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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, referall.us Wash. - Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan's military exit date is a few weeks away, and she's getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job seekers, she participated in a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities 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 stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous industries, 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 answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were offered to answer working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables 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 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 discover out what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance," said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 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 looking to do," Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair's goals was to assist individuals discover career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not prepared to make that jump yet," or they have actually seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

"We see that generally every year," he stated. "We desire them to make an informed choice about their career."

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and "developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it's time to go out," Handoe said.

"Everybody's going to get out of the Army one day," he said, "but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for - including certifications, accreditations and education - and more about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

"You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road," he said.

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

"You require to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you're going to do and not just meander around," Handoe said.

He described that guests ought to pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and consulted with some employers. A senior information technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.