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 candidates, she participated in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

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

The focus of the job fair on state work, instead of employment in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employment recruiters from state agencies were available to respond to working with questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for employment the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 occasion, the job fair is "a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance," stated Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion 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 "fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you're looking to do," Handoe said, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair's objectives was to assist people find out about career opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they're "not all set to make that jump yet," or they have seen the offered chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and "developing 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 someday," he said, "but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find - including certifications, accreditations and education - and discovering their employing practices, Handoe stated.

"You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway," he stated.

That prep work consists of getting ready for employment job fairs.

"You require to enter into a working with reasonable with a plan of what you're going to do and not simply meander around," Handoe said.

He discussed that participants ought to identify the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior information technology specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wishes to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.