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 task candidates, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt 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 said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in different industries, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, [empty] who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, grainfather.de recruiters from state firms were offered to address working with concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Program; Department of Children, hireblitz.com Youth and Families; Department of Social and Other Loans 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 learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, linked web site transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, theboss.wesupportrajini.com July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

One of the task fair’s goals was to help individuals find out about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

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

“We see that basically 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, spending plans and “building 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 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 trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that attendees ought to determine the business they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some employers. A senior info innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.