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 employment the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

« I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, made it various 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 companies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to address employing questions, employment stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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, Youth and employment Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back door, » stated Christopher Gentz, 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 practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the task fair’s goals was to help individuals discover about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a job reasonable, employment as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re « not ready to make that jump yet, » or employment they have seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

« We see that essentially every year, » he stated. « We desire them to make an educated decision about their career. »

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and « developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe stated.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day, » he said, « however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out? »

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for employment – including certifications, employment accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

« You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the roadway, » he stated.

That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.

« You need to enter into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around, » Handoe said.

He explained that participants ought to determine the companies they want to talk with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.