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 employment the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

«I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in different industries, employment made it various 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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, Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover out what type of chances exist here outside your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job 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 employment practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task fair, employment as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re «not ready to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered 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 finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and «building a nest egg 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’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for employment — consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling — and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe said.

«You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,» he said.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

«You need to enter into an employing reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.

He discussed that attendees ought to identify the business they desire to speak to and research them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, employment she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.