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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances 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 said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than work in numerous industries, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to respond to hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

represented companies 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, opad.biz the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task 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, sowjobs.com Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe said, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about profession chances and https://studentvolunteers.us how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

“You need to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He explained that participants must identify the companies they want to talk to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

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