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10 Questions with ... Athena Matsikas-Pavone
January 15, 2008
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NAME:Athena Matsikas-PavoneLAST WITH:KHGE (Big Country 1027) /FresnoPHONE:(415) 321-0771
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
It is really hard to maintain a positive mental attitude when you are out of work because you feel like you failed. Then when you send out tapes, mp3s, etc. and you don't hear back from them, it's a little depressing. I stay motivated by still listening to the radio and, believe it or not, listening to old tapes of my mentors and old airchecks with old partners who were really great to me ... we had so much fun together. I also love talking to people who have been fired -- and who have had three jobs in one year -- about how they succeeded and got a gig. That helps, too. My friend Charley from Las Vegas says, "Picture that place where you want to be and you will be there. Channel your energy. There is a job out there, but you don't know it yet."
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I was let go when I was nine months pregnant, then had the baby. I think this was God's way of doing mysterious things ... I'm busy nursing, changing poops, drying tears and making many trips to the doctors' offices, getting shots and just being a first-time mom. Doing that and looking for a job ... is a job!
3) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
All Access of course, baby -- you guys are the best. I also talk to my former PDs, GMs and consultants. And I'm networking with my morning show boot camp peeps. All word of mouth is good.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
One that will allow me to "marry" that market and stay there. I give 120% to the station and the community, and it has been said that I'm one of the hardest-working women in the business. I love all kinds of formats from Hot AC, Top 40, Country and News/Talk.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
Some people will call me back sounding real excited, and then once they find out that they don't have any money in the budget or something is slowing up the process, I will not hear from them, and that's really frustrating. Just tell me that I am not the person, so I can move on. It sucks being on that other end.
6) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
Well, about six years ago, I did a pregnancy test on the air and I thought I was pregnant by my boyfriend, and we were suspended for it ... and I was also known for my wild and crazy partying days. A GM who heard these stories -- but they were very embellished - asked me in an interview, "Tell me about the time you thought you were pregnant by a married man and about that bar remote when you were so drunk, people had to drag you out of there?" What the &&*%%? I don't know where he got that info from, but that was a crazy untrue question.
7) With consolidation, there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I live my life on the air. I have a different and unique voice. I'm willing to move anywhere. I have done it all, from being single to marriage to having kids, and I am a damn good producer.
8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
When someone tells me that I cannot get a guest, it makes me work harder. I finally got Larry King and Muhammad Ali to call into Fresno! I worked really hard on that.
9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
When you think you are in a bad situation, remember what it's like to be out of work and really enjoy what you have. It could be better, and it could be worse!!
10) Where do you see yourself in five years ... 10 years?
I see myself doing personality mornings or afternoons real soon ... hopefully near a beach in California, or right now, I am thinking anywhere in the country. I would love to do News/Talk or some kind of fun, Hot Talk in 10 years, locally or syndicated.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
"Eat, Work, Pray" - it's so inspirational that Oprah did a huge show about it!!
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