Who knew? In my not-so-exciting non-writer life, I am a teacher. Certainly I knew that teaching writing would influence my ability to write, create, and accept criticism, but I didn't know that I would find something on the business side of the writing world to help my teaching.
I recently attended a job fair a local college was holding for adjunct, and in preparation for that job fair, I used all the tricks I learned from going to Desert Dreams. I dressed professionally, made copies of the appropriate letters, resumes, and applications. I created business cards to pass out, and even wore a nametag. I think these little things, in combination, gave me a one up on many of the others, and, more importantly, a confidence boost. I felt as if I represented myself well. One thought kept floating through my mind while there: "Be memorable in a good way." So I made sure to be myself, occasionally throwing out a joke here and there, asking pointed and poignant (I love that word) questions about teaching at this school, the curriculum, and the student body. I even shared some of what I have done while teaching with them to give a sense of what I do as a teacher, and so, in the end, I believe I did make myself memorable in a good way.
Now the problem is I must wait. I must wait to find out if I will be one of the lucky chosen few to get a job at this school. An experience not wholly unlike waiting to hear from an agent regarding my manuscript, though the job isn't anywhere near as terrifying.