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, [empty] and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

« I just attempt to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of work 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, https://vieclamnuocngoaiaz.com/employer/teachinthailand/ recruiters from state firms were available to answer hiring concerns, said Frank Handoe, thematragroup.in deputy shift 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; of Social and Health Services, sowjobs.com Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, shift 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, « gown for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a « quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do, » Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to help people find out about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, [empty] Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re « not prepared to make that jump yet, » or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

« We see that basically every year, » he stated. « We want them to make an informed choice about their career. »

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, budget plans and « constructing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out, » Handoe stated.

« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later, » 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 people in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and discovering about their employing 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 preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

« You require to enter into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe said.

He discussed that participants must identify the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some employers. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.