Public Relations: Careers Q&A - Wayne Fong, Senior Consultant, Weber Shandwick

<p>How did you get into PR? </p><p>I was working for Dragonair in China before I joined Weber Shandwick. I decided I needed a change and at the same time, a friend at Weber Shandwick said that I would make a good PR professional and referred me to the firm. </p><p>What do you enjoy about your job? </p><p>I enjoy talking to the media and getting them to write about my clients - positively! </p><p>What do you dislike? </p><p>Hum ... timesheets? There isn't really anything that I don't like here. Everything comes as a package, and the whole package is really satisfactory. </p><p>How do you handle difficult clients? </p><p>Patience, patience and patience. Clients are always right. I listen to them and try to understand what the problem is. I have learnt never to start an argument with a client. You will always lose. </p><p>Where do you see yourself in 10 years? </p><p>Hopefully, I will be retired by then. If not, I will probably be working around the clock to make sure I can retire the following year. But realistically, I would want to take up a more senior role in communications on the client side. </p><p>Which PR person do you most admire and why? </p><p>There are two and both are from Weber Shandwick - Jill Mortensen shows me what a good leader should be and Mike Wong shows me what I can improve on. </p><p>Any advice for a PR rookie? </p><p>PR requires great patience and tactful and effective communication skills. You also need the willingness to learn new things. Last but not least, you must like meeting people, clients or media, as you will come across more than you can ever imagine. </p><p>Your biggest mistake? </p><p>Getting into PR? Just kidding. I cannot remember any specific incident, but I think for everyone in PR, the biggest mistake could be 'assuming'. Never assume anything about an issue. </p>