JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

«I just try to take benefit of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of employment in various industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, employment it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to respond to employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition 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 employment Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager 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 prepare for them, «gown for success,» bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro 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 job fair’s goals was to help people find out about career chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a crucial advantage of participating in a job reasonable, employment 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 offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

«We see that essentially every year,» he said. «We want them to make an educated decision about their career.»

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and «developing a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get 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 help individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – including certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the road,» he said.

That preparation work consists of preparing for job fairs.

«You need to enter into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe said.

He discussed that guests must pinpoint the they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit educated conversations with recruiters.

Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and talked to 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 role.