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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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

«I just attempt 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 different industries, made it different than others on the setup. 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 employment responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to address working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 employment Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,» stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor employment for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, employment July 10 and Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, «gown for success,» bring your resume and employment practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to help people find out about career chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial 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 chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that basically every year,» he stated. «We want them to make an educated decision about their profession.»

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and «building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,» Handoe said.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,» he said, «however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

«You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,» he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

«You need to go into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe stated.

He discussed that participants should pinpoint the business they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and consulted with some recruiters. A senior employment information technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.