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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities 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 make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous industries, 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 employment responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to address working with questions, employment stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor employment for employment the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; 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 outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for employment the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting 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 assist people learn more about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or employment they have seen the readily available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “constructing 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 stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He described that participants should determine the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior employment info innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.