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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

« I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than work in numerous industries, celest-interim.fr 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door, » stated Christopher Gentz, dirkohlmeier.de transition services supervisor 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, « dress for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist people learn more about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

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

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and « building a savings 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 sooner or later, » he said, « but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out? »

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of certifications, [empty] accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.

« You need to go into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around, » Handoe stated.

He explained that participants must pinpoint the business they wish to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior https://teachersconsultancy.com/ infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, horizonsmaroc.com she has she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.