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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she participated in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
„I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than 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 from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to answer hiring questions, employment stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and employment Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, employment Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
A quarterly event, the job fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,“ said Christopher Gentz, employment transition 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 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 aiming to do,“ Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job 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 going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re „not ready to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the available opportunities and employment choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
„We see that essentially every year,“ he said. „We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.“
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and „constructing 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 at some point,“ he stated, „however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?“
Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – 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 later on down the roadway,“ he said.
That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.
„You require to enter into an employing reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,“ Handoe stated.
He explained that guests need to pinpoint the business they desire to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.