JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities
LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and employment she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, employment she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in different industries, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and employment the TAP, employment it began with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to answer employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 get ready 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 job fair’s objectives was to assist individuals find out about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key benefit of attending a task fair, 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 offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that essentially every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, employment including credit reports, budgets and “developing 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 one day,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, employment seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, employment Handoe stated.
“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,” he stated.
That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.
“You require to go 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 must pinpoint the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for informed discussions with recruiters.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke to some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.