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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
«I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in different industries, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, employment it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and employment answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to answer employing 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 occasion, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, employment transition 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 get ready for them, «gown for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator employment pitch is a «fast intro 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 assist individuals find out about profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.
Education is a key benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that basically every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.»
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and «constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,» Handoe stated.
«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,» he stated, «however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?»
Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, employment seeing what people in the outside world are looking for employment – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their practices, Handoe stated.
«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the roadway,» he stated.
That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.
«You require to enter into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe stated.
He described that attendees need to determine the business they want to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with recruiters.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and employment talked with some employers. A senior information innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.