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, 24-Hour Loan and she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities 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 certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, LMCHING la prairie skin caviar liquid lift serum rather than employment in various industries, 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to answer employing concerns, 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 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 chance to find out what type of chances exist here outdoors your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor 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 “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re looking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, complete-jobs.com accreditations and schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe said.

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He explained that guests must determine the companies they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior info innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.