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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply to make certain 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 installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were offered to answer working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, referall.us 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 discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of attending a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that essentially every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal 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 remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You require to go into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.

He described that participants ought to pinpoint the business they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.