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, and [empty] she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base .

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

“I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of work in numerous markets, made it various 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 responded to questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, jobs.salaseloffshore.com deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies including VERG, https://studentvolunteers.us/ 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 chance to find out what type of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 supremecarelink.com pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals learn about career opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage 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 dive yet,” or sowjobs.com they have actually seen the offered 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 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 someday,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he stated.

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that guests should determine the companies they want to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and [empty] talked to some recruiters. A senior information innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.