What was the best piece of career advice you have received so far?
Actually, it was from a woman back in Canada who was on the news that I really respected and I interned at her station, and I remember her saying flat out, “You have what it takes to do television,” and the second piece of advice I was given was from Mark Kriski. I remember him saying he was packing up to come to L.A., and I said, “Oh my God, you’re so lucky!” and he said, “Oh you’ll get there. No doubt, that you’re gonna come to L.A.” And I did.
Before landing a job at Good Day L.A. what was your toughest job?
I loved all my TV gigs. The hardest part is waking up in the morning. When I did the Canadian Network, I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. That was the worst part. I hated that because I’m a night owl. I moved from my family and my boyfriend. I basically worked holidays for ten years and did all that stuff, but I was always on air and I loved it—every minute of it.
What is the best part of your job?
Oh my God! I love my job so that’s the best part of my job! Believe me, there were times in this career where I’ve not been happy or for certain reasons but everyday the alarm clock goes off I’m so grateful that get to go and do what I do and have an amazing time doing it and get paid for it. It’s crazy.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
Just the hours at this point. I’m on cruise control. I don’t prepare. I don’t know who the guests are the day before. I just have fun. I have so much fun at work. I think the hours are the most challenging. I have to go to bed at 8 p.m. every night. You can’t have dinners at 8 p.m. I don’t have that luxury. I miss that, but I’m done everyday at 10 a.m. It’s like the best gig in the world.
What have been the major motivating factors for you on your career path?
Well, it’s changed. When I was first starting onair I would work any job, and I took every job most jobs open other doors now I’m a little more selective, you know, I love being with my family. I’m not just grabbing any job there is. I’m very selective about it. I’m not as ambitious as I was, god! I mean I’m 42. I don’t want to be out there, you know, I’m just totally content were I’m at. I love it. So I’ve slowed down a lot.
Do you think it’s better to just ignore the rules when it comes to pursuing a career?
I don’t even know the rules! So yeah, I just think outside of the box is my No. 1 piece of advice. I have had people tell me all along that my look was too this or too that for television news, and I just ignore it the entire time and thank God I did because being who I am, has taken me far. I still get called in, it’s so stupid. But I just, I go, “Ok, whatever you like,” and go back to doing whatever I was doing the next day. I just don’t care.
Have any tips for making a good impression with a prospective employer?
Oh my God! I think I make the worst impressions! Honest to God, I go in and I verbal diarrhea. I don’t know how I’ve come so far when I think about who I am as a person. I literally am always myself. Some people dig it, and some people don’t, and the ones that don’t, don’t hire me. That’s fine. I kind of get paid to be who I am.
What’s the best way to make a good impression with a new boss?
You are asking the wrong girl! I get called in all the time. I used to get so much shit at work. I don’t know how to impress the boss. I kid you not! I almost got called in today. The only reason they kept me was because viewers liked me, that was it! They were like “Damn it! Gosh, I wish people didn’t like her!” I’m very lucky to be in this position and to have a boss that kind of puts up with it.
How do you manage to get along with your coworkers?
They piss me off and I piss them off, but we don’t try to fake it. It’s not faking at all. It can’t be. It’s just not in my nature.
In your opinion, what would make for an ideal work environment?
Oh my God! Regis and Kelly, that’s my favorite show! I had a shot to do it and obviously they picked the right girl. Kelly is perfect. That’s a great show! I want to be in front of an audience, I miss that. I just think it’s fantastic. That would be my dream show.
So if you could trade jobs with anyone it would probably be Kelly Ripa?
I would probably it would be Kelly Ripa in a heartbeat. Or, I would be on the Howard Stern Show. I would be either sitting beside Robin Quivers, or I would do Robin’s job.
What would be your most embarassing on-set experience?
Honestly, I don’t have any embarrassing moments because I don’t care. I really don’t. I’ve never been embarrassed on the air. I’ve been surprised. Like maybe my husband’s shown up or the baby, but I don’t have embarrassing moments at all. Today, Djimon Hounsou was on the show and I thought he was in a movie with Monique, and he was like “No. Wrong movie,” and I was like, “Oh really?” It’s just funny to us. It’s just life. It’s not brain surgery, you know. It’s just entertainment. Whatever.
What final career advice can you offer our readers?
Be persistent and work. Be willing to take that shit job in Boise, Idaho at 3 a.m. running coffee to the anchors that treat you like a peon. It’s really learning about the business. I have always believed every door opens another. It has in my career. So even though, there are doors that get slammed, it’s all for a reason. Don’t try to be anything you’re not because what’s the point?
For more from Jillian Barberie Reynolds, visit askjillian.com
By Jillian Gordon
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