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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
«I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous markets, made it various 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, employers from state agencies were available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations 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 event, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.
To prepare 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 wanting to do,» Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist people discover profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that basically every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.»
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, referall.us budget plans and «constructing a nest egg 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 one day,» he stated, «but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?»
Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe said.
«You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,» he said.
That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.
«You require to enter into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.
He discussed that guests should determine the business they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.