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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of work in various 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were offered to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and referall.us 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 event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job 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 said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and 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 discovering financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “developing 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 at some point,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their practices, Handoe said.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that guests must determine the business they want to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke 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.