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 Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she went to a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

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

Informational tables represented companies 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 employment Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition 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 prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator employment pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to assist people learn more about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road,” he said.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

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

He discussed that attendees must pinpoint the business they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior details technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.