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 job candidates, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply 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 began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to answer hiring concerns, said 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 sort of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 get ready for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator referall.us pitch, Gentz said.

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

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn more about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, budgets and “constructing a savings so you have something to work 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’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that guests must determine the companies they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

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