JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, she went to a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various industries, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to address working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of .

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, «gown for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a «fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,» Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals find out about profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not all set to make that dive yet,» or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that generally every year,» he stated. «We want them to make an informed choice about their profession.»

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budgets and «constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,» Handoe stated.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,» he stated, «however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.

«You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,» he stated.

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

«You require to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.

He explained that attendees should determine the business they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some employers. A senior information technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, employment she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.