JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, employment 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 task candidates, she went to a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs 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 work in numerous markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift 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, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover out what kind 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 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, “dress 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 said, employment pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

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

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

“You require to enter 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 should pinpoint the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and employment consulted with some employers. A expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.