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 task seekers, she participated in a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

„I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, 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 different markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to address hiring 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 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 chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,“ said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager 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 employment them, „dress 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 aiming to do,“ Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist people discover profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not ready to make that dive yet,“ or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

„We see that generally every year,“ he said. „We want them to make an educated choice about their career.“

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, budgets and „building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,“ Handoe stated.

„Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,“ he said, „but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?“

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe said.

„You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,“ he stated.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

„You need to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,“ Handoe stated.

He described that attendees should determine the companies they wish to speak to 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 employers. A senior details innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.