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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in different industries, 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, employment who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to address hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s 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, employment the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist people find out about career opportunities and employment how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a key 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 dive yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an educated decision about their career.”
Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, budget 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, “but 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 individuals in the outside world are searching for – including accreditations, 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 wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.
That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.
“You need to enter into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.
He discussed that guests should pinpoint the business they wish to speak with and research them ahead of time, employment to enable informed conversations with recruiters.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and employment talked to some employers. A senior information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.