Career Building with Harbor Freight Tools PHOTO COURTESY OF LEAH ELY “I am more confident, decisive, and organized due to the challenges and training presented to me in the Army,” said Leah Ely, U.S. Army Reserve executive officer and associate merchant at Harbor Freight. Harbor Freight doesn’t just sell tools, they build careers. With over 40 years in business, they continue to be a family-owned company with a people-first cul-ture. Their mission is to be America’s lead-ing provider of high-quality tools at the lowest prices available. The organization was recognized by Forbes as the #1 Em-ployer for Veterans in Retail for 2021 and as the #1 Employer for Veterans in 2020. As a member of the merchandising team for power tools at Harbor Freight, Ely bal-ances her civilian career with her continued military duty with the Army Reserve. Being a platoon leader/executive officer in the Reserve means that her Army obligations are not isolated to one weekend a month. After two years in the University of Southern California’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, Ely accepted an internship with Harbor Freight that even-tually turned into her first civilian career. When her military training mission was canceled several months before Ely was has become the leading discount tool retailer in the U.S. with over: ■ Harbor Freight 20 Million Satisfied Customers 1,250 Stores Nationwide 24,000 Happy Associates ■ ■ LEAH ELY What was your favorite part of being in the military? LE: There are a lot of great aspects about being in the military, but the community and the challenges that force me to be a better leader are my favorite parts. I have met so many wonderful people through the Army who have made a big difference in my life. What advice do you have for transition-ing servicemembers? LE: Find a community in the civilian sector as soon as possible. Surrounding yourself with the right people is the best way to prepare for a smooth transition out of the military. We also offer some of the best benefits in the industry. Our part-time and full-time Associates across our stores, distribution centers, and headquarters enjoy competitive pay, medical perks, and growth opportunities. “The leadership at HFT has gone above and beyond making sure that I have everything I need to be successful in my position.” – LEAH ELY slotted to start her new role, she found support and flexibility in her new lead-ership team at Harbor Freight. Through their help, Ely was able begin her new role much earlier than anticipated. The leadership and ability to effectively manage time that Ely has gained through her military service have set her up for success in her role with Harbor Freight. Ely recently shared her experience as a part of the Harbor Freight Tools (HFT) team while still a member of the Army Reserve. 30 | SEARCH & EMPLOY ® MARCH+APRIL 2022 What do you enjoy most about your role at Harbor Freight? LE: I love that HFT is a company that truly strives to improve itself every day. I have seen it undergo major changes not only for my own hiring process but also to make life better for its associates in general. You can tell that the company leadership really care about their HFT family. Why should veterans consider a career with Harbor Freight? LE: The leadership at HFT has gone above and beyond making sure that I have everything I need to be successful in my position. In addition, the team mem-bers are all so helpful and easy to work with, and I am learning more about the industry than I ever thought possible at one job. I have many responsibilities and, because of that, the work is anything but mundane. For more information about careers at Harbor Freight, visit www.HFJobs.com. JOB BOARD | RECRUITMILITARY.COM/JOBS How do the skills you learned in the mili-tary influence your current role? LE: The military emphasizes asking questions, making informed decisions based on the situation, and the principle of “trust, but verify.” These traits have helped me transition into my position at Harbor Freight, as I feel confident asking for clarification on projects and circling back on group tasks. I am more confident as an associate in how I interact with col-leagues because of what I’ve learned in the military.