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 preparing for employment the transition at Joint Base .

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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 needs to use, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various 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 firms, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, 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, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, employment the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare 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 wanting to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

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

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

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets 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 at some point,” 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 outside world are trying to find – including accreditations, employment accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

“You need to go into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He described that participants need to pinpoint the companies they desire to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.