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 task applicants, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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 sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, employment instead of employment in different 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 addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to answer working with concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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, employment 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 kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job 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 employment practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover about career chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he stated, “however 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 outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

“You need to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that attendees must pinpoint the companies they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.