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 task hunters, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in numerous markets, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and employment 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, employment the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment 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, «gown for success,» bring your resume and employment 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, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people find out about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a job fair, employment as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not ready to make that jump yet,» or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and employment choose to continue serving, employment Gentz stated.

«We see that generally every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.»

Part of the education piece is discovering about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and «constructing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,» .

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,» he said, «however 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 looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

«You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the roadway,» he said.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

«You require to enter into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe stated.

He described that participants must identify the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.