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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

„I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to respond to hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 occasion, the job fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To get ready for them, „dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the task fair’s goals was to assist people discover profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

„We see that essentially every year,” he said. „We want them to make an educated decision 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 get out,” Handoe said.

„Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he stated, „however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe said.

„You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the road,” he stated.

That preparation work consists of preparing for referall.us job fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to identify the companies they wish to talk to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.