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10 Questions with ... Jack Swart
June 23, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I have been in the broadcast business since 1973 with several years on-air and as a PD and also as rep, sales manager and general manager. I have worked all through the heart of the Midwest in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. While with Cumulus, I won the President's Cup in 2001, with Connoisseur Media I was General Manager of the Year in 2010 and I received the Highest Award for Achievement in Dale Carnegie training in 2009. I am a CRMC and a CRSM.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I fall back on the successes I have had over the years and know that I can help another company succeed.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Doing things around the house, spending time with my wife and enjoying baseball season.
3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
I miss it ... I miss the day-to-day work of being with a staff and achieving goals. Being out of work in the industry makes me remember why I love being in the business.
4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Yes, it is what I know and what I love.
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
The present one, which is almost five months. The industry has changed in that way.
6) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Contacts and networking with friends ... it seems someone usually knows someone who is looking for help.
7) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
A mixture of things has helped me look for openings -- All Access, Media Recruiter, and Indeed.com. I have also used LinkedIn to network and connect with potential hiring managers.
8) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
This has also been mixed; sometimes you hear nothing more and then see someone named to that job in All Access. Some companies have been good about responding when a job is filled. The worst is seeing a job posted for a day and then learning that it is already filled. That posting may stay up there for another four weeks!
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment was turning around WJFM (now WBCT), which was a powerful station ... 320,000 watts in Grand Rapids, MI. After years of never cracking a 2 share, we did research (with Mark Kassof) and delivered a 9.0 share in one book. It was also my first GM job.
10) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
My only regret in recent history was leaving Midwest Communications; Duke Wright was the best man I ever worked for and I wish I wouldn't have left.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
I joined a Bible study and participated in learning the story of Moses, reading and discussing the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy.
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