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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I simply attempt to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in various industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, and job the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were offered to respond to working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor 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 Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the job fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,» said Christopher Gentz, 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, «gown for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,» Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to assist individuals find out about profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not prepared to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that basically every year,» he said. «We want them to make an educated decision about their career.»

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and «developing 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 sooner or later,» he said, «but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that participants need to determine the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some employers. A senior information technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.