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 hunters, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous industries, 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, employers from state firms were readily available to address employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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 occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn 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 get ready for employment them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and employment practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to help people discover about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a nest egg 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 sooner or later,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

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

He explained that attendees must pinpoint the business they desire to speak with and research them ahead of time, to allow for informed conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.