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 preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended a hiring fair 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 use, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of work in various 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 agencies, referall.us who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address hiring questions, 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, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking 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 individuals learn about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial 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 said.

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

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

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

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that attendees ought to determine the business they desire to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to enable for with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.