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

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

« I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to answer employing questions, said Frank Handoe, employment deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, employment 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 Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, employment transition services manager 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 prepare for them, « gown 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 stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re « not all set to make that dive yet, » or employment they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

« We see that generally every year, » he said. « We want them to make an educated choice about their profession. »

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 one day, » he stated, « but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out? »

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

« You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the roadway, » he said.

That preparation work consists of preparing for task fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to pinpoint the business they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked to some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.