Jessie Kang draws on her extensive HR experience to guide veterans at Hire Heroes USA and beyond, helping them navigate the complexities of civilian life. She understands these unique challenges firsthand because her husband, a 2006 Air Force retiree, faced similar obstacles while transitioning. Jessie empowers our clients with the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to thrive in the civilian workforce.
She began her journey with Hire Heroes USA five years ago during the COVID pandemic, as she looked for ways to continue her company’s culture of volunteerism.
“Throughout my 10-year career in HR, I’ve worked with many veterans who have struggled to return to civilian life. Joining Hire Heroes USA felt like the perfect opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to help those at critical crossroads in their careers.”
Jessie’s expertise is backed by certifications, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from the Society for Human Resource Management. As the Director of People Operations, her extensive background serves veterans well. Additionally, volunteering is second nature to Jessie. She has contributed her time to Meals on Wheels, organized food drives, and coached students for interviews. However, working with Hire Heroes USA remains her most meaningful
commitment.
Jessie helps our clients adapt and thrive, sharing insights from both sides of the hiring process: as a recruiter, interviewer, and hiring manager, as well as someone who has experienced the difficulties of finding employment while frequently relocating.
In a typical job-preparation session, she assists veterans in researching target industries, writing impactful resumes and cover letters, and mastering their interviewing skills through mock interviews.
Jessie emphasizes the importance of staying technologically savvy, encouraging veterans to leverage resources like YouTube tutorials and online courses. She advises them to be dependable and to focus on the strengths of others. She lives by the quote: “Be a humble learner and a generous teacher,” a principle she adopted from one of her former leaders.
Jessie’s counseling benefits veterans beyond job search tactics. For instance, she often helps veterans manage interview anxiety, reassuring them that nervousness is common for both the interviewee and interviewer. She consistently reinforces their strengths.
Hearing this reassurance from someone else helps veterans and spouses alike see the value of their unique skills. It’s okay to have a bad interview or not get chosen for the job. She encourages them to embrace opportunities outside their comfort zone, such as returning to school, applying for a promotion, or having that difficult conversation with a colleague.
Jessie’s sessions also focus on preparing clients to ask meaningful questions during interviews that reveal what it’s really like to work on a prospective team. Her wisdom teaches veterans to approach job research with the same rigor they’d bring to a professional role.
Beyond coaching veterans, she guides her staff on the Nexus Water Group Talent Acquisition team in veteran recruitment strategies:
“Knowing of a job opportunity or connecting veterans and military spouses with someone influential can make all the difference. I’ve also inspired several of my colleagues to volunteer at Hire Heroes USA.”
Seeing her clients succeed, by landing a job or feeling confident after an interview, brings Jessie immense satisfaction. One particularly memorable moment was when she connected a veteran applying for a technical position in the water industry with her company’s manager, who offered crucial technical advice.
Hire Heroes USA is grateful for Jessie’s dedication. She provides veterans with essential skills helping them “translate” their military experiences and find success in the civilian sector.
Written by: Sandy Chase