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 attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to respond to employing questions, stated 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; of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, job transition services supervisor 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 said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help people discover about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a task reasonable, job as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or job they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, job including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a savings 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 also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that participants should determine the business they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for job educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.