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 getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in different 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 agencies, employment who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, employment 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and employment practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe said, employment discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist people discover career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of 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 someday,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You require to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that guests ought to determine the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some employers. A senior information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.