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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base .

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she participated in a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

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

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and employment Families; Department of Social and employment 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 out what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator employment pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, budgets and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, employment seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.

“You require to enter into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that participants should determine the business they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with recruiters.

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