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 she's getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM's Center.

"I just try to take benefit 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 stated.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than work in various markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to answer hiring questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 event, the job fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure chance to find out what sort of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance," said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 said.

An elevator pitch is a "fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you're looking to do," Handoe said, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair's objectives was to assist individuals learn about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of participating in a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they're "not prepared to make that dive yet," or they have actually seen the available chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and "developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it's time to go out," Handoe said.

"Everybody's going to get out of the Army someday," he stated, "but while you're in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are searching for - including accreditations, accreditations and schooling - and discovering about their hiring practices, Handoe stated.

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

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

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

He discussed that guests should pinpoint the companies they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior details technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.