About Face: Reverse Job Fairs are the New Trend
Career fair season is here, and a growing trend is the reverse career fair. So what is it—and how should employers prepare?
A reverse career fair flips the traditional format: instead of employers hosting booths, students or job seekers showcase their skills, projects, and goals, while employers rotate to meet them. This format allows candidates to lead the conversation and demonstrate their abilities in more dynamic ways than a resume alone.
At a recent event at Campbell County High School, students stood out by confidently presenting their work, clearly articulating career goals, and connecting their studies to their future plans.
Campbell County High School hosted a reverse event in March, at which their students confidently discussed their research and classroom experiences with employers.
If you’re invited to participate, be aware that your preparation should look a little different:
1. Shift your mindset
Be proactive—initiate conversations and approach candidates with curiosity. Think of it as structured networking plus interviewing.
2. Review candidates in advance
If resumes or profiles are available, identify top prospects and prepare tailored questions.
3. Refine your pitch
Be ready to briefly highlight open roles, career pathways, and your workplace culture (keep it to 60–90 seconds).
4. Bring the right team
Include both HR and a hiring manager who can speak to day-to-day work and answer technical questions.
5. Ask better questions
Focus on fit and motivation:
What kind of work interests you most day-to-day?
Which project are you most proud of?
What type of environment helps you succeed?
6. Capture information
Take notes, collect resumes, and track strong candidates for follow-up.
7. Move quickly
Have clear next steps and be ready to schedule interviews soon after the event.
8. Follow up within 24–48 hours
Reference your conversation, express interest, and keep the momentum going.
________________________________________
Looking to connect with students for full- or part-time roles? NKY Works can help you access both traditional and reverse career fairs and connect with job-ready candidates. Contact NKYWorks@NKADD.org or 859.657.WRKS (9757).