JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, 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 applicants, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to benefit from 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 job fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous markets, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were readily available to respond to working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including 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 Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover out what sort of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

One of the task fair’s goals was to help people learn more about career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

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

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

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a nest egg 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, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering about their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that participants should identify the business they want to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with recruiters.

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