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 getting ready for the shift at Lewis-McChord.

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

«I simply attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in various 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 veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were offered to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and MATURE OFFICE PORN & SEX PICTURES 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 job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, hirerightskills.com shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, 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 aiming to do,» Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

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

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re «not all set to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that essentially every year,» he stated. «We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.»

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

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,» he said, «but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.

«You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway,» he said.

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that attendees ought to pinpoint the companies they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to allow for educated discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.