His Dream: Get Out of the Office to Run for Office

Julian Sirull is restless. He wants to be an elected official in the hurly-burly of public life. Instead, he sells commercial insurance. He loves the outdoors, where he can meet people and discuss current events. But he spends his days in an office staring at a computer screen, answering phone calls.

Sirull’s political aspirations aren’t just Walter Mitty-ish fantasy. He ran for the California Assembly in 1994 against incumbent Debra Bowen in the South Bay. The Republican challenger campaigned on tax cuts for businesses, workers’ compensation reform and support for a ban on assault weapons. But he could raise no more than $25,000, less than a third of what Bowen had in her war chest. Bowen prevailed and went on to be elected to the state Senate last year.

Weary from the struggle of raising campaign funds while holding a job, Sirull, now 41, temporarily retired from the political scene. He moved to San Diego and found work selling accounts-receivable credit insurance. He asked himself hard questions about his dream, such as “How am I going to make a living from politics?” And he toyed with other aspirations. Maybe he could be a radio show host. Or a voice-over actor.

All he knew for sure was that he wasn’t happy.

Los Angeles career counselor Susan Miller helped Sirull clarify his objectives, then create an action list for pursuing his goals. Sirull admitted he still was stuck on politics, despite its troublesome challenges.

“Unfortunately, like thousands of people in L.A., I have a big goal that I don’t want to give up,” Sirull said. “Not everyone can be a governor or a senator, I know, but I still want to run for public office, even [against] the odds.”

“Success, Julian, is the progressive realization of a worthy goal,” Miller answered. “You’re on the road to that goal, and I urge you to keep taking baby steps toward it.”

Miller encouraged Sirull to first strive for a more fulfilling “transition career” not too far removed from his present job. Because Sirull likes sales and believes he’s quite skilled at it, he and Miller discussed some sales jobs that might allow him to get outside, make new contacts and maybe even reduce his administrative chores. There are limits to what he willconsider--Sirull requires at least $80,000 annually for a “comfort level,” he said. “I’m not willing to accept low wages to pursue a dream.”

Miller and Sirull came up with a few possibilities: biotechnology products, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and financial or insurance software. But how could an insurance agent snag one of these sales positions? Several times in the past, he’d responded to classified ads that described tantalizing positions--”jobs that I seem perfect for,” Sirull said. But the employers didn’t call.

“I’m afraid I’m being pigeon-holed because of my background in insurance and finance,” Sirull said.

*

Miller said Sirull needed to take a series of steps to improve his chances of securing more satisfying work. At the same time, Sirull could also explore his longer-term aspirations: politics, and maybe even voice-over work and radio hosting.

* Take charge of your job search. Sirull was committing the first deadly sin of a job hunt by focusing on classified ads. Instead, Miller said, Sirull should take a more active approach. He should research fast-growing companies, learn about their objectives, business and products, then send letters to their appropriate department managers, introducing himself and his skills. After waiting a week, Sirull should then call the letters’ recipients and offer to deliver his resume in person.

“Especially with sales, never leave the ball in their court,” Miller said. “Show them your selling skills when you sell yourself.”

* Create a second resume. Sirull’s resume was well-composed, said Miller, but its heavy emphasis on finance and insurance might leave employers from other fields wondering whether Sirull was a one-profession guy.

Miller had Sirull draft a second resume that highlighted his transferable skills and abilities in a “Qualifications” section. Here, he could list his sales talents, marketing expertise and business achievements, including an MBA from Babson College in Massachusetts.

Sirull was skeptical that the format would work. “If I received a resume like this, I might think the guy listed his qualifications because he’d never done anything,” Sirull said. But Miller assured him that, because many people speed-read resumes, such a section would help to grab their attention.

* Collect “kudos letters” and work samples. Sirull needed to get flattering recommendations from past bosses, co-workers and clients, Miller said. These could be presented to potential employers during interviews, after meetings and even as attachments to introductory letters that advertise Sirull’s suitability for job openings.

When Sirull worried aloud that one or two former business associates might not proffer such letters, Miller expressed concern.

“This could be an indication of a problem, if someone says no,” she said. Miller encouraged Sirull to call his former colleagues and ask for their help. He should also keep on hand some non-proprietary samples of his work--for example, a PowerPoint presentation he created--to impress employers-to-be, should he be granted interviews.

* Bolster computer skills. Sirull dislikes computers and would be happiest avoiding them during work hours. But Miller assured him that, in just about all professions, computer literacy has become important. She was surprised to learn that Sirull didn’t have an e-mail address. She urged him to get one immediately and to include it on his resume with his other contact information. Miller also asked Sirull to take a few computer courses to enhance his skills. Begrudgingly, Sirull said he might.

* Anticipate the “Yes, buts . . . “ No job candidate is perfect. Potential employers may raise misgivings about an interviewee’s background, skills, education or work history. Those who can overcome these “yes buts,” as Miller calls them, stand a better chance of getting hired.

Because Sirull was terminated from a job some years back, he should be sure he’s able to adeptly and honestly explain his departure. And if an employer worries that Sirull lacks experience in a new field, Sirull should have ready answers to counter the misgivings. He can cite examples of ways he’s used applicable skills. He can mention past projects, training and on-the-job experiences that show him to be competent at the new profession.

* Approach show biz with realistic expectations. Thousands of people in Los Angeles hear an announcer say, “Got milk?” and think, “I can do that.” But they’d probably be surprised at how difficult and competitive the voice-over business is. Only a tiny minority of voice-over talent earns solid, full-time wages. The field is populated by experienced actors and radio broadcasters who like the idea of spending 15 minutes to an hour doing recitations that could earn them $1,200--or much more in special cases.

“Very few jobs require as little preparation as voice-overs do, which can generate hundreds of dollars a day for people,” said Valerie Smaldone, a radio personality at New York’s 106.7 Lite FM, who estimates that she’s done more than 1,000 voice-overs, commercials and news promos in the last 20 years. “So just about every actor wants to get these gigs to pay the rent.”

Added Susan Berkley, a top voice-over talent who is heard saying “Thank you for using AT&T;” by many a phone caller: “The misconception is that all you need for this work is a nice voice, but you need talent, training and technique. It’s a craft.”

Sirull said that, in the near future, he may take voice-over classes and possibly even dabble in the field. Because he has a slight Boston accent, he’ll probably have to learn to speak more standardized American English, experts say.

Breaking into radio hosting may prove equally daunting for Sirull. It’s a notoriously competitive profession. And job security is virtually nil. Radio hosts can be sent packing with little notice, after a bad ratings period, listener surveys, focus group results or management changes. It’s also not a field for anyone hoping to get rich quick.

“This really is a business where you have to pay your dues,” said Jimmy Baron, a morning show co-host on Atlanta’s WNNX. “You put in a number of years until you can earn a livable wage. Then you have to work your way up to bigger markets.”

Beginning radio hosts may earn $15,000 a year to start. Some even work for free, just to grab precious air time. Many learn microphone technique, equipment handling and broadcasting at college. Others intern at any of the nation’s more than 10,000 stations, hoping for the chance to debut in one of the less popular slots--graveyard shift, weekends and holidays.

Sirull still thinks about radio hosting, but it’s his dream career, politics, that keeps him enraptured.

* Politics requires money, volunteer work. “The best advice I can give a politician is be really rich,” joked James Moore, professor of political science at the University of Portland.

Today, according to political experts, a “meaningful campaign” in Los Angeles County--even at the state Assembly level--can cost more than $100,000. That doesn’t include such extras as the advice of a professional political consultant. Nor does it count lost income that a working candidate would sacrifice while on the campaign trail. Sirull will have to impress deep-pockets donors in his district and wrangle independent income of his own, if he hopes to wage a successful campaign.

Dallas-based political consultant Susan Hyde suggests that Sirull perform volunteer work and join such clubs as Rotary, Lions or Kiwanis that will offer him the chance to perform community service.

“He should develop a record of service,” said Jack Pitney Jr. of the Department of Government at Claremont-McKenna College. “So when he presents himself to voters, he can show what he’s already done for the community.”

*

Other steps that might advance Sirull’s political ambitions include “walking his district” (visiting factories, apartment complexes, offices and public sites) to introduce himself to constituents, polling voters to learn about their concerns, attending local government meetings, publicizing a cause to which he’s devoted, and presenting an “everyman” image to voters.

“This is one of the best times in the history of the U.S. to [run for office], because we don’t like politicians right now,” said Moore. “It’s a good thing not to have it in your background. You can say, ‘I’m just like you. I’m going to be a citizen legislator.’ And if you can make this message work, people will vote for you.”

Sirull’s single status may work against him, though, because experts say there remains a bias toward married candidates.

“The No. 1 rule of a political consultant is to get a picture of the candidate with the family, with babies on his knee,” said Hyde, who’s had 20 years’ experience in the field.

Although she commends Sirull for his bold dreams of electoral victories, she cautions him to thoroughly research the Pandora’s box that awaits many elected officials. Consult with people in office, she warns. Ask them what their lives are like.

“Understand what you’re getting into. Then decide if you really want to do this,” she said. “I’ve seen many people have their businesses ruined, their health ruined. I’ve seen them get fired from jobs, and I’ve seen it destroy their families. If you make enemies, they might release adverse publicity against you, while others are looking into your past to find anything they can use.”

Sirull, however, is unfazed. Yes, he conceded his single status may put him at a slight disadvantage. But he has plans to work on that too.

“Maybe my next step will be a relationship make-over,” he joked.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Ready for a Change

Name: Julian Sirull

Current occupation: Insurance sales

Desired occupation: Politician

Quote: “I love being out, meeting people, shaking hands and talking about politics, but I’m not doing any of that in the job I’m in.”

Counselor’s recommendation: “Transition” sales job, while pursuing political career.

*

Meet the coach: Susan Miller is a national certified career counselor and certified vocational evaluator. She has conducted private-practice career counseling in Los Angeles for more than 15 years.

*

Tips From the Coach

Here are some thngs that Susan Miller says to keep in mind when writing a cover letter:

1) Individualize each cover letter and set it up in business format.

2) Don’t address the letter “Dear Sir or Madam.” And, if possible, don’t direct it to the human resources department. Send it to the person who oversees the position you want.

3) In the letter’s first paragraph, explain how you learned about the company, what you know about it and why you’re contacting this employer.

4) In the second paragraph, show how your skills and qualifications apply to the open job. Demonstrate how your background relates to the job’s criteria (for example, “As you can see from my resume ...”)

5) In the third paragraph, say that you will call to set up a meeting with the prospective employer. Phone seven to 10 days after you mail the letter.

6) Proofread for spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes before you send the letter. The correspondence is an example of your writing skills.

7) Keep copies of all cover letters you send and maintain records of all your follow-up activities.