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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she participated in an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities 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 needs to use, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various industries, 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 jobportal.kernel.sa answered concerns. Following the panel, [empty] employers from state companies were offered to respond to working with concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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 event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task 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 “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals find out about profession opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered chances 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 career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, https://www.opad.biz/ budget plans and “developing 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 someday,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You need to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.

He discussed that should pinpoint the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some employers. A senior info innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.