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 employment she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and employment addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor employment for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including 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 event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, employment July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for employment them, “dress 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 looking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist people learn more about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budgets and “building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the road,” he stated.

That prep work consists of getting ready for employment job fairs.

“You require to enter into a hiring reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He discussed that attendees ought to determine the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke to some employers. A senior info technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.