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 employment she’s getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

«I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous markets, 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 from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address hiring 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 employment 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 opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager 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 get ready for them, «gown 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 looking to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to help people learn more about career chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and «building a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,» Handoe stated.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,» he stated, «however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, employment seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire 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 hiring reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe said.

He described that participants ought to identify the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked with some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.