JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she participated in a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career 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 has to use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous markets, made it different than others on the setup. 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, recruiters from state agencies were offered to answer concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for referall.us 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 task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated 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 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 “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people discover profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday,” he stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work includes getting ready for task fairs.

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

He described that participants need to determine the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and spoke to some employers. A senior information technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.