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 task applicants, she participated in a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Center.

“I just try 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 stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in different markets, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were offered to answer working with concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift 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 Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task 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 said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people learn more about profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is discovering about finances, 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 one day,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the roadway,” he said.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

“You require to enter 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 should identify the companies they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to enable informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and referall.us talked to some recruiters. A senior details innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.