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 candidates, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
„I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,“ she said.
The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of work in different 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 responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to respond to working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, job deputy transition services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, job 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 opportunity to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,“ stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 get ready for job them, „gown for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator pitch is a „quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,“ Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover profession and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not all set to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
„We see that essentially every year,“ he said. „We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.“
Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, 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 said.
„Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,“ he said, „but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?“
Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.
„You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,“ he stated.
That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.
„You require to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,“ Handoe stated.
He discussed that guests must identify the business they wish to talk with and job research them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with employers.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.