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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

“I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in different markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to address hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for employment 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 stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, employment Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that essentially every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

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

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

That prep work consists of preparing for .

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

He explained that guests ought to pinpoint the companies they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, to permit for employment educated conversations with employers.

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