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 getting ready for the shift at Joint Base .

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various industries, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were offered to address employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about profession chances and employment how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, 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 someday,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

“You require 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 described that participants need to pinpoint the business they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior information technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.