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 the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

"I simply try to take advantage of 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 job fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, employment WorkSource and employment the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were offered to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, employment 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 job fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what type of opportunities exist here outside your back door," said Christopher Gentz, employment transition 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, "gown for success," bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a "fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you're seeking 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 learn more about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of attending a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not all set to make that jump yet," or they have actually seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

"We see that generally every year," he stated. "We want them to make an educated decision about their career."

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, 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 sooner or later," he said, "but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?"

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are looking for - including certifications, employment accreditations and education - and discovering about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

"You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later down the road," 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 just meander around," Handoe stated.

He discussed that guests ought to determine the they desire to talk to and research study them ahead of time, employment to enable informed conversations with recruiters.

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