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 employment the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

„I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work in various markets, employment made it different 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, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to answer working with concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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 task fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of opportunities 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 occasion 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 aiming to do,“ Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals learn more about career chances and employment how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not prepared to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, employment spending plans and „constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get 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 assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for employment – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

„You need to go into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,“ Handoe said.

He discussed that guests ought to pinpoint the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and employment consulted with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.