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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for employment the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and employment 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 type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor employment 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 get ready for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help people discover career opportunities and how their with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover 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 stated. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, budget plans and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for employment – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that attendees should determine the business they want to speak with and research them ahead of time, employment to permit for informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.