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Founded 1914
Company Description
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 getting ready for the transition 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 opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I simply attempt to take benefit of 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 task fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous industries, made it various 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 responded to concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were available to address employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services manager 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; 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 opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.
To get ready for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, .
An elevator pitch is a “quick 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.
Among the job fair’s goals was to assist people learn more about career chances and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.
Education is a key benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.
“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and “building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.
“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”
Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and referall.us education – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.
“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.
That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.
“You require to go into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.
He explained that attendees need to pinpoint the companies they wish to talk to and research them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with recruiters.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and consulted with some employers. A senior info innovation professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.