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 preparing for the at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, [empty] she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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 provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, [empty] instead of employment in various markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to answer employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager 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 occasion, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion 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 stated.

An elevator pitch is a «fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,» Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not ready to make that dive yet,» or they have actually seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that basically every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.»

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and «constructing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,» Handoe stated.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,» he stated, «but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seedvertexnetwork.co.ke seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

«You require to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe said.

He explained that attendees ought to identify the companies they desire to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with recruiters.

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