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 went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply 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 task fair on state work, instead of employment in numerous 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 addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 prepare 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 aiming to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to assist individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he said, “however while you remain 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 outside world are looking for referall.us – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

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

He discussed that guests need to determine the business they desire to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.