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 she’s getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

“I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state work, rather than employment in numerous industries, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and employment the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and employment responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were offered to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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; 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 opportunity to learn what type of chances exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and employment Sept. 11.

To get ready for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz said.

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 ability is taught as part of the TAP.

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

Education is an essential benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that essentially every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he stated, “however while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

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

“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do in the future down the road,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You need to go into a hiring reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that participants should identify the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for informed conversations with employers.

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