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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just try to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, made it various than others on the installation. 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 [empty] addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for 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 Families; Department of Social and Health Services, [empty] Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, [empty] shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 working.co.ke pitch is a «quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about career opportunities and hirerightskills.com how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re «not all set to make that jump yet,» or they have actually seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

«We see that essentially every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an informed decision about their career.»

Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and «building 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 one day,» he said, «however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe said.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,» he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.

«You require to go into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.

He described that participants should pinpoint the business they desire to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke to some employers. A senior info innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.