JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s 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 job seekers, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state work, 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to respond to hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, dirkohlmeier.de 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 occasion, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 [empty] them, «gown 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 wanting to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist people find out about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not ready to make that dive yet,» or they have seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that generally every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an informed choice about their profession.»

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and «constructing a savings 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 at some point,» he stated, «however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering 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 consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that attendees need to identify the companies they wish to talk to and LMCHING la prairie skin caviar liquid lift serum research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with recruiters.

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