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 job the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, job she attended a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession 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 needs to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and job the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and job responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, job 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 find out what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Gentz, transition services manager 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, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

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

Education is a key advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have 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 educated choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, job including credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

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

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that participants must determine the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and consulted with some employers. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.