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 candidates, she attended an employing fair 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 needs 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 different industries, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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 job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, wp10476777.server-he.de 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 introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe said, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

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

Education is a key advantage of attending a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or akrs.ae they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, earlyyearsjob.com budget plans and “building a nest egg 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 someday,” he stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, sbstaffing4all.com seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and https://www.opad.biz/ finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You require to enter into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He explained that attendees need to pinpoint the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to enable for [empty] educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.