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 task seekers, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

« I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, referall.us 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 answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to respond to employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 out what sort of opportunities exist here outside 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 pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a « fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do, » Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

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

Education is a key advantage of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re « not all set to make that jump yet, » or they have seen the offered chances and decide 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 learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and « building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe stated.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later, » he said, « but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out? »

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, 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 desire to do in the future down the road, » he stated.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

« You need to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe stated.

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

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked with some employers. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.