JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika 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 went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the job fair on state employment, employment instead of employment in various 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 answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to answer working with 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor 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 prepare for them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

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

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

Education is an essential advantage of participating in a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, employment budget plans and “building 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 sooner or later,” he stated, “but while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You require to enter into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He described that guests should determine the companies they desire to speak with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some employers. A senior details innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.