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 task hunters, referall.us she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

"I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to make sure I'm as prepared as possible," she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous markets, 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to answer hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State's Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance," said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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, "dress for success," bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a "quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you're seeking to do," Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair's objectives was to assist individuals learn about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of participating in a task 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 offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

"We see that essentially every year," he said. "We want them to make an educated decision about their profession."

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and "constructing 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 at some point," he said, "but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for - including accreditations, accreditations and education - and discovering about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

"You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the roadway," he said.

That prep work includes getting ready for job fairs.

"You need to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you're going to do and not just meander around," Handoe said.

He explained that guests need to pinpoint the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke with some employers. A senior info technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.