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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 https://www.rotaryjobmarket.com/companies/thehispanicamerican/ she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she attended a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession 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 needs to offer, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in various industries, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and inquiry the TAP, it began with a panel of from state companies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were offered to answer working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor 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 chance to learn what type of opportunities exist here outside 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 get ready 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 looking to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s goals was to assist people find out about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and “building a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to go out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he stated, “but while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for job fairs.

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

He described that guests ought to pinpoint the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job reasonable and sports betting spoke with some employers. A senior infotech specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.