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

« I simply attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in numerous 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 addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 job fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of opportunities exist here outside your back door, » stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and « constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe said.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday, » he said, « 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, employment seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

« You require 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 participants ought to identify the companies they desire to speak to and research them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, employment she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.