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 the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she went to 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 provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and employment the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and employment answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to respond to working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for employment 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 task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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, «dress for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «quick introduction 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 job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not all set to make that dive yet,» or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

«We see that essentially every year,» he said. «We want them to make an educated choice about their career.»

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, budget plans and «developing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,» Handoe said.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,» he said, «however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?»

likewise exist to help people with networking, employment seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, employment Handoe stated.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road,» he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that guests must identify the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to permit for educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked to some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.