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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, employment Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she attended a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to answer working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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, employment 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, transition 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, « gown 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 seeking to do, » Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to assist people find out about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re « not prepared to make that dive yet, » or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning about financial resources, including credit reports, budget plans and « constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe stated.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point, » he said, « however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out? »

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That work includes getting ready for task fairs.

« You need to go into a working with reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe said.

He described that guests must identify the companies they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.