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

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

“I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to make certain 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 started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor employment for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and employment 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 chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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 employment pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals learn more about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That preparation work includes preparing for employment task fairs.

“You require to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

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

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