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 getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and the TAP, employment it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and employment responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to address employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said 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 employment Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help people find out about career chances and employment how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that essentially every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed choice about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, spending 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 at some point,” he stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

“You need to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He discussed that guests need to determine the business they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and employment spoke with some employers. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.