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 getting ready for Small Amount Loan the transition at Joint Base .
As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she went to a hiring 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 offer, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to answer working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, remotejobscape.com deputy transition services manager for sowjobs.com the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 prepare for them, “gown 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 said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn more about profession opportunities and how their abilities 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 all set to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.
“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 finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, spending 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 everything you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe said.
“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the road,” he stated.
That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.
“You need to enter into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.
He explained that participants should determine the companies they wish to talk to and research them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke to some recruiters. A senior info innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.
