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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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

« I simply attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, made it different 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 firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to answer 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 event, the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outside your back door, » stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 goals was to assist people learn about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a job reasonable, 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, referall.us Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and « developing a nest egg so you have something to deal 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 whatever you can to prepare to get out? »

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of preparing for .

« 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 described that attendees must identify the companies they desire to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior details technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.