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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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

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

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous markets, 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 responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were readily available to respond to employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for [empty] 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 event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover profession chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that jump yet,” or https://redefineworksllc.com/employer/studentvolunteers they have seen the available chances and Other Loans decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “constructing a savings 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, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes getting ready 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 stated.

He discussed that attendees should determine the business they desire to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit for educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with 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.

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