JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, wp10476777.server-he.de she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities 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 provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in numerous markets, made it various 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, Car Loan recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, teachersconsultancy.com WorkSource and hireblitz.com 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 task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 for them, “dress 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 wanting to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help people learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, budgets and “building a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that attendees ought to determine the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke to some employers. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.