JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
«I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in various markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and [empty] the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to address working with concerns, said Frank Handoe, hirerightskills.com deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and teachersconsultancy.com Families; Department of Social and www.opad.biz 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 learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion 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 stated.
An elevator pitch is a «fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,» Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s goals was to help individuals find out about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that generally every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an educated decision about their career.»
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, spending plans and «constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,» Handoe said.
«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,» he said, «however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?»
Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.
«You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,» he said.
That preparation work consists of getting ready for dessinateurs-projeteurs.com task fairs.
«You need to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.
He described that participants should pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some employers. A senior info innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.