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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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 offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, made it various 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and answered . Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and decreases Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Hornyofficebabes.Com/Movies-Lesbian/ 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 chance to discover out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher 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 thematragroup.in pitch, Gentz stated.

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

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that essentially every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning about financial resources, including credit reports, budget 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 stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He discussed that attendees need to determine the companies they wish to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, jobs.kwintech.co.ke she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.