Veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses looking for work will have a chance to meet with employers nationwide during the free National Virtual Veterans Career Fair on May 19.
The online event, hosted by Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary, will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central and is open to veterans, active-duty personnel, National Guard members, reservists, military spouses and dependents.
Organizers say more than 60 employers are expected to participate, representing industries ranging from logistics and construction to health care and administration.
The event comes as veteran unemployment remains relatively low nationally. According to RecruitMilitary, the veteran unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in April 2026.
Chris Newsome, senior vice president at RecruitMilitary and a U.S. Army veteran, said one of the biggest challenges veterans face is not necessarily a lack of qualifications, but translating military experience into a language that civilian employers and automated hiring systems recognize.
Newsome said veterans should tailor resumes toward the specific jobs and industries they are targeting, especially as more employers use applicant-tracking systems and AI screening tools to sort candidates before a human ever reviews the application.
He also encouraged veterans to prepare a short “elevator pitch” explaining who they are, what they did in the military and what kind of civilian role they are seeking.
RecruitMilitary’s own guidance describes an elevator pitch as a 30- to 60-second introduction that explains who a veteran is, what they did in the military, what value they bring to an employer and what next step they want from the conversation.
For veterans transitioning to civilian work, the organization recommends a four-part structure: a brief introduction, a clear statement of transferable skills, a detail that sets the candidate apart and a direct call to action, such as scheduling a follow-up conversation.
The guidance also urges veterans to strip out military jargon, tailor the pitch to the employer and practice until it sounds natural rather than rehearsed.
The virtual format, Newsome said, does not change the importance of preparation. He encouraged attendees to research participating companies in advance and approach the event with the same seriousness as an in-person interview, including dressing professionally in case conversations move to video.
Because some veterans may not have easy access to computers, Newsome said the event is designed to work across multiple devices, including smartphones.
RecruitMilitary said its broader mission is to connect members of the military community with meaningful employment opportunities through career placement services, veteran-focused job fairs and networking events nationwide.
The company said it hosted 112 events in 2025, welcoming roughly 40,000 attendees and connecting nearly 70,000 candidates with employers.
RecruitMilitary also partners with organizations such as DAV to help provide additional support services for veterans, including assistance with education, VA claims, benefits and mentorship.
Past attendees have used the virtual format to find work, including Veronica Medley, a military spouse and career counselor who turned to RecruitMilitary after her husband received permanent change-of-station orders.
Medley, whose parents are both Army veterans and whose husband is an Army staff sergeant, had often recommended RecruitMilitary’s resources to soldiers and spouses before using them herself. After attending a DAV/RecruitMilitary virtual career fair, she connected with a contractor who later contacted her for an interview, leading to job offers at both her current duty station and the installation where her family was moving.
Her advice to other transitioning service members and military spouses was to keep an open mind and stay ready, because a connection made during a career fair can lead to an opportunity later.
Newsome said employers continue to value veterans for qualities developed during military service, including adaptability, leadership and the ability to manage responsibilities in high-pressure environments. Many veterans already possess workplace skills employers often spend years trying to develop in civilian employees, RecruitMilitary argues.
At the same time, organizers said the focus is not simply on helping veterans find jobs, but helping them build long-term careers and improve their professional standing after leaving military service.
Registration for the National Virtual Veterans Career Fair is free through RecruitMilitary and DAV. You can download the event’s flyer here.
Read the full article here