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 shift at Joint Base .

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she participated in a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. 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 questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address employing concerns, stated 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 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 opportunity to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services 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 practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz stated.

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

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals discover profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the available opportunities and choose 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 finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

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

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

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later down the roadway,” he stated.

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

“You require to enter into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.

He described that participants ought to determine the business they desire to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for educated discussions with employers.

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