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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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to an employing fair 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 use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in different markets, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were offered to address hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for employment 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, employment the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator pitch is a “fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a key benefit of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “developing a savings 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 one day,” he said, “but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.
“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.
That preparation work consists of preparing for .
“You need to go into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe stated.
He explained that guests must identify the companies they wish to speak to and employment research them ahead of time, to permit for employment informed discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and employment talked with some employers. A senior details innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.