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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 the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

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

Informational tables represented organizations including 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 event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort 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 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

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

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals learn about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “developing 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 at some point,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their hiring 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 preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He described that guests ought to identify the companies they want to consult with and referall.us research study them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.