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 chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in different 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 employment answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to address working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and employment 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what kind of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, employment transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion 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 aiming to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals find out about profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a crucial benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and employment decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.
“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find – including accreditations, employment accreditations and schooling – and employment learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.
“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road,” he stated.
That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.
“You require to go into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.
He explained that participants should pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and employment research study them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job fair and spoke with some employers. A senior infotech expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.