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 for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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 certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

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

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, employment 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 occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, employment July 10 and employment 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 seeking to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help people find out about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, employment including credit reports, budgets and “building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering about their working with practices, employment Handoe stated.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

“You require to go into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He described that guests need to pinpoint the companies they want to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked with some recruiters. A senior info technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.