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 hunters, she an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 needs to use, just to make certain I'm as prepared as possible," she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in different markets, made it different 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift 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, www.opad.biz Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, studentvolunteers.us the task fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what sort of chances exist here outside your back door," said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 get ready for them, "gown 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, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair's objectives was to help individuals discover about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they're "not ready to make that dive yet," or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, MATURE OFFICE PORN & SEX PICTURES Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and "building a nest egg 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 someday," he stated, "however while you're in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for - including accreditations, accreditations and education - and learning about their employing practices, [empty] Handoe stated.

"You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road," he said.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

"You require to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you're going to do and not just meander around," Handoe said.

He explained that attendees must determine the companies they want to talk with and research them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.