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 candidates, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous industries, made it different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, employment employers from state firms were to answer employing concerns, 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; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
A quarterly event, employment the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, employment shift services manager for 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 «fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,» Handoe said, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover about profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re «not ready to make that dive yet,» or they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that essentially every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an informed choice about their profession.»
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and «constructing a savings 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 one day,» he stated, «however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?»
Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe stated.
«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,» he stated.
That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.
«You require to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe stated.
He described that attendees should pinpoint the companies they want to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with recruiters.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.