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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I simply attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in different industries, made it various 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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 occasion, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,» stated 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 prepare for them, «dress for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,» Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

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

Education is an essential advantage of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re «not prepared to make that dive yet,» or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

«We see that basically every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.»

Part of the is learning about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and «constructing a savings 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 sooner or later,» he stated, «but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and employment finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He explained that participants should pinpoint the companies they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, employment to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

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