What to Expect: Career Connector Edition
Beginning the search for a new job can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating a major life or career transition. To make that process more manageable, Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) offers a guided, supportive approach designed to help you move forward in your professional journey with confidence.
Your first step with HOH leads you to the Career Connector team. Think of them as your front door into HOH’s ecosystem of programs, resources, networks, and partner organizations. During these early conversations, your Career Connector takes time to understand who you are: your background, goals, and aspirations. They review your existing career materials, offer tailored guidance, share personalized tools and resources, and help you map out next steps. Their mission is to ensure you have a strong foundation so you can enter your job search empowered and prepared.
The Process
Every military-connected job seeker enters HOH with a unique story. To support each person effectively, the Career Connector team follows a thoughtful, consistent framework designed to provide the right support at the right time.
- Evaluation: Whether you arrive through a fellowship application, hiring event registration, or the Career Connector connection form, a Career Connector will review your resume and information, then reach out, typically within three business days. During this initial review, your eligibility is confirmed, logistical details are verified (such as location for in-person programs), goals are identified, relevant experience is highlighted, and career readiness is assessed. This step helps to understand your needs and goals before presenting options.
- Assistance: With a clearer picture of your requirements, your Career Connector provides personalized tools and guidance to prepare you for the next steps. One of the most common early support areas is tailored resume guidance. Based on extensive employer feedback, HOH recommends a one- to two-page resume tailored to the roles you are interested in, so your Career Connector will offer targeted feedback and resources to help strengthen and successfully upload your updated materials.
- Referrals: Once you’re ready, your Career Connector will connect you with the programs and resources best aligned with your goals. These warm hand-offs may lead to HOH program managers, internal service teams, or external partners that can best help you succeed. Each referral is designed to ensure you move forward strategically and with the right support network.
- Ongoing Support: Following the referral process, the Career Connector team remains engaged. They will check in periodically, advocate for your progress, and help you stay connected with resources that can lead to the strongest outcomes.
Career Connector Tip: When submitting your initial materials, share as much information as possible, even if it isn’t polished. The more detail you provide, the better your Career Connector can understand your goals and recommend the most effective next steps.
Career Connectors Want You to Know
Career Connector Valerie Camacho encourages job seekers to pause and reflect before diving headfirst into the job search. While many people simply say they “want a job,” taking time to clarify what you are truly looking for can make all the difference.
She recommends considering questions like:
- What type of job will be fulfilling?
- What kind of work environment helps you thrive?
- Do you value flexibility, or is salary your top priority?
- Are you targeting a specific location?
- Are you seeking full-time or part-time employment?
- Has anything been missing in your job search so far?
Thoughtful responses to these questions, especially when included in your initial HOH intake form, allow the Career Connector team to think creatively and tailor the tools, resources, and connections they provide for your job search.
Connected and Collaborative Support, Open to You
Valerie emphasizes that HOH’s support extends beyond its own programs. As a member of the Veteran Employment Collective (VEC), Career Connectors play a pivotal role in a larger, coordinated effort to transform how the military community navigates employment. They routinely guide job seekers to a wide range of services, including HOH programs and hiring events as well as trusted external Veterans Service Organizations and nonprofits. The priority is to make sure every military-connected community member has access to the right resources at the right time.
In addition, Valerie highlights that HOH’s eligibility requirements for many programs are broader and more inclusive than people often realize. HOH is committed to supporting transitioning service members, veterans, caregivers, working-age military children, and all military spouses—past and present. Many veterans or prior spouses assume they are no longer eligible, but that often isn’t the case. As Valerie puts it, HOH firmly believes, “Once a spouse, always a spouse.” The same holds true for veterans. Once you’ve served this nation, our support stands with you forever. The team is dedicated to ensuring every member of the military-connected community has access to the resources they need, meeting people exactly where they are at every stage of life, service, and career journey.
Next Steps Toward Your Future
The Career Connector team exists to help you move forward with purpose. Through personalized guidance, thoughtful referrals, and ongoing encouragement, they work to ensure you are equipped to navigate every stage of your job search. Wherever your goals may lead, HOH is committed to helping you get there, with the right tools, the right connections, and the right support.
