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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to respond to hiring questions, 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,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

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

Education is an essential benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or [empty] they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to work 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’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, linked web site seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,” he stated.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

“You require to enter into a working with reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that participants must determine the companies they desire to speak with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and Horny-Office-Babes consulted with some recruiters. A senior info technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.