10 Questions with ... Paul Walker

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out at a small 250-watt daytimer and I've been everywhere from the Florida Space Coast to Central Nebraska and Western South Carolina to rural central Alaska.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated?

That's hard because it's easy to get discouraged. I have radio friends whose opinions and values I trust. We regularly chat about this that or the other when it comes to radio. It's helpful when you have friends who are honest with you but also will give you a little well-earned "confidence boost" when you need it.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I listen to music, cook, and I have an elderly neighbor I like to visit with once or twice a week who has lived in town her whole life. I really enjoy talking to her about stuff in this town from 40, 50, 60 years ago

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.

It is a bit discouraging because often times when someone applies for a job they never get an acknowledgement the station got their stuff or when someone was hired. And I get/respect that station staff are busy, but a simple acknowledgement goes a long way.

4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Yes, back in middle and high school, it's what I wanted to be doing when I grew up, and for the last 15 years, it's all I've done. If you went back to any of my teachers from middle school or high school, even if I hadn't spoken to them since school, none would be surprised with what I'm doing with my life now.

5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

About nine months. The quickest? 1 day!

6) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

Make friends with someone at the station, like the jock, PD, GM or owner. Ask for a tour if they seem friendly and willing. Tell them you're interested in radio, but want to learn more and wonder if they have any promotions interns/board op-type positions open.

7) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

There's not been one single resource that's been the best ... I use All Access, but I also check state broadcast association job banks.

8) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

I can't honestly say I've ever done anything too crazy, really. Not that I wouldn't, but the need/opportunity just hasn't been there.

9) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

Something in a small to medium market where I can be on the air and be myself. I'm all about making my listeners laugh and smile by just being me on the air. I want to work, but I want to have some fun and adventure at the same time. I don't like a boring life. I am willing to relocate and work anywhere, no matter how small or rural for the most part.

10) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

It's about where I expected them to me. Of course there are some surprises both lower and higher than expected.

Is Facebook a vital tool for a radio station?

Absolutely. It is simply another way to reach out, connect with and become friends with listeners. It's another way to have them participate with the station and have the station show the listener that they matter and they count. At my last station, we were a personality-driven Country station and the listeners loved the interaction with the jocks on Facebook because it was fun and they loved the live video, pictures and other stuff radio can't do. It's a bit more personal even than radio, in a way. It's not a replacement for radio, though, but it's an additional tool that is so important. Some stations just aren't doing it right. They will make a post and never come back to it or never reply to listeners. When a station wants engagement on Facebook, make a post with a picture and ask the listeners a question that forces them to think, engage and participate. It makes them feel important and appreciated especially when the station replies to them!