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 she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

„I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than work in various markets, made it various 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 firms, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to respond to working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 job fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for job 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, „dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a „quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to help about career chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re „not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and job decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

„We see that basically every year,” he stated. „We desire 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 „constructing a nest egg 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 get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for job task fairs.

„You need to go into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.

He explained that participants should pinpoint the companies they desire to speak to and research them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some employers. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.