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 attended an employing fair 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 needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous industries, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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 employment Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated 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 prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator employment pitch, Gentz stated.

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

One of the job fair’s goals was to help individuals discover about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their working with practices, employment Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He explained that guests should pinpoint the business they wish to talk to and research them ahead of time, employment to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

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