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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, referall.us she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in numerous industries, made it different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including 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 occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

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

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task reasonable, 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 offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “building a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“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 get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

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