JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a few weeks away, and she’s getting ready for employment the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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 provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, employment employers from state agencies were offered to address employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift 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 occasion, the task fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,“ said 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 employment them, „dress for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a „fast intro 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 task fair’s goals was to help people find out about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re „not all set to make that jump yet,“ or employment they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, employment Gentz stated.

„We see that generally every year,“ he said. „We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.“

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget 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 stated, „however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?“

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, employment seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, employment Handoe said.

„You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,“ he said.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

„You need to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,“ Handoe said.

He discussed that participants need to identify the business they want to speak with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.