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 task hunters, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at Career Center.

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

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in different industries, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and employment addressed questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were readily available to address employing concerns, employment said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager for employment 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for employment the Directorate of Human Resources.

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

To prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.

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

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals find out about career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

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

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning about their hiring practices, Handoe said.

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

That prep work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He explained that guests should determine the business they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and consulted with some recruiters. A senior information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.