MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- A portion of what the job market has to offer for departing servicemembers was put on display during Career Fair '04 at the Miramar Officers' Club here Jan. 21.

Approximately 70 companies were represented at the event ready to hire the right person for the job, according to Bob Leeds, Family Member Employment Assistance Program Manager, Marine Corps Community Services. Service-members, spouses and retirees were given the opportunity to talk with representatives from different companies and provide resumes that might land the job that works for them.

"Within those companies, they probably have thousands of job opportunities," Leeds explained. "We try and target everybody. You will see a little bit of everything here."

The reason to attend a job fair should not just be about giving a resume, but to have the opportunity to talk to company representatives with the possibility of being hired on the spot, Leeds said. He suggested that job seekers talk to them first, find what they are looking for, and express the kind skills and experiences they have that would fit within their company.

"Hopefully in the process of the conversation you will actually give them your resume," he explained. "You have somebody who is either a recruiter for the company, somebody who works out of the human resources office, or somebody who is the actual hiring supervisor. They will literally do a mini-interview and hire you on-the-spot."

Cpl. Sam Lopez, early warning control operator, Marine Air Control Squadron 1, has intentions of leaving the Marine Corps within the next four months, and he attended the fair with hope of having  an idea where he might be working next.

"There is a lot of good information available here. There is a lot of stuff people can take advantage of such as Express Personnel Services, who actually find jobs for you," said the 21-year-old Visalia, Calif., native. "No matter what, you can always get something here."

There are plenty of opportunities for people to attend the fair as it is conducted three times a year, according to Leeds. He said several companies are represented every year while others are rotated out with other companies looking for employees to work for them.

"The career fairs here are always excellent," said Bonnie Apple, Express Personnel Services recruiter and spouse of a retired Marine colonel. "Our company supports what you all do here. We have a real heart to get servicemembers as they are leaving the service because that transition can be very difficult. That's where our heart is - to really help these people."

In addition to the career fair, the Career Resource Center here offers information and assistance to aid military servicemembers, retirees, veterans, DoD civilian employees and their family members in their career planning and job search, according to Leeds.

The two primary programs at the center are Transition Assistance and Family Member Employment Assistance. The center includes representatives from Disabled American Veterans, Veteran's Affairs, and California EDD. Leeds said it provides a variety of resources such as employment workshops, computer programs, Internet access, a reference library and job listings that are updated daily, as well as a friendly and helpful staff to assist and answer any questions.

For more information on the Career Fair or for a listing of attendees and their Web site, stop by the Career Resource Center located in building 5305 or visit their Web site at www.mccsmiramar.com/careerresource.html.