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 [empty] she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities 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 has to offer, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,“ she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in different markets, horizonsmaroc.com made it different than others on the setup. 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 concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for [empty] the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 opportunity to discover out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,“ stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager 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 „fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,“ Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is an essential advantage of participating in a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re „not ready to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
„We see that basically every year,“ he stated. „We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.“
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, 24-Hour Loan including credit reports, budget plans and „building a savings 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 one day,“ he stated, „but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?“
Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.
„You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the roadway,“ he stated.
That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.
„You require to enter into an employing reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,“ Handoe stated.
He discussed that guests must pinpoint the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked 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 role.