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 candidates, she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in various industries, made it different than others on the installation. 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 responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to answer working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and employment Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, employment Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare for employment 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 skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to assist individuals find out about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or employment they have actually seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “constructing a nest egg 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 someday,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out 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 road,” he stated.

That prep work consists of getting ready for employment task fairs.

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

He explained that attendees must pinpoint the companies they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.