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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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just try to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to respond to hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
A quarterly occasion, referall.us the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional job 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 stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s objectives was to help people discover career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is an essential benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.”
Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “building a nest egg 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 one day,” he stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning about their working with practices, Handoe said.
“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the road,” he said.
That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.
“You need to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.
He described that attendees ought to determine the they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some employers. A senior information technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.