Free Job Site to Help U.S. Veterans Find Jobs

CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- CareerBuilder.com, the U.S.'s largest online job site, announced it is launching a nationwide initiative in conjunction with federal and state government organizations to help veterans find jobs. Together, they created OperationHeroforHire.com, a special job site that enables employers who want to recruit veterans to post their jobs for free. The site enables veterans to quickly identify employers who are sensitive to their employment needs and apply for positions in a variety of fields and locations in real time. "Soldiers returning home to the U.S. are finding they still have a fight on their hands, but this time it's for jobs," said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder.com. "Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows nearly one-in-five veterans age 20 to 24 are unemployed, three times the national average. OperationHeroforHire.com provides a powerful resource for veterans to locate new opportunities, make themselves more visible to employers and learn how to package their skills effectively." The site also serves as a key resource for employers looking to recruit top talent. Leading military-friendly companies say recruiting veterans is a smart business choice as these employees offer a unique blend of leadership and teamwork skills as well as integrity, technology proficiency and the ability to perform under pressure. "Employers across America are realizing more than ever the great value veterans bring to the workplace," said Charles Ciccolella, the assistant secretary of labor for Veterans' Employment and Training Service. "CareerBuilder.com's launch of a free Web site to help employers connect with veterans recognizes that reality." Launched last week, OperationHeroforHire.com currently features jobs in nearly all 50 states from entry to senior level positions in various industries. Highlights include: -- Easy Job Search - veterans can search by keyword, location and job type and by full-time, part-time and contract positions. Visitors also have the option to search CareerBuilder.com's entire database of over 1 million jobs and sign up for job alerts that automatically email positions to job seekers based on search criteria. -- Resume Postings - veterans can post up to five different versions of their resumes to appeal to employers in different areas of interest. -- Veterans Corner- veterans can find everything they need for their job search in this tailor-made online information center. From resume examples to interviewing skills to following up, veterans can get inside tips on how to successfully communicate their military experience and talents to employers. Part of the challenge veterans face is knowing where to begin in their job search. To supplement the tools available at OperationHeroforHire.com, Operation Hero for Hire was first established by CareerBuilder.com, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn's Office and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and quickly grew into a nationwide initiative that continues to gain momentum. For more information on how to join the effort or find new job opportunities, visit http://www.operationheroforhire.com/ .