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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
« I just try to take benefit 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 said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous 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, recruiters from state companies were offered to respond to working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.
represented companies 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 referall.us 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 discover out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door, » 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 prepare for 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 seeking to do, » Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential advantage of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re « not all set to make that jump yet, » or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
« We see that essentially every year, » he said. « We want them to make an informed decision about their profession. »
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and « building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get 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 go out? »
Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and education – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe stated.
« You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway, » he stated.
That prep work includes preparing for job fairs.
« You need to go into a hiring reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe stated.
He explained that participants need to determine the companies they want to speak to and research study them ahead of time, to allow for informed discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.
