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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to benefit from 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 work, instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and employment answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state were available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor employment for employment 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 event, employment the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 employment pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover about career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, budgets and “constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and employment learning about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that guests must pinpoint the business they wish to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.