While we all know the common rules that apply to job interviews (hopefully), like wear a suit, be prepared with copies of your resume and perhaps, most importantly, BE ON TIME – there are a few things practicing PR professionals or those pursuing careers in PR should know NEVER to say.

As public relations professionals it is our job to be creative and to stand out amidst a sea of similar  faces, places and products to present what makes our clients special and worthy of media coverage. So why wouldn’t we look at potential employees in the same manner?

So here’s what we DON’T want to hear during an interview when asked the following:

• Why do you want to work in public relations? “I like to talk to people.”

Yes, while this is an important aspect of public relations (after all, what good would an anti-social PR person be?), it should not be the sole reason you want to get into public relations – there has to be something more … substantial.

• What is PR to you? “Relating to the public” or “Creating positive relations between a business and its clients.”

We work in PR; we don’t need a textbook definition of what we do every day, thank you very much. However, we would like for you to demonstrate that you actually know how to do the job, or rather, explain what tools we use in order to “create positive relations between a business and its clients.”

• What aspect of PR do you like most? “I like planning and going to parties.”

Then become a party planner. Despite what pop-culture depicts, public relations    is not all about parties and events – it’s an office job.

• What kind of clients do you like to work with? “Well, I don’t like…”

We didn’t ask what you don’t like, but while we’re on the topic – don’t highlight what you hate! Especially if what you hate happens to be an industry many of our clients belong to.

• What attracts you to a career in public relations? (I know – this is very similar to item #1 on our list, but we’ve actually gotten this answer more than once) “I want to be like Samantha from Sex and the City.”

I don’t really think this needs any explanation.

We’re looking for our next incredible intern. If you think you’ve got what it takes, send us your resume, cover letter and writing samples.

Job description and requirements below:

J. Walcher Communications is seeking a creative and enthusiastic individual to work part-time as public relations intern (minimum 16 hours per week).

J. Walcher Communications is a boutique agency specializing in local, regional and national public relations, and strategic communication campaigns. Working in a wide range of industries including real estate, consumer products, professional services, health and fitness, nonprofit and association, sports/entertainment, hospitality, and more, we help our clients build their businesses with smart and effective campaigns that set them apart from the competition.

Scope of Work

The J. Walcher Communications intern will be involved in all aspects of the agency including media relations and research, writing, event coordination, and client and product research for a variety of businesses. He/She will gain a practical understanding of the public relations industry as well as how to develop the tools necessary to compete and excel in this exciting and growing field.

Specific responsibilities include research, database management, maintaining media lists and client clip files, writing, proofreading, preparing presentation materials, as well as administrative support which includes phones, faxing/scanning, word processing, filing, copying and mail distribution.
Requirements

* A college junior or senior majoring in journalism, public relations or communications or related discipline

* Strong oral and written communication skills

* Minimum 3.0 GPA

* Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, internet and database experience necessary. Adobe Photoshop and media database knowledge a plus.

* Social media knowledge required

*Internship begins A.S.A.P.

*For College Credit Only

*Flexible Hours

Interested candidates should send cover letter, résumé and writing samples to:

Email: jacqueline@jwalcher.com

Visit us at www.jwalcher.com

As the public relations agency for the Lung Cancer Alliance’s San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer 5K Walk, we thought it would be a good idea for us talk the talk and walk the walk for what we were promoting.  Please join us on Sunday, May 1 to support the Lung Cancer Alliance Walk — grown-ups and kids welcome. Your walk contribution of $30 (kids $15) is greatly appreciated and includes a free ticket to the June 4 Padre game. We are equally thankful for general contributions to this great cause.

Facts:

• Lung cancer is commonly misperceived as a “smokers’ disease,” but more than 75 percent of all diagnosed cases occur in people who have never smoked or people who have quit smoking.

• Every year, lung cancer also kills nearly twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer. However, lung cancer receives the lowest amount of research dollars compared to any other major cancer.

To register for our team or donate, please visit:

http://budurl.com/jwcbreathofhope

Full press release:

Third Annual San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk Set for May 1

Walk Benefits Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for Leading Cause of Cancer Death in Nation

SAN DIEGO – For La Jolla resident Mike Stevens, it began with a cough. At 43 years of age, he was a healthy non-smoker with a wife and two kids – he never thought he’d have lung cancer. Over a dozen rounds of chemo therapy and six years later, Stevens is one of the three to five percent of people that survive stage 4 lung cancer.

In 2009, Stevens and three other San Diegan lung cancer survivors started the San Diego Breath of Hope Cancer Walk. This year, the event will be held on Sunday, May 1 in association with Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), the only national nonprofit organization that provides support and advocacy for the lung cancer community. All proceeds will benefit LCA.

“Most people do not know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the nation and in California, taking more lives than breast, colon, prostrate and pancreatic cancers combined,” said Stevens, who is also the co-chair of Lung Cancer Alliance-California. “Our goal is to raise awareness about lung cancer throughout San Diego County and increase early diagnosis and research funding for this deadliest of cancers.”Pre-registration online is $30; on-site registration is $35. Children 12 years old and under are $15. All participants will receive a t-shirt and ticket to the June 4 Padres game. For more information about the San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk or to register, please visit http://www.sandiegobreathofhope.org. For more information about Lung Cancer Alliance, please visit http:// www.lungcanceralliance.org.

The LCA’s San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk, emceed by NBC 7/39’s Whitney Southwick, is a 5K walk that brings together lung cancer survivors, patients, families and friends, among many others. It will be held at Cancer Survivors Park on Harbor Island (4100 North Harbor Drive, San Diego). Registration and expo begin at 7:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 9 a.m.

The walk aims to raise the public’s awareness regarding lung cancer and more specifically address the common myths surrounding the disease. Lung cancer is commonly misperceived as a “smokers’ disease,” but more than 75 percent of all diagnosed cases occur in people who have never smoked or people who have quit smoking. Every year, lung cancer also kills nearly twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer. However, lung cancer receives the lowest amount of research dollars compared to any other major cancer.

The LCA’s San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk is possible because of the generous support of numerous sponsors.  To date, Torchbearer Sponsorship is being provided by NBC 7/39 and Innovator Sponsors include UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and Genentech/(osi) pharmaceuticals. In-kind sponsors include EDCO, Bare Escentuals, La Jolla Printing & Imaging, Palomar Mountain Premium Spring Water and Whole Foods. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Eyres at 202-742-1424.

About Lung Cancer Alliance

Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to providing support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for the disease. LCA’s mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering patients, elevating awareness and changing health policy. Fifty percent of LCA’s work is patient support, with the remaining 50 percent focusing on advocacy and awareness.

Participation and support of LCA’s San Diego Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk allows LCA to continue directly helping patients, survivors and their families each and every day, while raising awareness and advocating for change that is now leveraging multiple millions in public health dollars for lung cancer research and early detection.

###

Six Reasons We’ll Miss Our Intern Brianna Shannon

Brianna Shannon (also known as Bree, B and BMoney Millionaire) has been our PR intern since September, and we’re sad to see her leave J. Walcher. However, we know that she’s ready to enter the “real world” (and we’re not talking the one on MTV – is that still on?) post-graduation and will be an outstanding addition to San Diego’s public relations industry.

Below are the six things we’ll miss most about Bree:

It’s all in the timing. Even when Bree was frustrated about MyMediaInfo (our online media contact database) malfunctioning, she persevered and was able to joke about it. One time she used the company credit card to order a client clip. When she returned the card to Jean she said, “Thanks. Just bought the company a new sports car.” Deadpan.

No task too big or too small. I have never once seen Bree flinch when given a mundane task, such as requesting editorial calendars or researching company addresses, which other interns might find boring or rote. Large projects also don’t scare her, and she is eager for the challenge of writing a press release from scratch or developing a pitch for a national publication about the awesomeness of our South Park neighborhood.

The idea generator. On her second day on the job, we asked her to participate in a brainstorming session regarding a client’s upcoming anniversary. Bree was able to quickly come up with creative ideas. She has found unique community service opportunities for our client, Balanced Bodyworks, and has developed snappy opening lines for the ARDA (American Resort Development Association) award entries that we just sent in for our client, Tapestry Resorts.

Who needs tracked changes? It’s an area that Bree says she still wants to work on, but she is already an excellent writer. The true test is how much red is on the page when Jean gives it back to her, and the returned copy hasn’t resembled a candy cane at all. And as for Bree’s goal to continue to improve her writing; well, that’s the attitude of any good writer.

That To Do list. Bree diligently goes through her inbox and works to complete every project she is assigned. She comes in early and stays late, without persuasion or request. (I often have to tell her that I’m leaving for the day to get her to wrap up.)

Anything Goes At J. Walcher Communications, we don’t just sit at our desks all day – we get involved with our clients, learning the ins and outs of their businesses. For Bree this meant being a model for Bazaar del Mundo’s animal print fashions and answering pub trivia questions at Proper Gastropub (Go Team Mustachios!), among other random tasks.

Brianna, getting her wild side on at Bazaar del Mundo

Santa Claus is coming to town. This story just shows a bunch of Bree’s best characteristics: The morning of our company holiday lunch, Bree and I were talking, and I told her about how I have to remember not to say “Merry Christmas” to Jean, Laura and Jacquie, since they are Jewish. She looks at me with wide eyes and says, “Do you know if they happen to have a Christmas tree, as well?” Bree had bought everyone Christmas ornaments for our holiday gift exchange. She was able to laugh it off, but left the office early and rushed to get everyone a new gift (including me – the only other gentile – because she didn’t want me to feel left out). She arrived a little late to lunch, out of breath and completely apologetic. We all had a good laugh, and everyone was appreciative of her gift-giving thoughtfulness – both times.

So, Miss Bree, your absence will be noticed, but your contributions will continue to positively impact the agency and its clients. We’d hire you if we could, and maybe, one day we still will.

Best to you – we know you’ll do well.

– The J. Walcher team

We’re looking for our next incredible intern. If you think you’ve got what it takes, send us your resume and cover letter.

Job description and requirements below:

J. Walcher Communications is seeking a creative and enthusiastic individual to work part-time as public relations intern (minimum 6 hours per week).

J. Walcher Communications is a boutique agency specializing in local, regional and national public relations, and strategic communication campaigns.  Working in a wide range of industries including real estate, consumer products, professional services, health and fitness, nonprofit and association, sports/entertainment, hospitality, and more, we help our clients build their businesses with smart and effective campaigns that set them apart from the competition.

Scope of Work

The J. Walcher Communications intern will be involved in all aspects of the agency including media relations and research, writing, event coordination, and client and product research for a variety of businesses.  He/She will gain a practical understanding of the public relations industry as well as how to develop the tools necessary to compete and excel in this exciting and growing field.

Specific responsibilities include research, database management, maintaining media lists and client clip files, writing, proofreading, preparing presentation materials, as well as administrative support which includes phones, faxing/scanning, word processing, filing, copying and mail distribution.

Requirements

• A college junior or senior majoring in journalism, public relations or communications or related discipline

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Minimum 3.0 GPA

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, internet and database experience necessary.  Adobe Photoshop and media database knowledge a plus.

• Social media knowledge required

*Internship begins A.S.A.P.

*For College Credit Only

*Flexible Hours

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to:

Email: jacqueline@jwalcher.com

Visit us at www.jwalcher.com

The First TedXSanDiego Conference:

Yesterday, I spent the day out of the office to hear a dozen plus people speak on Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) subjects at the first annual TedXSanDiego conference.

TedXSanDiego is an independently organized non-profit event that brings together innovators, explorers, teachers and learners to discuss the future of their industries, spark deep discussion, connection and inspiration. It’s based on the national TED conference (which you have to know about if you don’t) and I was on a committee of people who helped put the event together.

I was inspired to share a one-two sentence take-away from each speaker (I skipped a couple because I had to do some work) – whether it was a call to action, a fact, an observation or just somebody’s attention-catching opening line:

Nick Pudar/ OnStar                                                                                                                       The tweeting car is coming.

Shannon Spanhake/ Calif. Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology
Potholes are cool; they tell stories about nature vs. built environments.

Christine Comaford/ Executive Coach
What is your big knarly question?

Simon Sinek/ Columbia University
Technology is terrible for creating personal relationships.

Jake Wood/ Team Rubicon
Veterans are an untapped resource for solving many problems facing the world today; veterans helping vs. helping veterans is going to help them recover much more from PTSD and other illnesses.

Tom Yellin/ The Documentary Group
When you educate girls, extraordinary things happen.

Pete Garcia/ San Diego Regional Economic Development Foundation
21st century is the marriage of technology and design; San Diego is rich in technology, science and engineering, but not design…

Kurt Gray, Ph.D./ University of Maryland
Thinking of yourself as a hero just might make you a hero.

Roxana Velasquez/ Director, San Diego Museum of Art
I am the director of an art museum, and I love ugliness.

Dr. Tony Haymet, Ph.D/ Scripps Institute of Oceanography
We’ve been studying algae bio fuels for 107 years, but people have only started caring in the last two.

Jason Russell/ Invisible Children
I’m going to tell you how to murder someone and not get caught.

Bill Toone/Director/ ECOLIFE Foundation
Lead poisoning is the biggest threat to the California condor.

Marty Cooper/ Inventor of the mobile phone
Everybody is going somewhere but no one is where they want to be.

Joe Pine/ Strategic Horizons
Authenticity is what customers really want.

Robert Bilder, Ph.D/ Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA
Right now, our computers are computing at the cognitive level of a lizard. The next wave is personalized brain management.

Eric Topol, M.D./ Scripps Translational Science Institute
Soon, we’ll be able to check our own vital signs on the iPhone.

Gad Shaanan/ Industrial Designer, Gadlight
We are too poor to buy something cheap (quote by Gad’s late father)

James Fowler/ UCSD
Studies show that like minded people stick together; you are 40 percent more likely to be obese if those in your personal network are.

We began and ended the day with an awesome performance by ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, who was inspired to add his own words of wisdom to the day based on his work with children: Kids need to be inspired and passionate about something. I also loved Jean Isaacs from San Diego Dance Theater creating a two-minute dance on stage.

Keep this event on your radar for next year. It’s a good way to stretch your brain a little.

As printed in the Presidio Sentinel, San Diego, July 2010

I’m not sure whether it’s my parents’ depression-era heritage or a natural…um, thriftiness, but if there’s a discount coupon that applies, I don’t leave home without it.

That’s what brought us to a newish Chinese/Japanese cafe in Hillcrest, with a coupon for one free entree with one paid. Service: sweet and warm. Menu and cuisine: good to better. Bill: Whoops! How did the total seem not merely un-discounted, but more than twice what both entrees cost?

Glad you asked. When the waitress asked whether we wanted white or fried rice with each entree, we naturally assumed this accompanied the entrees. The rice, we were surprisingly informed, cost an additional few bucks each. And then there was the tax, which was applied to what the entire bill would have been without the one-free entree. GOTCHA!

A few weeks ago, more than 40 of us reserved a celebration lunch at a popular Mission Valley spot, expecting to be … expected. Yet management provided only one waitress for this crowd, and after an hour of not yet ordering, we two left.

We stopped nearby at a reliable Mexican chain, in which no more than three tables were occupied. The host desk was unattended and nobody showed up, until one harried young man straggled over to say someone would be with us shortly (but alas, not him!) Nothing doing. After another considerable wait, we left.

Just down the street, we next tried a respected Asian restaurant , which, we could see, had a half-full dining room. “Two of us,” we begged, gnawing by then on our knuckles. Sweetly, the hostess said the wait would only be twenty minutes. We left.

We drove around the corner to Denny’s, where, though it was busy enough, we were seated right away, served in short order (got that?) with warmth and efficiency, and had a pretty good lunch.

Now, I have been accused of being especially crabby about restaurant service, and it’s true that there are two eateries I’ll never return to – one, because the proprietor failed to acknowledge or greet me after I’d patronized his establishment every week for three-four years (patience is my sole virtue); another lost my regular business for handling a minor request in a rude and dismissive manner. Bye.

(Note that, except for Denny’s, I haven’t named names. But I will identify them to Presidio Sentinel’s sales staff, who should immediately sell them reputation-saving advertising.)

Having handled publicity, event production and public relations for numerous restaurants over the years, I’ve come to various conclusions about this industry – which right now is experiencing some tough times (and, therefore, a good time to a) issue coupons and b) mind their service.

Lesson #l in restaurants : everything counts. I mean, everything, from the obvious need to prevent this column’s experiences from happening, to whether the waitperson says “you still workin’ on that?” instead of “may I take your plate,?” to the condition of the bathroom, to exquisite personnel training for handling problems that arise. Cuisine and presentation are just the start.

My next-best lesson is that I’ll never own a restaurant. This is an industry at the mercy of “charisma.” Hard to quantify, hard to qualify. An expert and conscientious restauranteur can do everything right – and it can still go wrong, and a customer can be lost. Too much salt, (too little salt), yesterday’s flowers, one, just one tough cut of beef, a waiter’s even brief, disdainful glance, any and all misrepresentations or misleading expectations.

I’m certain I’m not alone in my lack of forgiveness; for better or worse, there are just too many restaurants (competition) to welcome me, and, given that things go well, to whom I will always remain loyal. Until, that is, the first “GOTCHA!”

We are Obama fans, so when we heard that Shepard Fairey, famous for the Obama and Obey art chose our office building in South Park for a mural installation as a part of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego exhibit, Viva la Revolucion, a multifaceted, international exhibition featuring works both in the Museum’s galleries as well as at public sites throughout San Diego, we were excited!

James Brown of Public Architecture who designed and owns our building had submitted it for consideration for one of the site installations.  Fairey and his crew started on a Wednesday and completed it on Friday.  (Ok, and shall we also tell you that one of his crew was Spencer Elden, famous for being the Nirvana baby, pictured on the famous Nevermind album cover.)

The crowd that gathered to watch and catch a glimpse of Shepard was a little overwhelming and distracting to staff (oh well). The first day the young girl with the blue fair followed the crew’s every step from morning to night.  We had fun seeing some of our favorite journalists as they came by to see the progress and didn’t realize our office was there, including Robert Pincus, Nina Garin, Dave Maass, Seth Combs and David Rolland.

Since the art lovers were so accessible, we took the opportunity to put postcards out about client, Lux Art Institute’s latest artist Sati Zech.

Ok, you can see more on our Facebook page; on to the work:

Jean gets adjustment from James

Rob dons the best eye protection in the world - Aqua Sphere goggles (client, yes, but they are great goggles)

It’s moving day at J.Walcher Communications as we get the boot (building’s been sublet) from our grand office on El Cajon Blvd. and make the trek down 30th to our new home in South Park. We’re all rather sad, and we will miss our shared and collaborative office space with Farm Advertising … who moves into the Banker’s Hill/Hillcrest area. Here’s some highlights of our move: Jean gets some pain help from Jacquie’s BF, James, a physical therapy student, and Robert dons a pair of Aqua Sphere goggles to protect his eyes from the shards of dirt and wire that just penetrated his eyeball while packing. Doctor visit to remove only took an hour. See ya on the other end!

Twas the day of our party, I had to wake early

In order to prep – you know, and do all things girlie.

Though our party was not ‘til much later at night,

My schedule that morning was rather quite tight.

I was ahead of the clock as I got in my car

On my way to our segment, for our client Bazaar [del Mundo].

I left early to meet with our spokesperson there,

But on the way to the station, had quite a scare.

The traffic was busy for the morning rush,

And suddenly I heard my car going crush!

I pulled to the side of the road in despair,

And rang up the station – I wouldn’t be there.

My morning was rougher than most mornings go,

But luckily there was no need for a tow.

 With work to be done at the JWalcher that day,

I called up my colleague to take me away.

Robert came to my rescue and took me to work,

A distraction that kept me from going beserk.

More rapid than traffic, the hours they passed,

Until it was time for our party at last!

“Now Sandy! Now, Nick! Now, Kevin and Brad!

Come, Debi! Come, Jason! Come Sarah and Jean!

To the top of the stairs! To FARM’s warehouse in back!

Turn off the computers! Turn off all your Macs!”

As day became night and our guests began to arrive,

They were greeted with drink, food and a band that played live.

Upstairs the FARM-house was all decked out in lights,

And the Caterings by Ina stirred appetites.

Roger Showley appeared in a Santa Claus tie,

You can tell off the bat he’s one festive guy!

Then Angela Titus from the United Way,

We were welcome to have her at this evening’s soriee.

Conversations abound as I moved through the room

Increasing in laughter and overall volume.

Each person there stood with a drink in their hand,

Including CityBeat mag’s David Rolland.

In the corner Matt Gordon and Brian Maienschein,

They exchanged gleeful stories beside trees of pine.

And seated together, there seemed a rapport,

Between Indra Gardiner and Sydnie and Doug Moore.

Then in came a couple who’s pleasantly vocal,

‘Twas Marc and Darlynne of “Travel Like a Local”.

I saw Debbie LaChusa who once worked with Jean,

the reunion between them – a sight to be seen.

The musicians playing had people in awe,

Particularly David and Ms. Reesey Shaw.

Also impressed by these three virtuosa,

Were Kelly Davis and her guest Brian Espinosa.

As the party went on and the merriment flowed

Tom Gable left early, but his thanks, he bestowed.

Steve and Jacqueline Silverman, I instantly liked,

She spelled her name like mine so I was totally psyched!

The hours flew by as we had so much fun,

I was sad that the evening would soon be over and done.

But once we’d drank all the wine and ate all the food,

It looked like it was time for our party to conclude.

As our guests shuffled out and said their adieu’s,

It was clear to be said that one thing was true –

In the infamous words of Michelle Mowad,

Who said “See ya later! This party was rad!”