JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

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

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she participated in a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in various markets, 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 employment responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to respond to hiring questions, said 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that essentially every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budgets and “developing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he said, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

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

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,” he said.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You need to go into a hiring reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He discussed that attendees must pinpoint the business they desire to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and employment talked to some recruiters. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.