June 28, 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS
Northern Virginia Workforce Network - June
June 28th | 2-3PM
Greater Washington Apprentice Network - July
July 5th | 2-3PM
New Member Orientation
July 12th |12-1PM
Young Professionals Meet Up
July 12th | 4-6PM
partner program
GovCon Transition Boot Camp - Part 1 of a Series
July 22nd
Save the Date
2022 Annual State of Transportation
September 1st | 8:30-10:30AM
Save the Date
Distinguished Service Awards
September 13th | 7:30-10:30AM
MEMBER BLOG POST
Navigating pandemic-era resume gaps: asking the right questions to build the best team
The following Member Q&A Blog Post is the result of a discussion between Chamber members, Kathy Albarado, CEO, Helios HR, and Dustin Siggins, Founder, Proven Media Solutions.
For more than 50 years, a year-long resume gap was a clear red mark against a job applicant. Except for stay-at-home parents or applicants who went back to school, there really wasn’t much sympathy from an employer, even in recessions. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all that. One or two years out of work is the temporary new normal as the economy rebounds from whole industries being shut down, and uneven recoveries thanks to supply-chain issues, unemployment insurance provisions, and The Great Resignation’s new opportunities. But many employers are still stuck in old mindsets – mindsets that could cause them to miss out on great staff and better growth.

1. How should employers react to an applicant who seems qualified, but whose resume has a lengthy pandemic-era gap? Given the recruitment and retention challenges that face many employers today, if the candidate has the required skills, and is otherwise a candidate of interest, reach out to the candidate to have a conversation. Don’t immediately discount anyone for employment gaps without having a conversation.

2. When reaching out to said applicant, what should be the hiring manager's strategic mindset to gain information about the reason for the gap? A mindset of seek first to understand. Employers need to be open and empathetic to the fact that the pandemic created... 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Sec. Slater Describes Ambitious Workforce Development Work Ahead for Youngkin Administration
Virginia Labor Secretary Bryan Slater on June 14th described the ambitious tasks the Youngkin Administration has prioritized to improve the workforce development ecosystem in the Commonwealth. Sec. Slater was speaking at the Chamber’s Annual Capital Region Workforce Summit at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Campus in Falls Church.

Sec. Slater listed the vast ecosystem in the Commonwealth including “over 250 training providers [and] over 1500 training programs,” and recognized that even with so many training and development opportunities “ … we’re still 200,000 jobs short of where we were before the pandemic. 

“What we really need to do is optimize our workforce training and maximize our potential,” Sec. Slater said. “We are not reaching the people we need to reach to the maximum extent possible. We need an action plan to fulfill the purpose. This should include: forming and implementing a strategic plan, streamlining and optimizing what we do, strengthen our public-private partnerships, break down silos, [and] collaborate rather than compete with each other.”
Chamber Members Named to Washington Post's Top Workplaces 2022
Please join us in congratulating our members who have been named to the Washington Post's Top Workplaces 2022: Great American Restaurants; Navy Federal Credit Union; Capital; One Financial Corp.; CGI; Sandy Spring Bank; Deltek; Noblis; JBG Smith; Northwest Federal Credit Union; Aronson; Dev Technology; Aptive Resources; Amyx; IntelliDyne; and Thundercat Technology.
Submit your goodwill stories by July 8th for our Positively NOVA! Summer Issue
Our Chamber member community has proven its generosity time and again through donations and give-back efforts, and we want to showcase that good work in both our upcoming Positively NOVA! summer edition and our website. Help us spread goodwill vibes by letting us share your member story with the world! Send a 2-3 paragraph write-up, at least one photo from the effort, and your logo to communications@novachamber.org by July 8th for inclusion in this special issue.
IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL
UPCOMING EVENTS
Vaccination Requirement: Upon review of both the CDC guidance on community levels of COVID-19 and its website listings showing our own Northen Virginia counties' positive case percentages, the Chamber has removed its proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Additionally, the Chamber will no longer require masks be worn. You are welcome to wear a mask if that makes you comfortable. 
 
As always, if you are sick or feel you are getting sick, we ask that you please stay home.
 
The Chamber will continue to follow COVID-19 guidance from local health departments and the CDC for in person events.
Northern Virginia Workforce Network - June
June 28th | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free
Are you interested in finding innovative solutions to our region’s workforce challenges? Please join us for the inaugural meeting of the NOVA Workforce Network on June 28th. The NOVA Workforce Network is an inclusive and collaborative community of workforce professionals and others interested in workforce innovation. Monthly meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of each month. All are welcome to attend.
Greater Washington Apprentice Network - July
July 5th | 2-3PM | Virtual, Free
The Greater Washington Apprentice Network (GWAN) brings together employers, academic institutions, public and private sectors. Employers gain access to best practices from organizational peers, sources of prospective apprentice candidates, support services, academic institutions, and training resources. The GWAN meets on the first Tuesday of each month for an Employer Briefing.
New Member Orientation
July 12th | 12-1PM | Virtual, Free
This informational networking session will teach you about opportunities for engagement across a wide array of industries and subject areas. You'll learn:
  • How you can engage a broad spectrum of employees
  • How the Chamber's advocacy efforts and communications can support your business
  • The best ways for you to connect to the Chamber's base of innovative and influential member companies
and much more. This will be a great opportunity to network with other new members. This is a virtual event and will be provided through Microsoft TEAMS.
Young Professionals Meet Up
July 12th | 4-6PM | Patsy's American
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you to the first meet-up specifically for our business community's Young Professionals. Join us for happy hour at Patsy's American at the Bar in the Back.

*Registration is free with snacks provided. Cash bar.
partner program
GovCon Transition Boot Camp
July 22nd | Part 1 of Series
Looking toward your company graduating from 8(a) status? Join this exciting new cohort for GovCon CEOs who are transitioning from small to large and learn from leaders whose companies have successfully made the transition. We will help you created your graduation plan based on insight from CEO peers and facilitated by Newport Consultants. The cohort will meet one morning each month over a 6-month period. Space is limited to 15 companies.
KEEP CURRENT WITH
MEMBER NEWS
Come join The St. James for its Fall Golf Classic on Friday, September 23rd at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, VA. In a partnership with First Tee Greater Washington DC, the proceeds of our TSJ Fall Golf Classic will support programming for participants in the First Tee Greater Washington DC program at The St. James. Sponsorship packages available. Learn more here.

Don't miss BDO's Government Contracting Webinar Series. This month, BDO's government contracting professionals will be breaking down the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) requirements. The webinar will take place on July 20th at 12PM. CPE credit will be available. Click here to register. 

Amyx welcomes Christy Mee as Vice President, Federal Civilian Programs and Todd Reynolds as the Director of Strategy. Combined, Christy and Todd bring over 45 years of experience at small, medium and large companies across key agencies that comprise a major portion of Amyx’s opportunity pipeline.
Would you like to include your member organization's news in our next Doing Business issue? Sharing news is free for all members! All you have to do it complete the form on our website found here. The deadline to submit news is Friday at 12PM prior to our Tuesday newsletter.
Doing Business is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter focused on member-relevant news, Council Series updates, and upcoming events. Each month we will feature advocacy updates, a message from our President & CEO, and member-written blog posts. Subscription sign-up and past issues may be found on our website.
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
7900 Westpark Drive | Suite A550 | Tysons Corner | VA | 22102