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 preparing for employment the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.
The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in numerous markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to address employing concerns, employment said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies including VERG, employment 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 learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional job 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 stated.
An elevator pitch is a «fast introduction 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 job fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about career chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential benefit of attending a task fair, employment as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
«We see that essentially every year,» he stated. «We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.»
Part of the education piece is discovering about finances, consisting of credit reports, 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, «but while you’re 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 – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.
«You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway,» he said.
That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.
«You require to go into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe stated.
He explained that guests should pinpoint the business they desire to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some employers. A senior employment infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.
