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 hunters, akinsemployment.ca she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities 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 use, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous 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 responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to respond to working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

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

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” stated 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 pitch, Gentz said.

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

One of the task fair’s goals was to help people discover about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and [empty] decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “building a nest egg 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 sooner or later,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

“You need to enter 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 attendees ought to pinpoint the business they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.