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 applicants, she participated in a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession 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 needs to offer, just to make certain 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 various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to respond to working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 event, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what kind of chances exist here outside your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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, «dress for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator pitch is a «fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,» Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a key advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not all set to make that dive yet,» or they have seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.
«We see that generally every year,» he said. «We want them to make an educated decision about their career.»
Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and «constructing a nest egg 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, «but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?»
Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning about their employing practices, Handoe stated.
«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,» he stated.
That prep work includes getting ready for referall.us job 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 said.
He explained that attendees must determine the companies they want to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some employers. A senior details technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.