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 she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just attempt to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in different industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations 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 occasion, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task fair, 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 offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”
Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, and “constructing a savings 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 someday,” he said, “but while you’re 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 accreditations, accreditations and education – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.
“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the road,” he stated.
That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.
“You require to enter into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.
He discussed that guests need to identify the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for informed conversations with recruiters.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior referall.us infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.
