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

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she participated in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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 offer, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.

The focus of the on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to answer working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and employment 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 task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities 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 event 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 pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a « quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do, » Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re « not ready to make that dive yet, » or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

« We see that essentially every year, » he stated. « We want them to make an educated choice about their career. »

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, budgets 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 one day, » he said, « but while you remain 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 looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

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

He discussed that guests ought to identify the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.