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 task hunters, https://seedvertexnetwork.co.ke/employer/working/ she attended a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than employment in numerous industries, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to respond to employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, 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 opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 get ready for [empty] them, “gown 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 wanting 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 assist people discover career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, [Redirect-302] spending plans and “building 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 said, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, [empty] accreditations and education – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

“You need to enter into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He discussed that participants ought to pinpoint the companies they want to speak to and research them ahead of time, to allow for informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior info technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.