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 transition 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 profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in different markets, made it various 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to address employing concerns, stated 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 occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the goals was to assist people discover career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that essentially every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and studentvolunteers.us education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that attendees ought to identify the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked with some employers. A senior details innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.