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 transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

"I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, simply to make sure I'm as prepared as possible," she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to answer employing questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies consisting of 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 occasion, the is "a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door," said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 celest-interim.fr them, "gown for success," bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a "fast intro of yourself, who you are and what you're wanting to do," Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair's goals was to assist individuals find out about career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not all set to make that jump yet," or they have seen the readily available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

"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, consisting of 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 sooner or later," he stated, "but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find - including certifications, https://horizonsmaroc.com/entreprises/recruitmentfromnepal accreditations and education - and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

"You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the roadway," he said.

That preparation work includes getting ready for task fairs.

"You require to go into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you're going to do and not simply meander around," Handoe stated.

He explained that attendees should determine the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit for educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked with some employers. A senior https://studentvolunteers.us information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.