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, employment and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, employment instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. 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 addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for employment 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 job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor employment 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz said.

An elevator employment pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming 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 help people discover about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings 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 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 people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for employment – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

“You require to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He discussed that participants should determine the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 and talked to some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.