More than 500 job seekers networked with employers at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Military Spouse Hiring Fair at the Pacific Views Event Center here Oct. 11.

The fair provided mentoring and training opportunities as well as resume help.

 “We have employers here that are specifically committed to hiring spouses,” said Noreen O’Neil, the director of operations for the Military Spouse Business Alliance of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The program has a wide variety of employers who attend their hiring fairs through the Marine Corps Community Services, the local Military Spouse Employment Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 “It’s very challenging for spouses when an employer looks at their resume. (Employers) see that they’ve moved around a lot,” said Lana Massimini, a career advisor with MCCS. “A lot of the employers don’t know the value of a military spouse.”

During a lightning storm, the power went out at the event center, but spouses nevertheless continued from employer to employer handing out resumes.

“The spouses didn’t skip a beat,” said O’Neil, who is married to an active-duty soldier. “As spouses, our level of resiliency is amazing. We are prepared for anything.”

Computers and printers were available to edit and improve resumes on site.

Spouses can also go to an MCCS employment office to get help designing their resumes, O’Neil said.

For more information on the services provided by MCCS, visit http://mccscp.com/family-member-employment or information about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Military Spouse Program, visit http://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes/military-spouse-program.