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, employment and she's getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, employment she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than employment in various 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 concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to address employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables 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 employment Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door," said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 employment 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 wanting to do," Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair's goals was to help individuals discover career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they're "not all set to make that dive yet," or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

"We see that generally every year," he said. "We desire them to make an informed choice about their career."

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and "developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it's time to get 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 get out?"

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

"You ought 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 consists of getting ready for task fairs.

"You require to enter into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you're going to do and not simply meander around," Handoe stated.

He explained that participants should pinpoint the companies they desire to talk to and research them ahead of time, to allow for informed conversations with recruiters.

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