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 fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to make the most of 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, rather than employment in different markets, made it different 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 agencies, essencialponto.com.br who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to respond to hiring questions, Horny-Office-Babes said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and https://horizonsmaroc.com/ Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, https://teachersconsultancy.com/employer/147805/collaboratedcareers Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, hornyofficebabes.com/pics-blonde/ the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare 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 looking to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to help individuals find out about career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a job reasonable, 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 offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg 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 at some point,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and education – and about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

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

He explained that participants should identify the companies they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, to allow for informed conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke to some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.