JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and [empty] she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous markets, made it various than others on the setup. 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to respond to hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, inquiry 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, thematragroup.in Community Services Division; and jobs.constructionproject360.com Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 prepare for them, “dress 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 seeking to do,” Handoe stated, 64.227.136.170 pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg 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 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 assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the roadway,” he said.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that attendees need to pinpoint the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked with some employers. A senior details innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.