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, employment and she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

« I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, made it different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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, employment Community Services Division; and employment Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 get ready for them, « gown for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator employment pitch, Gentz stated.

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

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

Education is a key advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re « not ready to make that dive yet, » or they have actually seen the available chances and employment decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and « developing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe stated.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later, » he said, « but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out? »

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

« You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road, » he said.

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

« You require to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe stated.

He discussed that guests must identify the companies they desire to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable for educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.