Employment

Hampton Roads, with a 3.1% unemployment rate, has a broad and competitive job market within the military, municipalities, financial institutions and retail and service industries.

A few of Hampton Roads' major employers are: 

• Public school districts
• Bank of America
• GEICO
• Sentara Health Systems
• United Services Automobile Association
• Portsmouth Marine Terminal
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard
• Hampton Roads Transit

Many telemarketing companies and call centers for major companies call Hampton Roads home.

Virginia's minimum wage is $12.00. Some examples of current wages in the area are:

• Clerical: $9-$13 an hour. Bilingual skills, advanced computer skills and/or certification may command a higher hourly rate.
• Unskilled labor: $2.01-$8
• Teachers: $34,000-$63,000 per year
• Professional (white collar): $39,000-$67,000

The Virginia Employment Commission can provide further information on employment, as well as unemployment benefits. The VEC is pleased to provide you with easy access to workforce services for businesses, employers and citizens, job opportunities and labor market information in Virginia.

Job seeker services:

• Register for job services
• Resume builder, job-search tools and research employers
• Employment information on wage data and skill requirements, as well as industry and occupational trends
• Access to jobs posted on numerous websites

For more information on our services, visit the Virginia Workforce Connection website.

Regional Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resources

The mission of the Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resources is to administrate human resources programs for all serviced Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, NAF employees under the Fleet and Family Readiness Programs, Naval Support Activity Norfolk, to include: position classification, recruitment, staffing and compensation, employee and labor relations, unemployment and workers compensation, and implementation and standardization of NAF personnel policy. 

For more information about NAF employment opportunities onboard Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, visit the Virginia Workforce Connection website and look under quick links.

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council - Veterans Employment Center (HRVEC) is dedicated to unifying, serving, and connecting Military Spouses, Student Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and those who have served in the United States Military with actual helpful resources for employment, entrepreneurship, and support.

For more information on services provided, visit the HRVEC at www.theworkforcecouncil.org.

The Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Fleet and Family Support Center's Family Employment Readiness Program can assist eligible family members with job searches and career planning. Our Career Development Resource Center provides up-to-date job leads (on- and off-base opportunities), local college information and computers to assist in your job search.

FFSC Yorktown/Newport News offers the following employment classes:

• Effective resume writing -- These days, only a top-notch resume will get you an interview. Learn how to market your skills, knowledge, accomplishments and experience with an impressive resume. This single-session workshop includes tips on translating military terminology.
• Federal employment system -- In this single-session workshop, gain the advantage in your job search with the federal government by learning how to find vacancies and job listings, complete the application process and understand standard qualifications and testing requirements.
• Interviewing techniques -- Want to feel more confident at your next job interview? This workshop teaches you how. Topics include positive answers to difficult questions, dressing for success and the importance of body language and a positive attitude. Interview followup and salary negotiations are also discussed.
• Job search strategies -- Learn more about the crucial steps in the job search process. This workshop covers everything from assessing the hidden job market to finding a job long distance, as well as job searching on the internet. Many of the resources and services available to job seekers are also discussed, including major employers in the Hampton Roads area and the Virginia Employment Commission.

Another workshop offered by FFSC is on career planning. It is a three-hour class that includes self-assessment to help you make career choices based on life goals, personal skills, abilities, preferences and work values.

Employment specialists are available to provide individual consultations and mock interviews. Call
757-887-4606 (Yorktown) or 757-688-6289 (Newport News) for an appointment.

To start your job search off on the right foot, remember to hand carry all your employment records and information, references, resumes, federal resumes, transcripts, certificates and licenses.

If you're a civil service employee and are transferring with the service member, don't forget to bring your Notification of Personnel Action SF50.

For information regarding this program, you will need to contact your Command Career Counselor.

The Transition Assistance Program, a three-day workshop, is a mandatory Transition Core Curriculum Course for military members who are retiring or separating from the military. This course is managed and conducted by Naval Station Norfolk. The course is comprised of one day of Department of Defense training (pre-separation counseling, my transition overview, skills identification and financial planning for transition), a one-day Veterans Administration benefits and services brief, and a one-day Department of Labor employment fundamentals of career transition workshop.

TAP classes are held: Monday, 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Registration is Monday at 6:30 a.m.

See your command career counselor for a quota and to obtain workshop requirements that must be completed prior to attending TAP. For additional information, call 757-444-3522/6089 or fax
757-444-6095.

Spouses can contact the Navy college office at 887-838-1659 or the Educational Opportunity Center at 757-683-2312 Southside or 757-926-6107 Peninsula for updates and scholarship opportunities.

For information on My Career Advancement Account or military spouse education and career opportunities, visit Military OneSource.

Most military spouses are eligible to file an unemployment claim in Virginia as long as you meet the required 680 hours of covered employment. For information and questions regarding filing your first claim, contact the Virginia Employment Commission at 866-832-2363. For a complete list of the documents and information you need to file a claim, visit the Virginia Employment Commission website.

Keep in mind you may be initially considered ineligible for unemployment benefits and may have to file an appeal because you left your job voluntarily to accompany your service member. This is normal and most military spouses win the appeal.

The unemployment rate is normally at 3.1% however due to the current COVID-19 environment the rate can be as high as 12.1%.

The median household income is $57,041.