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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous industries, made it different than others on the installation. 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, employers from state agencies were available to answer employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services 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 discover out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare for them, «gown for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro 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 task fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not all set to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that generally every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an informed decision about their career.»

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

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,» he said, «but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He explained that participants ought to pinpoint the business they wish to speak with and referall.us research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.