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 referall.us the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I simply attempt to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in various markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies 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 job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 said.
An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an educated choice about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is discovering about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans 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 sooner or later,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering about their hiring practices, Handoe said.
“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,” he said.
That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.
“You need to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe said.
He discussed that guests need to identify the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with recruiters.
Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior information technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.
