Eagle BELVOIR
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March 31, 2016
Teens learn about job searching, volunteering at employment event By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Fort Belvoir teens put their jobinterviewing skills to the test to impress employer panelists, Thursdayduring the Employment Readiness Program’s Teen Job Fair at the Army Community Service. More than 20 teens in search of summertime employment participated. During the first hour of the fair, teens listened to panelists talk about jobs and volunteer positions within their organization, and what they look for in candidates. Juanita Ray, senior human resource specialist for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said she liked to see candidates smile and be attentive listeners. Ray cautioned attendees to take the day seriously as there could be opportunities during the event. Joecil Cohen, AAFES human resource specialist, echoed her thoughts and talked about applying online. “When you complete an online job application, you want to make sure we have all of the correct information,” Cohen said. Employers are aware of a teenager’s limitations with school, but even so, employers expect teenagers to have a good amount of availability over the summer and on weekends during the school year, she said. If waiting for a potential call from an employer, Ray said to use appropriate greetings and voicemails. “I have heard some messages that aren’t very appropriate,” she said. “The first impression is the last impression.” Inappropriate messages such as using music or too casual messages could deter employers, Ray said. Alexis Walters, a Wegmans representative, also mentioned having a clean and professional email address and how to do a phone or in-person interview. During the in-person interview, Walters said to avoid perfume and cologne, avoid looking at your watch and to keep your cell phone turned off. If an interviewer asks a question you don’t understand, avoid attempting to answer based on what you think you know and ask for clarification. When answering, give details and an example. Don’t lie or embellish what you
Photo by Paul Lara
Juanita Ray, left, senior HR specialist with Fort Belvoir MWR, briefs high schoolers on steps for success in their job search at the Teen Job Fair, March 24 at Army Community Service. know, Walters said. Employers understand that, as teenagers, your work experience and knowledge are limited. “We’re going to look to see if you are learning or want to learn,” she said, adding that employers look to see if a candidate will be easy to train. Kim Lazarow, Army Volunteer Corps program manager, talked about volunteer opportunities and their importance. She said volunteer experience can equal work experience, which is a great opportunity if you are unable to find employment. Lazarow described her background as former military with degrees in human resources. She said, despite her background, she realized she wanted to help military families so she volunteered. Those experiences led Lazarow to her current position. “Ninety percent of my resume is not my paid work experience, it’s not my degree,” Lazarow said. “It’s my volunteer experience.” She told the teens to think about their future and to consider what volunteer opportunities there are to help them learn more about what they want to do in the future. Lazarow pointed out another advantage of volunteering. “If you volunteer, it shows commitment,” she said about unpaid experience. “(It’s) not because you are getting paid, but because you are committed to doing the job.” After the panel, teens spoke one-onone with employers and learned more about employment opportunities with their company or organization. Sixteen-year-old Savannah Oberle
and Hannah McMillan, 15, were two teens looking for summer employment. Knowing how to properly conduct yourself during the job search, learning how to do an interview and the importance of reading job descriptions before applying, was the most helpful, Savannah said. Hannah wanted to save for college. For Savannah, getting a job meant a car and getting used to working while juggling responsibilities while in college. William Schless, 16, was looking for employment to be able to afford the things he wanted. “This is a good place to start,” he said about the job fair’s impact on his present and future situation. “I learned a lot of great tips for a job search. It’ll make my life easier when I get out of college and look for bigger jobs.” For employment opportunities for teens and adults, you can find more information such as job postings and job fairs on the Employment Readiness Program’s Facebook page. Search for them by typing “Fort Belvoir Employment Readiness Program” on Facebook. The next job fair for adults is April 20 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. For more information about the job fair email Laureen Dupree at laureen.t.dupree.civ@mail. mil. To register, call 703-805-4590. For volunteer opportunities, see all available positions at www.myarmyonesource.com/VolunteerTools and search for Fort Belvoir. For more information about volunteering, contact Lazarow at 703-805-4152.
Up Front Beat the Blame Game
Fort Belvoir SHARP Office presents Beat the Blame game today, 9 a.m. at Wallace Theater; and 1 p.m. at the Community Center. In this new training, people discuss victim blaming, which is the greatest barrier to holding rapists accountable, and giving sexual harassment and violence survivors the critical support they need. Everyone who goes gets credit for annual Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program training. More info is available from the SHARP Office, 703-805-4352 or 4718.
Cleanup volunteers needed
Fort Belvoir volunteers are needed to make a difference with the 28th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon along the shorelines of Belvoir. Info and registration is available through Kevin Walter, 703-8053969, kevin.e.walter8.civ@mail.mil.
Softball
Belvoir MWR’s Sports and Fitness needs male and female players and coaches for its postlevel softball program to represent Belvoir in the Washington Area Military Athletic Conference and participate in local league and tournaments. Eligible participants are active duty and family members 18 and older; Reservists, National Guard, contractors, and DoD civilians assigned or attached to Fort Belvoir. The first organizational meeting is at 4 p.m. April 13 at Graves Fitness Center. More info is available from Graves, 703-806-5589.
AER
The Army Emergency Relief campaign on Belvoir runs through May 15. AER provides emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their families, mostly from donations to the program, via interestfree loans, grants, partial loans and partial grants. For information about AER and how to donate, visit www. aerhq.org. Belvoir’s AER officer is Toni Cuttino, 703-805-3130, toni.m.cuttino.civ@mail.mil.