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

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

"I simply attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to ensure I'm as prepared as possible," she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to respond to employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor 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 Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance," stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job 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 employment 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.

One of the task fair's goals was to assist people find out about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a task reasonable, employment as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not all set to make that jump yet," or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and "constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal 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 remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?"

also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for - consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling - and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.

"You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road," he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He discussed that participants should identify the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.