, we’ve confirmed over 70K veterans and military spouses hired. Register for our free assistance here.

2.) Are you resourceful and a strong networker?

A quick Google search for ‘resume help’ will open doors to fillable templates, YouTube videos, LinkedIn Learning tutorials and sample language you can use in drafting your resume. This is how I personally learned tactics in drafting my own resume. Networking also has a value with a high return on investment by connecting with the right people, asking for advice and getting tips on how to obtain employment with specific companies. You may discover in this process that resumes aren’t the only component of a successful job search. Learn how to be effective at networking by reviewing this Networking Success Guide.

3.) Still need career direction?

Paying for a resume may not be necessary if you have the tools and guidance to create your own, but there are times when outsourcing this service is valuable. Career coaches can offer insight, encouragement and inspiration to help you fulfill your career dreams. Most coaches charge $75 to $250 per hour and will ask for a three-to-six-month commitment to ensure your success. Professional career coaches are helpful with:

– Connecting the dots and expanding your network
– Assessing your skills and opening new career options
– Career mapping your barriers and identifying ways to overcome them

If the goal is to have success in your career search and obtain employment, seeking professional support and career coaching is highly beneficial. Overall, it can provide structure for your job search, assist in giving you direction and provide accountability. Some key elements of having success in your career search include:

– Having the right mindset – always be career searching even when you are satisfied
– Know your value and know your market
– Reserve time to invest in yourself and upskill
– Be resilient and manage your fears

Understanding your worth, especially if you are newly searching in the job market or seeking professional development, is critical. If you are already registered for Hire Heroes USA, here is a short video to help you determine what your skillset value is to a potential employer: Salary Market Research. A major life change, such as a career shift, can be intimidating. Understanding where your strengths and weakness are and actively seeking growth and mentorship can lead to increased confidence and opportunities on your career search path. No service will get you the job, but through research and sound career guidance, you will be empowered to get yourself your next role.

Johnathan Severs is the Director of Client Programs for Hire Heroes USA. If you’re interested in receiving free career support with Hire Heroes USA, click here to learn more.

Rent-A-Center Announces New Partnership and $100,000 Donation to Hire Heroes USA

Partnership reinforces commitment to veterans affairs through helping veterans find jobs

PLANO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rent-A-Center, Inc., a leader in the lease-to-own industry, proudly announces a new partnership and $100,000 donation to Hire Heroes USA, an organization dedicated to support veterans and military spouses get hired and retain their jobs.

Rent-A-Center supports charities and organizations that align with its community pillars: disaster relief, family and youth empowerment, hunger relief, and, as of this year, veterans affairs. Rent-A-Center’s desire to help veterans thrive aligns perfectly with Hire Heroes USA’s vision and principles. Because employment assistance is one of the top services requested by transitioning military members, Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and spouses to succeed in the workforce following their time spent in the military. With over 1,400 volunteers at Hire Heroes USA and over 65,000 jobs found for veterans, Hire Heroes USA is the most effective veteran employment nonprofit in the country.

Through this partnership, Rent-A-Center is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in veterans’ lives.

“Rent-A-Center’s embodiment of our mission – to improve the quality of life for our customers and coworkers – along with our commitment to veterans’ organizations through the years has led to this wonderful partnership with Hire Heroes USA,” said Ann Davids, EVP – Chief Customer Officer/Chief Marketing Officer. “We are thrilled to help them in their efforts to empower our veterans and their families through meaningful employment opportunities.”

This spring, Rent-A-Center celebrated this new partnership by holding a reception for its employees who are veterans at its Field Support Center in Plano, Texas, and presenting a check for $100,000 to Hire Heroes USA’s CEO, Andrew Sandoe. During the ceremony, Rent-A-Center CEO Mitch Fadel spoke to the importance of supporting veterans affairs and organizations such as Hire Heroes USA, before presenting the check to Sandoe.

“We are thrilled to partner with Rent-A-Center,” said Sandoe. “Thank you so much for your commitment to America’s veterans. Working together, we will be able to help thousands of veterans, not just in the current year, but moving forward.”

About Rent-A-Center:

Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCII) is a leading provider of technology driven, flexible, no debt obligation leasing solutions that offer underserved consumers access to and potential ownership of high-quality durable goods that enhance the quality of life. The company’s omni-channel model utilizes proprietary data and technology to facilitate transactions across a wide range of retail channels including its own Acima virtual lease-to-own platform, Rentacenter.com, e-commerce partner platforms, partner retail stores, and Rent-A-Center branded stores. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Rentacenter.com or Investor.rentacenter.com.

Top Jobs & Training Programs for August 2022

Every month, Hire Heroes USA selects several job openings from our job board to highlight. These job openings are posted by partnered employers who are looking to hire veteran and military spouse talent.

View jobs from our featured employer this month, Robert Half. Also, be sure to check out several of our training partners by downloading the document below.

Click here to download the newsletter .

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