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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, referall.us 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 job candidates, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; 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 discover what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance, » stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 prepare for them, « dress 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 looking to do, » Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals find out about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re « not all set to make that jump yet, » or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, 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 someday, » he said, « but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out? »

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

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

That preparation work includes getting ready 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 said.

He described that attendees must pinpoint the business they want to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.