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 employment the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

« I just try to take benefit 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 employment, employment instead of employment in numerous markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were offered to address hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including 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 chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance, » said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and employment Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, « dress for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a « quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do, » Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re « not prepared to make that jump yet, » or they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

« We see that basically every year, » he said. « We want them to make an informed choice about their career. »

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, budget plans and « building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe said.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point, » he stated, « but while you remain 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 outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and employment finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

« You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road, » he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for employment job fairs.

« You need to enter into a hiring reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe said.

He explained that attendees should pinpoint the companies they want to talk to and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior details with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.