Instant Interviews: 101 Ways to Get the Best Job of Your Life

Chapter 83. Swap Meets for Top Greets

"Go to the swap meet and shop." Reasonable enough, if you're not looking for instant interviews.

But if your focus is, "Go to the swap meet to greet," you're at a place that couldn't be better if you designed it yourself.

Excitement is in the air!

The open atmosphere, the open people with open minds, and their open businesses. Probably the optimum optimism venue.

Review and do with your front pockets full (Do 1).

I'm writing this Do as we arrive at a swap meet that's been around for 50 years.

We showed up at 7:45 and walked right in. The ticket booth was still being set up. They allow early birds to come in free with the vendors until 8 a.m.

We stopped by the information booth. The signs said, "Ask us. We're here to help. Apply here. We refer applicants to our merchants. Find a merchant." A big business card display was there with several hundred cards to take for leads.

What an oasis in the jobjungle! A large tribe of happy hunters, all networking with the goal of having fun and making money. Nobody's better than anyone else. They meet before the meet every week, exchange leads, talk about what's hot, laugh, and sing. Working wonderland—and yours free.

All swap meets are not this established and well organized. But even local flea markets have motivated owner-operators. They're high-spirited and always looking to capitalize on a new product or service. The auto parts merchant was talking to the bike merchant about a new swap meet opening up about 20 ...