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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

“I just attempt to take benefit of 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 work, instead of employment in different industries, 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, employers from state companies were available to address working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction 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.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and employment learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that guests need to identify the companies they wish to talk to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.