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JOINT BASE 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 job hunters, she participated in a hiring reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

"I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to make certain I'm as prepared as possible," she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous industries, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were available to address employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager 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 opportunity to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance," stated Christopher Gentz, shift 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, "dress 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 looking to do," Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair's goals was to assist individuals learn more about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not ready to make that jump yet," or they have actually seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

"We see that basically every year," he said. "We desire them to make an educated choice about their profession."

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, consisting of credit reports, budgets and "constructing 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 sooner or later," he stated, "however while you're in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?"

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find - including certifications, accreditations and education - and finding out about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

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

That preparation work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

"You need to go into an employing fair with a plan of what you're going to do and not just meander around," Handoe said.

He explained that guests ought to determine the companies they desire to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with employers.

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

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