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 hunters, she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in different markets, made it various 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 questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for 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 employment Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
A quarterly event, employment the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor employment for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion will be held May 8, employment July 10 and Sept. 11.
To prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s goals was to help people learn more about career opportunities and employment how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key benefit of participating in a job reasonable, 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 available chances and decide to continue serving, employment Gentz said.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.
“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.
“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the roadway,” he said.
That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.
“You need to go into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.
He discussed that guests should identify the business they want to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to discussions with recruiters.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke to some recruiters. A senior information innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.