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 task hunters, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous industries, made it various 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 answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to respond to hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 employment 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 type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, employment Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the readily available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

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

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He discussed that participants ought to identify the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.