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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 use, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, employment it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of chances exist here outside your back entrance, » said Christopher Gentz, employment transition services for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs 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 practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a « fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do, » Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to assist people discover career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job 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 actually seen the offered chances and employment choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budgets and « building a nest egg 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 at some point, » he said, « however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out? »

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

« You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway, » he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.

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

He discussed that attendees must determine the business they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior employment info technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, employment she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.