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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 few weeks away, and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she went to a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in different industries, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and job 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 agencies were offered to answer employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for job 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, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that essentially every year,” he said. “We want them to make an educated choice about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “constructing 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, “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 looking for – consisting of accreditations, job accreditations and education – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,” he stated.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to pinpoint the companies they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 and talked with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.