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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just attempt to take advantage 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 said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in different 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to address hiring questions, 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 opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, 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 pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,» Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to help people find out about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of attending a job reasonable, referall.us 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 readily available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and «developing 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 one day,» he stated, «but 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 outside world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the roadway,» he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that participants ought to identify the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.