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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in different 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 addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to answer employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, job shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist people discover about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a job fair, 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 opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and learning about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the roadway,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You need to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He described that attendees need to identify the business they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for educated conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior info innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.