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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 certain I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to address working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for employment 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 occasion, the job fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,“ stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To get ready for employment them, „dress for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator employment pitch, Gentz stated.

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

One of the task fair’s goals was to help people discover profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not ready to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and „constructing 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’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?“

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that participants must identify the companies they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with recruiters.

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