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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she went to a Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
«I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.
The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than work in numerous industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what type of chances exist here outside your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, referall.us transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.
To prepare for them, «dress 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 aiming to do,» Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s goals was to assist people learn about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is an essential advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re «not prepared to make that dive yet,» or they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that basically every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.»
Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budgets and «building 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 at some point,» he said, «but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?»
Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.
«You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the roadway,» he said.
That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.
«You need to go into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe stated.
He explained that participants should pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for educated discussions with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke to some recruiters. A senior info technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.
