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 hunters, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were offered to answer employing questions, employment said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; 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 opportunity to find out what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 “quick introduction 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.

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

Education is a key benefit of going to a job reasonable, 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 available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, employment consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a nest egg 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 someday,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, employment accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

“You need to enter into a working with reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He described that guests need to identify the companies they want to speak to and research them ahead of time, to enable for educated discussions with employers.

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