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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than work in different industries, made it various than others on the installation. 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, from state agencies were readily available to answer employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back door,» said 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, «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 looking to do,» Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to help people discover about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or [empty] they have actually seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

«We see that generally 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, spending 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 someday,» he said, «however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

«You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the road,» he said.

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that guests need to pinpoint the business they wish to speak to and research study them ahead of time, essencialponto.com.br to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior https://studentvolunteers.us info technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.