Veterans Day 2021 – Thank You Veterans!

On Veterans Day we recognize and honor the generations of brave Americans who have served our country. THANK YOU!

NW Staffing Resources and Resource Staffing Group are proud to hire United States Military, Active Reservists, and Veterans. These individuals have proven their ability to learn new skills and concepts quickly. In addition, they enter the workforce with identifiable and transferable skills, proven in real-world situations. We are proud to hire military-to-civilian as it allows us to give them a helping hand to repay them for their service and sacrifice.

We had the opportunity to speak with NW Staffing associates and Veterans Jeff Stein, Shaqualia Smith, Vincent Cooper, Steven Culp, and Kari Metcalfe, and our very own Resource Staffing Group Sacramento Branch Manager Wendie Richards, a veteran of the US Navy, and Sacramento Recruiter Eric Hopwood, a veteran of the US Air Force, about their service and how it impacts the work they do today.

What motivated you to join the military?

Jeff: School and the comradery of being a soldier. I also wanted to see other places around the world.

Shaqualia: My children motivated me to join the military. Providing them with a better quality of life and great benefits were extremely important to me.

Vincent: What motivated me to join the military was to serve this country and maintain our freedoms.

Steven: What motivated me was change in my life and to be part of something bigger. I was struggling to find a job and living at my parents’ house so I decided to drastically change my life for the better.

Kari: Both my parents served. My grandfather was a West Point graduate and I grew up outside Camp Bonneville here in Vancouver. Tanks rolling by and helicopters rattling dishes in the cupboards was a normal occurrence for me. I was adventurous, so why not?

Wendie: I come from a strong military family as my father served in the US Marines and my two brothers retired from the US Army, along with my sister who served in the US Army and is now active in the Air Force. When I joined the US Navy in 1995, I was in the delayed entry program as I joined when I was 17 years old. To be able to serve my country and follow the footsteps of my family was all the motivation I needed.

Eric: I was motivated to join the military to do something that was bigger than myself and where I could make a difference on a global level.

What job did NW Staffing / Resource Staffing Group place you on, and what role does your military experience play in your approach to that position?

Jeff: I am the logistics and service manager for my company. My logistics background from the military has really helped me in my current position with organization and inventory responsibilities.

Shaqualia: NW Staffing matched me with a job as an eviction prevention specialist which as a logistics specialist in the US Army for all my years I was able to apply my passion for helping people and office skills all in one. Which has been a perfect fit for me!

Vincent: The position that NW Staffing matched me with, The Event Staff with the Historic Trust worked well for my age and discipline and procedure from the military helps me approach things more easily.

Steven: I was selected for my job with Vancouver Safe Park Program and that went through NW Staffing. I do think my military career has helped me in this position at Safe Park in the fact that most people respect me for my service and it has allowed me to be assertive when I need to be and vigilant on what’s going on here at Safe Park.

Kari: I would say my role in the military taught me about other cultures, diversity and working in a team. All for one and one for all. Your work group no matter where you are and what you do is an extended family.

Wendie: I have worked for Resource Staffing Group for the past 16 years and what I enjoy most is being able to work with those that have served and are transitioning to civilian life, and help them find employment. I truly enjoy being able to assist individuals with resume writing, coaching Veterans/Reservists for job interviews and being able to connect with those that have served too.

Eric: Becoming a recruiter for Resource Staffing Group, I am able to utilize a wide variety of skills I learned in the US Air Force. During my time as an Aircraft Mechanic, I learned the value of hard work and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Most recently as an EEO Investigator, I was able to hone in on my interpersonal communication skills by defusing and resolving personal conflicts at all levels of command.

What’s some of the best advice you’ve received about work?

Jeff: Show up on time.

Shaqualia: No one has all the answers. It takes teamwork to make the dream work. Never be afraid to ask or take advice from anyone.

Vincent: Approach situations with an open mind and try different solutions to every problem that may occur.

Steven: I’m not sure about advice but I have been told that I have people skills that you can’t teach – you either have them or you don’t, and that was really a great compliment.

Kari: Be open to new adventures and don’t box yourself into a title or a role. Transferable skill sets are not just those you learn from formal education or books. Second, avoid office drama like the plague. Don’t be afraid to politely remove yourself when confronted with it.

Wendie: It’s rather simple and I preach it frequently- work hard and play harder! I am a strong believer in going all out, getting the job done and celebrating those efforts at the end. My father is a retired Sheriff and I am thankful for the discipline and work ethic that he instilled in me.

Eric: The best advice I’ve received is to take each day as it comes and “roll with the punches” because you can’t change what is out of your control.

From all of us at NW Staffing and Resource Staffing Group, thank you Jeff, Shaqualia, Vincent, Steven, Kari, Wendie, and Eric for your service and for sharing your experience with us!

If you are currently serving or have served, we thank you! We would love to partner with you in your employment search. Send us a text or give us a call today to speak with a recruiter and get the conversation started. Contact us