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 https://studentvolunteers.us/employer/almanyaisbulma/ she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she participated in a hiring 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 has to offer, simply to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, 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 companies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, 24-Hour Loan recruiters from state companies were readily available to respond to working with questions, said Frank Handoe, services manager 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; 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 kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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, “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 wanting to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about profession opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of participating in a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, teachersconsultancy.com Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army at some point,” 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 people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and [empty] schooling – and finding out about their hiring practices, www.opad.biz Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He described that guests need to identify the business they wish to talk with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.