Teachers at Garrett High School in Garrett, Indiana have put a new spin on the traditional job fair. Instead of inviting businesses to set up tables and present their companies as a place to work, the school stationed students at the tables and gave them the responsibility of presenting their skills and enthusiasm to potential employers.

“The Garrett High School Reverse Job Fair is the most effective and collaborative job fair format I have ever experienced as an employer. All employers are looking for new talent and value the engaging convos they get to have with each student,” said Carly Buchanan, Director of Human Resources from Brooks Construction Company, Inc. “It is a win-win for students seeking careers and employers.”

Chad Sutton, a former construction teacher at the school and a 2020 winner of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, said teachers had been talking for years about how to make their job fairs more engaging.

At a typical job fair, many students spend time chatting with other students rather than engaging with industry professionals. Sutton helped students make connections with potential employers throughout the school year but knew they could do a great job of presenting the merit of their skills on their own if given the chance. Sutton was happy to see that Corey Schoon, his successor as the Career Development Program Director at Garrett High, put the idea for the reverse job fair into action at the end of the 2021 spring semester.

With three to four months of advance planning, Schoon was able to organize this refreshed format and coordinate with local industry contacts. The key elements include:

• Tables set up by industry of interest
• Clear signage designating each area
• Students stationed at tables, dressed appropriately for the occasion
• Resumes, portfolios, examples of work, and certifications readily available
• Rooms reserved nearby for spontaneous interviews

Industry members from the local community have found this spin on the event refreshing and encouraging year after year since its start.

“The Garrett Reverse Job Fair is among the most rewarding high school recruiting events you can attend. Weigand has successfully hired multiple students from this event and regard it as one of the most important recruiting events to attend each year,” said Nick Craghead, Talent Acquisition Manager for Weigand Construction.

“As a workforce development partner, the event demonstrates the potential of high school students to bridge the gap between education and employment. It reinforces the importance of collaboration between schools and local businesses to build a strong talent pipeline for the community,” said Kim Tempel, Sr. Director of Business Services/Human Resources at Northeast Indiana Works. “Events like this create a dynamic platform where businesses can see firsthand the benefits of engaging with work-based learning programs and investing in their future workforce.”