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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, made it different 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were offered to address hiring 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 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 discover what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional 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 [empty] practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people find out about profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

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

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

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a savings 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 sooner or later,” he said, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, jobs.salaseloffshore.com Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for [empty] task fairs.

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

He described that participants need to determine the companies they desire to speak with and research them ahead of time, akrs.ae to enable educated discussions with recruiters.

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