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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

„I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, employment who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were offered to address employing concerns, employment 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 employment 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 task fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door,“ said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 prepare for them, „dress for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the task fair’s goals was to help people learn about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

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

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

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and „building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,“ Handoe said.

„Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,“ he said, „but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?“

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for employment task fairs.

„You need to go into a working with reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,“ Handoe said.

He explained that guests must identify the business they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior details innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.