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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I simply attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to address working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 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, employment Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the job fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a crucial advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”
Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.
“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.
“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.
That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.
“You need to go into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.
He explained that attendees need to determine the companies they desire to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with employers.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior employment infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.
