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, employment and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure 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 employment the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, employment who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to answer employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services 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, employment 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 opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, employment July 10 and Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming 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 discover profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that guests should determine the companies they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.