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

„I simply try to benefit from 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 stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various industries, made it various 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 addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 discover out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,“ stated 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 them, „gown for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to help individuals discover career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re „not all set to make that jump yet,“ or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

„We see that essentially every year,“ he stated. „We desire them to make an informed decision 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 someday,“ he stated, „but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?“

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

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

That prep work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to identify the companies they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.