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 job seekers, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in numerous 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 addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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, [empty] the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of chances exist here outside 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 prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and https://jobs.assist-staffing.com practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover profession opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, and “developing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning about their working with practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later on down the road,” he said.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

“You require to go into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that guests ought to identify the business they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked with some recruiters. A senior studentvolunteers.us details technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.