Jobistan

JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika 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 job applicants, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were offered to address hiring questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the task fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover career opportunities and how their skills align with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit 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 seen the readily available opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget 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 everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for job fairs.

“You require to go into an employing fair with a strategy of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,” Handoe said.

He described that attendees must determine the business they wish to speak with and referall.us research study them ahead of time, to permit educated discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and spoke with some recruiters. A senior details innovation expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.