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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, employment Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a few weeks away, and she’s preparing for employment the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she attended a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities 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 ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous markets, made it different than others on the installation. 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, recruiters from state firms were offered to answer employing questions, employment said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor employment 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover out what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back door,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help people discover profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is an essential advantage of attending 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 they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “constructing a savings 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 stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

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

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

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

He explained that attendees ought to pinpoint the companies they desire to speak to and research them ahead of time, to allow for educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and talked with some employers. A senior details innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.