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 getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, employment she participated in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at 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 make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and employment answered questions. Following the panel, employment employers from state firms were readily available to respond to employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of chances exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition 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 get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn more about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have actually 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 educated decision about their career.”
Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.
“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and employment learning more about their hiring practices, Handoe said.
“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the roadway,” he stated.
That prep work consists of getting ready for employment task fairs.
“You need to go into a hiring fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.
He explained that attendees should determine the business they desire to talk with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.