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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

„I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make sure 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 employment the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were offered to address hiring concerns, employment stated Frank Handoe, employment deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and employment Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; of Children, employment Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,“ stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 employment practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to help individuals discover about profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not ready to make that dive yet,“ or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

„We see that basically every year,“ he stated. „We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.“

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and „building 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 at some point,“ he said, „however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?“

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

„You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the road,“ he stated.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

„You need to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,“ Handoe said.

He described that participants should identify the companies they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior details innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.