JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to 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 certain I’m as prepared as possible,“ she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than employment in numerous industries, made it different 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 companies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to address working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for 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 job fair is „a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door,“ 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, „dress for success,“ bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, referall.us Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a „fast introduction 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.
Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals discover profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential advantage of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re „not prepared to make that jump yet,“ or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
„We see that essentially every year,“ he said. „We want them to make an informed decision about their career.“
Part of the education piece is learning 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 said.
„Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,“ he stated, „however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?“
Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing 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 prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.
„You require to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,“ Handoe said.
He described that attendees should determine the companies they desire to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for informed conversations with recruiters.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke with some employers. A senior details innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.
