Many military spouses have to search for jobs every time their soldier is re-stationed. Thursday they got some help on Ft. Hood. It was the second year for the "Hiring Our Heroes" Job Fair, sponsored by the U-S. Chamber of Commerce and NBC. Hundreds of Military spouses showed up, hoping to snag a job in Central Texas.
It's not always easy keeping a career when you're married to a soldier.
"Very very tough," said Antonia Roberts, a military spouse looking for work. "We sacrifice so much moving every time that they get re-stationed, I mean, I sacrificed a career that I had over in Seattle," she said.
Roberts moved to Fort Hood nine months ago and she's still looking for a job.
"It's very stressful. There is a lot of people applying for the same positions that have somewhat the same qualifications," said Roberts.
But the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Employment Program is here to help with a career fair targeted just for military spouses with jobs ranging from Analytics Consultants, to Management and Administrative jobs, to Cashier/Clerks.
"They're some of the best assets a company could have," said Laura Dempsey, Director for Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program. "They're very loyal and flexible and hard working. They've had to start over, over and over again. They're really the kind of employee any employer would want," she said.
These are companies who understand the military lifestyle, like USAA, where one in every four employees are veterans or a military spouse.
"We PCS'd or moved for his job and my job did not move me so I had to then search for a job unemployed and USAA opened their doors," said Chryssy Johnson, a military spouse and USAA employee.
Roberts learned a lot Thursday, but is still searching for a job. "The feedback always helps but I'm not leaving today with a job so I'm still going to stay positive," she said.
Hiring Our Heroes is taking their program one step further. Thursday they announced the launch of their Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council which will work solely on helping military spouses find employment.
The U.S. Chamber hopes their program will help hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014.
