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 job candidates, employment she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of 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 said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, made it various 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were offered to answer hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and employment 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 employment Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what sort of chances exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals find out about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending 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 actually seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning about financial resources, including credit reports, employment spending plans and “constructing a nest egg 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, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for employment – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, employment Handoe said.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

“You need to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.

He explained that guests should identify the business they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and employment talked with some employers. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.