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 job candidates, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply 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 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 veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to address employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, employment deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, employment 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 entrance,” said 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 prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s goals was to help individuals find out about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key advantage of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, employment including credit reports, budgets 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 sooner or later,” he stated, “however 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 individuals in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and employment schooling – and employment learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.
“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road,” he stated.
That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.
“You need to enter into a hiring reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.
He discussed that attendees ought to pinpoint the business they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, employment to permit informed conversations with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke to some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.
