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, employment and she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

“I simply 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, rather than employment in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of from state agencies, employment who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employment recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to employing questions, said 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 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 kind of chances exist here outdoors 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 prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist people discover career chances and how their abilities line up 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 all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for employment job fairs.

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

He discussed that guests ought to identify the companies they want to speak to and research them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior details innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, employment she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.