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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 couple of weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she attended an employing reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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 make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous markets, 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 companies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, employment deputy shift services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, employment Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, employment shift 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 prepare for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator employment 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 ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s objectives was to assist individuals learn more about career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, employment Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “building a nest egg 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 sooner or later,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – including accreditations, and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

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

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You need to enter into a hiring reasonable with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He explained that attendees should pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior info technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.