by Karen Alphonse | Sep 25, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: You suggest as a search strategy to build relationships with a range of organizations within my field. Building those relationships seems like a long-term strategy. Is there networking I can do in the short run to improve my chances of locating my next position?... by Karen Alphonse | Sep 18, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have been researching positions in the nonprofit field dealing with the growing economic and social concerns related to poverty, unemployment and hunger in the United States. Because these are particularly challenging times, it seems the focus of my application... by Karen Alphonse | Sep 11, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am a successful, junior executive in the hospitality industry, and I have four pending job offers. All came to me by referral, and I will get a considerable bump up in compensation by taking any one of them. I am in the middle of my career and calculate having... by Karen Alphonse | Sep 4, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have been consulting on economic development issues for a while and want to step into a leadership role as an Executive Director or a Chief Operating Officer. I have been applying for positions, but I am not getting call backs. What should I do? A: Without... by Karen Alphonse | Aug 28, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: Lately, I am feeling like a failure. It is the middle of life, and I have nothing to show professionally for all of my past efforts. I have degrees from two prestigious universities and a decade worth of “flat” achievement. I have sent out a ton of resumes,... by Karen Alphonse | Aug 21, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have made it to the second round of interviews for a position that interests me, and I need to address salary. I am a female executive with 20 years’ of solid, leadership experience. How should I go about approaching this sensitive issue? A: Earlier in my... by Karen Alphonse | Aug 14, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am a senior leader seeking a foundation executive role. I have had a difficult time penetrating this market even though I am well-connected in my community. What do you suggest? A: I see you already value connections and connectedness. At this point, work... by Karen Alphonse | Aug 7, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am applying to an organization I know. Grant procurement is a big piece of my job, and the organization is an upstream grantor organization. Do you have any tips about how to approach the group? A: This can be a tricky, yet wonderful, opportunity to showcase... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 31, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am so frustrated with my job search that I do not know what to do with myself. I have been at it for almost two years. I keep sending out cover letters and resumes to opportunities posted on the Web. No one acknowledges my applications. I have had a couple of... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 24, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: Throughout my career, I have not only done marketing, but it’s also pretty much all I have done. I want to expand my leadership options. What do you suggest? A: Now is a great time for you to identify what actually comprises marketing and understand how those... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 17, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I liked the cover letter you drafted, but, somehow, it sounded more driven and business-like than I am. Should this concern me? What do you suggest? A: Revise it immediately. It is critical for the cover letter to be an accurate snapshot of you and not of just... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 10, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I live in Portugal and want to relocate to the United States. I work for an international educational and economic development organization. My spouse is a physician and has limited English speaking skills. I am fluent in English. However, it has been a while... by Karen Alphonse | Jul 3, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: Recently, I have reached out to people in my networks for support and help. A few have been helpful, but the vast majority have been either unresponsive or they have completely ignored me. This is aggravating. I know the best networking happens with people you... by Karen Alphonse | Jun 5, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: It feels I have sent my resume to a hundred employers during the past two months, but I have not had a single interview or call-back. What’s wrong? I thought I had a pretty good resume and cover letter. The lack of feedback makes me wonder about the quality of my... by Karen Alphonse | May 29, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am a very Senior (C-Suite) executive and I want to redo my resume. Should it be chronological or functional? What do you suggest? A: As a senior executive, you have many options for creating a sophisticated resume. These days, you do not necessarily need to... by Karen Alphonse | May 22, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am an in-house candidate in a hot, national executive director search. I know everyone on the Search Committee as well as many of the key stakeholders. How can I competitively present myself? What steps should I take to have them take me seriously? A: Your... by Karen Alphonse | May 15, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I have a phone interview scheduled next week? What do I say? How do I prepare for it? A: The phone can be a tricky venue, and there are a number of aspects to it you need to consider. The first aspects are with regard to your execution of a phone... by Karen Alphonse | May 8, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I was born outside the United States. Should I include this information on my resume? Should I talk about it in my cover letter? A: Unless the prospective job deals with your country or region of origin, avoid referencing it on your resume or in your cover letter.... by Karen Alphonse | May 1, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I was born, bred and educated in the Midwest. Since graduation three years ago, I have been working as a program director at a local not for profit. My particular program has been quite successful. However, the organization is in jeopardy because of the loss of... by Karen Alphonse | Apr 17, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am discouraged, upset and depressed about my job search. What should I work on next? My resume? Or …? A: Without a doubt, work on yourself first. For now, set aside the resume, and stop typing the cover letter. No document will hide your frustration and...