Calling all Veteran job seekers: VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Service is proud to announce its very first Veterans’ Virtual Career Fair on Friday, July 30, 2021!

VR&E has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to bring a virtual career fair to Veteran job seekers. The live event will feature 30+ top private and federal employers who are committed to hiring Veterans. Each participating employer will have multiple job openings to fill with Veterans. The primary focus of the fair is computer science, business management, management analysis, information technology (A+, Net +, security +), customer support and software engineer positions. The job openings are nationwide, so there are opportunities for everyone.

Who is Eligible?

Any Veteran who is seeking a career in the computer science, business management, management analysis, information technology (A+, Net +, security +), customer support or software engineering industries.

When is the Event?

The event will be on Friday, July 30 from 12 – 3p.m. EDT.

How to Register?

Veteran job seekers can register online at: MSSA Virtual Hiring Fair (virtualcareerfairs.com)

How does it Work?

Recruiters and employer contacts will have information on open jobs, be able to answer questions and live chat with job seekers. Participants can visit the virtual booths of the hiring employers they are interested in speaking with. Job seekers can visit as many or as few booths as they like. Employer representatives can continue conversations with job seekers even after the job fair is over as the virtual career fair’s connection and features will remain open all day.

What to Expect?

The virtual career fair will look very similar to a real-life, in-person career fair. Veteran job seekers can register and log in at the time of the event. They will enter a virtual hallway to see each employer’s booth. Participants enter a booth where they meet one of the employer’s representatives. Once in the booth, participants can check out the employer’s FAQs, apply to job vacancies, and post general questions in a group chat or directly message the employer.

Which Private and Federal Employers are Participating?

• Veterans Health Administration
• Maximus
• Internal Revenue Service
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Defense Contract Management Agency
• Sierra7
• Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Department of Transportation
• Cisco
• US Agency for International Development
• CVS/Anthem
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• US Department of Agriculture
• General Dynamics
• US Department of Homeland Security
• Global Connection to Employment
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Cognasante
• US Department of Commerce
• Disability Solutions
• US Department of Labor

And many more!

Topics in this story

BenefitsEmploymentJob FairVR&E

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89 Comments

  1. Geoffrey July 30, 2021 at 21:04

    I’m unable to upload Resume on the register page, just displays a spinning “busy” cursor. Unable to continue registration

  2. Peter Granato July 30, 2021 at 15:59

    LAST MINUTE UPDATE FROM VR&E:

    DUE TO OVERWHELMING PARTICIPATION- VR&E and Microsoft will keep this event active until Tuesday, August 3rd, at 5PM ET. Participants can still register and submit resumes at the virtual booths until that time! Hope this helps!

  3. Maybe next time July 30, 2021 at 14:47

    I attended and this was fairly disappointing.. Almost everyone I spoke to just said to visit their website careers page.. If I’m job searching Im already doing this.

  4. Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:55

    I would suggest still registering for the event because employers may still review your resume if they are able too. You can still enter the booths at later date/time to apply. I believe the booths will remain open for additional day or two.

  5. Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:35

    Hello……..there are opportunities outside of computer to include business management, analyst, customer service, etc. I would suggest registering and seeing what other opportunities might be available.

  6. Walter J Fahnestock Jr July 30, 2021 at 08:11

    I registered but didn’t receive a ZOOM link. What should I do?

  7. Michael July 30, 2021 at 07:52

    Tried to make it thru most of these posts but halfway thru them I was up to my buttocks in crocodile tears.. I realize we live in the world of stimulus(free money )As a Veteran of both the US Navy and Army National Guard it blows my mind that some of us are still waiting for the JOB to knock on the door!! I suspect that since kids of veterans are immediate family members…right….really…they shouldn’t qualify…lol..Some of these thoughts really should not allowed to be allow outside the lips haha just saying

  8. Wade Cooper III July 30, 2021 at 07:16

    Does anyone know what ” MSSA ” acronym stand for? I hope the VA didn’t get hacked and I put my information out here thinking I would get a job……

  9. Wade Cooper III July 30, 2021 at 07:08

    No, I got the same thing @Matthew. Those others who couldn’t up load documents didn’t get this far. I was so looking forward to this job fair. Maybe next time

    • Peter Granato July 30, 2021 at 08:12

      Hi Wade- I’m going to have Astound look in the problems raised on this page. Hopefully we can get everyone squared away before the event.

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:23

      Wade,
      Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

      After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

      Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
      Nicole
      info@astoundvirtual.com

  10. Cynthia Porter July 29, 2021 at 19:04

    I just can’t believe how some spouses think they are eligible for “veterans” benefits. The event is for “Veterans”. What is a veteran? Look it up. Thank you.

    • R.A July 30, 2021 at 08:43

      @Cynthia Porter Spouses of Veterans do get some VA benefits, but I don’t see anywhere on this job listing that says it includes spouses, so not sure who you are referring too?

  11. Lori S July 29, 2021 at 18:21

    I am a Veteran with a current job, but would also like to possibly seek other employment. Can we leave resumes online somewhere, if we are unable to attend due to work hours?

  12. Ed Dibble July 29, 2021 at 16:21

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this site actually worked?

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:25

      Ed,
      Please contact me so our team can help troubleshoot. There have been over 5,000 registered so the site is working, we need to work through any issues you are experiencing.

      Nicole

      • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:38

        Ed,
        PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I CAN HELP REGISTER YOU.

        When registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

        After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

        Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
        Nicole
        info@astoundvirtual.com

  13. Mario M July 29, 2021 at 14:08

    The link sends you to a form that does not allow you to upload your resume. An upload is required to get registered. Why am I not surprised

    • Jason July 29, 2021 at 15:17

      Same here

      • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:37

        Jason,
        PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I CAN HELP REGISTER YOU.

        Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

        After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

        Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
        Nicole
        info@astoundvirtual.com

    • R.A July 29, 2021 at 17:09

      Call the phone # on this page https://astoundvirtual.com/contact/ , hopefully someone will call you back in time and manually register you by email that’s what I did and I am now registered. gl!

      • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:36

        R.A.
        PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I CAN HELP REGISTER YOU.

        Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

        After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

        Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
        Nicole
        info@astoundvirtual.com

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:35

      Mario M,
      Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

      After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

      Also please use either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers.

      Please contact me to troubleshoot.

      Nicole
      info@astoundvirtual.com

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:36

      Mario M,
      PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I CAN HELP REGISTER YOU.

      Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

      After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

      Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
      Nicole
      info@astoundvirtual.com

  14. Mark Cruz July 29, 2021 at 13:58

    Yeah privatize the VA so we can start paying for our benefits.

  15. Matthew D Maserati July 29, 2021 at 13:31

    I registered but many items were ot available … (the servers are working right both img and json fail. ) I did receive confirmation email about being registered , but not how to attend .. ie a LInk or something. Maybe I am missing something

  16. R.A July 29, 2021 at 12:17

    Site is not working, could not register/create an account in order to join the fair tomorrow. I have tried several times and on different computers, I even emailed their support dept and the main email for this company Astound Virtual, and both times I got a automatic reply that said ” Delivery has failed to these recipients or groups:
    support@virtualcareerfairs.com (support@virtualcareerfairs.com)”
    The address you sent your message to wasn’t found at the destination domain. It might be misspelled or it might not exist.

    I even called the only phone # for them, I hope they call back quick.

    • Matt July 29, 2021 at 21:52

      Does this apply for spouses as well or specifically veterans only?

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:26

      Mario,
      Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

      After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

      Also please sure Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers

      Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
      Nicole
      info@astoundvirtual.com

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:27

      RA,
      Please contact me at info@astoundvirtual.com to hep troubleshoot any problems you are experiencing.

      Thank you,
      Nicole
      Astound Team

  17. Robert L Weaver jr July 29, 2021 at 11:52

    We are veterans. All of us does not have the skills or the knowledge for computers. But a lot of us would love to go to work. So that limits your word of “all veterans”. Bring up more opportunities for all veterans would be well appreciated. I’m not looking for a job because of my disability. But I hope this message go out for all VETS.

    • R.A July 29, 2021 at 16:49

      Actually it is for all Veterans it just says that it’s primary focus is on computer related positions, but not all of them are. So, if you click on the register link above under “How to register, it will open up the application form, the form has registration questions one section is “Job field of interest” , your choices are IT, non IT and Staff, I’m assuming staff could mean custodian, secretary etc….? Won’t know unless you register and attend, you never know, gl!

  18. Leo Armstrong July 29, 2021 at 11:43

    I have been in sales and business management as well as electronic and mechanical repair. Send and receive mores code, teletype in Navy. I am in sales at this time. Any openings for me?

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:39

      Yes Leo, there are position in other positions besides IT……….there are positions in business management, computer science, engineering, computer software, contract specialist, grant specialist, customer service, and any more……..

  19. Joseph R. Gutheinz July 29, 2021 at 11:21

    First how do I sign in? Second, my law partners and I are all veterans. I was an Army Captain (Intelligence and Aviation) before becoming a Federal Agent (now retired); one of my law partners is a Lt. Col in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and an Afghanistan War veteran; the other law partner is a Major Promotable in the U.S. Army Reserve Adjutant General Corps. What we are interested in is legal or investigative work that can be contracted to our all veteran Texas based law firm. Are there opportunities for our firm?

    • R.A July 29, 2021 at 13:49

      There’s a link you click on above the comment section under “how to register”. But their a problem with their create an account/register site, I’ve tried to register 5 times and each time it would fail to upload my resume and it won’t let you continue to register unless you upload the resume, not even their support email works or their main email. Maybe you’ll have better luck? Gl and let us know!

      • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:28

        RA,
        Good morning, when registering for the career fair and you get to the part to select your resume, you click on Choose a File, it will then bring up your PC in a pop up window and then you will find where you have saved the resume on your computer. I suggest saving your resume on your DESKTOP, so it will be easy to locate.

        After you select the resume you want to upload, you click on the word OPEN and it will then load the file and the path will read C:\fakepath\NAME OF YOUR FILE HERE.

        Also please sure Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers

        Thank you and if you need additional help please let me know.
        Nicole
        info@astoundvirtual.com

    • Nicole O'Brien July 30, 2021 at 08:56

      This is the login link to today’s career fair.

      https://mssa.virtualcareerfairs.com/event/mssa/vre/login

      You click on the link and if ALREADY REGISTERED, you enter you email in ALREADY REGISTERED and click LOGIN.

      If you have any problems please contact me,
      Nicole
      info@astoundvirtual.com

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:41

      https://mssa.virtualcareerfairs.com/event/mssa/vre/login

  20. James F. Kollenda July 29, 2021 at 09:57

    I will sign up and make the job fair!
    I am a registered architect in the State of Arizona.

    • Peter Granato July 30, 2021 at 08:10

      Thank you for participating!

  21. Dan Doty July 29, 2021 at 09:48

    First of all, kudos to our Secretary of Veterans Affairs, The Honorable Denis Richard McDonough, for his leadership in demanding vaccination for ALL VA employees and volunteers. Please suggest that he take one step more and “order” ALL veterans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine regimen or lose benefits and access to VA facilities.

    Does the VA have volunteer assignments, where support could emanate from my home? I am a Vietnam Era veteran, 74 years old, and a retired, information technology executive, business manager and consultant. Previously holding very senior, executive and project/program management positions with top-10 financial institutions, Big-4 accounting firms, and world-class consultancies.

    Please advise, if there’s an opportunity for me to assist. Thank you.

    • Retired Military July 29, 2021 at 11:32

      Please tell me you were being satirical when you typed, “…Please suggest that he take one step more and “order” ALL veterans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine regimen or lose benefits and access to VA facilities.”

      • Jim drish July 29, 2021 at 15:37

        Would you want to follow him into combat? Blind leading the sighted.

    • LaRhonda Rhay July 29, 2021 at 12:21

      May I consult you for telework suggestions?

    • Chris July 29, 2021 at 23:09

      Dan, first from one veteran to another, thank you for your service. It is this service and deploying in harms way when our country called upon us that earn us the title of veteran. With the title and the sacrifices comes benefits. The price was paid in places like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless other dangerous places and has nothing to do with getting vaccinated from COVID.

  22. Rocky McGill July 29, 2021 at 09:35

    Thursday, 29 July 2021

    Dear Madam/ Sir:

    Thank you…Ready To begin working.

    Respectfully yours,

    Rocky

  23. Melissa July 29, 2021 at 09:28

    When will there be a job fair fir Admin type jobs?

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:42

      Hello Melissa,

      Most of the positions are posted above but there are other positions that will be available……….management analyst positions are listed.

  24. Maria Patricia Manosalvas July 29, 2021 at 09:07

    Am I eligible to participate in this fair if I’m a spouse of a veteran?

    • Nate July 29, 2021 at 10:41

      Well considering it’s a job fair for VETERANS I would say it’s a bit disrespectful and selfish to take a job away from a veteran, I mean what did you do while he was deployed? Exactly, you didn’t earn the right to the job fair. Sorry but that’s my opinion

      • Another Nate July 29, 2021 at 12:05

        I would say it is more than a bit disrespectful for you to reply to a simple question with such ire. Some events include spouses and/or dependents, some don’t. It is a perfectly valid question.

      • Chris July 29, 2021 at 22:55

        Nate we never stop serving and representing our country as veterans. Please show the proper respect for the families that also sacrificed. I am retiring this month from the Army and over the last quarter of a century in uniform was called to deploy six time to combat zones. Each time I left my wife with all the responsibilities of running our house and raising our four children, all why she worried each day that I would not return home. Families serve and sacrifice for this nation also. The services would have a really hard time operating like they do without the sacrifices and countless volunteer hours of our military families. Bottom line, let’s honor all that serve and sacrifice for this great nation.

    • Jamshaid July 29, 2021 at 12:27

      Definitely! Please disregard any rude comments.

    • Tyler July 29, 2021 at 12:42

      My email mentioned Bridge My Return being open to spouses: https://news.va.gov/?s=bridge+my+return

  25. marcia adams July 29, 2021 at 08:58

    Are there jobs for the spouses of veterans

  26. Drew Clausen July 29, 2021 at 08:25

    the link to show job descriptions is not working. Also should allow a person to apply on line.

    My personal question is this I am an older person and have limited mobility now days
    Can a person with limited movement in the neck along with bad knees find a office job
    where there is no standing or lifting of weighted objects of major weights like in lower Managerial areas
    With a pay around $25.00 to $45.00 a hour or salary of over $80,000 a year!! Thanks Because this is the only
    reason I would quite my current job.

  27. Diane Crofford July 29, 2021 at 08:12

    Available positions for already retired veterans? Work from home positions?

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:43

      Hello Diane,

      Yes there will be some work from positions available especially with Maximus.

  28. Nicole G Robinson July 29, 2021 at 08:07

    Is it just for the Veteran or can the kids apply as well

    • Darlene Price July 29, 2021 at 09:45

      Are children of veterans eligible?

  29. Timothy Goulart DC July 28, 2021 at 23:39

    I would like to apply for a Chiropractor position.

  30. Brian Lippman July 28, 2021 at 22:57

    Looking for a job @ $25.00 an hour.

  31. Fred stroud July 28, 2021 at 21:54

    Are there any part time jobs available?

  32. james d walsh July 28, 2021 at 21:51

    Sounds like a good opportunity. But for those of us that work already but are looking to change careers, we can’t just take off from work. Since this is done over the internet, why not allow it to last until 8pm or so. This should not be for only those individuals that are unemployed. The job I have now is labor intensive. As I am getting older, a change would be welcome and highly appreciated in my life.

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:51

      Hello James,

      Anyone can attend and apply for the positions………if you want to change careers you are more then welcome to attend and apply. Also the booths will remain open (until August 2nd i believe); however, recruiters will not be in attendance after 3pm. I hope this answers your questions

  33. John E. Martinez July 28, 2021 at 21:33

    Where is this job fair at

  34. Claude V. Blackwell Jr. July 28, 2021 at 21:07

    Electronics Part Time….South Texas…… Work experience: USAF. AC&W Radar Repair, Electronic Tech. 1965 -1969……Schlumberger Well Services 1969 – 1998 General Electronic Tech. Retired . …. Baker Atlas. 2000 – 2008. General Electronic Tech. RETIRED

  35. RJ Bell July 28, 2021 at 20:59

    Hi, what if we can’t make this event?

    • Mary July 30, 2021 at 09:45

      Yes Fred there are parttime and fulltime positions available with our employers listed

  36. Leslie Aikens July 28, 2021 at 19:47

    Are there going to be any companies that hire felons available?

  37. Michael Lindhartsen July 28, 2021 at 19:29

    Looking forward to working with new people

  38. Richard Korkowski July 28, 2021 at 19:08

    Thanks for such a short notice. No time to get prepared and I’m not surprised. Privatize the VA!

    • Robert M Dean July 29, 2021 at 12:24

      I agree!

Comments are closed.

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