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 job seekers, she attended 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 needs to offer, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor 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 www.elitistpro.com 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 learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back entrance, » stated Christopher Gentz, accountshunt.com transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, « dress for success, » bring your resume and janhelp.co.in practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a « quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking 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 people learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re « not ready to make that jump yet, » or they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

« We see that generally every year, » he stated. « 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, budget plans and « building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe said.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday, » he stated, « however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out? »

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

« You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road, » he stated.

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

« You require to enter into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around, » Handoe said.

He described that participants ought to pinpoint the they desire to speak with and research study them ahead of time, [empty] to enable educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.