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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. - Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan's military exit date is a few weeks away, and she's preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

"I just attempt to take advantage 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 work, instead of employment in numerous markets, 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 answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were readily available to address hiring 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 occasion, the job fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door," stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor teachersconsultancy.com 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 them, "dress for success," bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator sowjobs.com pitch is a "quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you're aiming to do," Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair's goals was to assist people learn more about career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they're "not ready to make that dive yet," or they have seen the available opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

"We see that generally every year," he stated. "We want them to make an informed choice about their career."

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and "building a savings so you have something to work with when it's time to get out," Handoe said.

"Everybody's going to get out of the Army at some point," he stated, "however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find - including certifications, remotejobscape.com accreditations and schooling - and discovering their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

"You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the road," he said.

That prep work includes preparing for task fairs.

"You need to enter into a hiring fair with a strategy of what you're going to do and not just meander around," Handoe stated.

He explained that participants need to identify the companies they wish to talk with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior information technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.