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 task seekers, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession 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 provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.
The focus of the job fair on state work, 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 started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were readily available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, employment 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, employment the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance, » stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor employment 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 get ready for them, « dress for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.
An elevator pitch is a « fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do, » Handoe said, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re « not ready to make that dive yet, » or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.
« We see that essentially every year, » he stated. « We desire them to make an educated decision about their career. »
Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and « developing a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe stated.
« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday, » he stated, « however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out? »
Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of accreditations, employment accreditations and schooling – and out about their hiring practices, employment Handoe said.
« You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the roadway, » he said.
That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.
« You need to enter into a working with fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around, » Handoe said.
He explained that guests must determine the business they want to talk with and research study them ahead of time, employment to enable educated discussions with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke with some recruiters. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.
