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 employment the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she went to a hiring reasonable 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 job fair on state employment, rather than employment in different industries, made it different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to address employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, employment shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

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

An elevator pitch is a « quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do, » Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people discover career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re « not prepared to make that dive yet, » or employment they have actually seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, budget plans and « building a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe said.

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

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and employment finding out about their working with practices, 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 consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He that participants need to pinpoint the companies they want to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.