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Executive career insight

Fifteen years of writing for senior executives: job search strategy, leadership, negotiation and personal branding.

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August 25, 2026

Eight things to do when the fall hiring season starts

Labor Day restarts the executive hiring cycle. Eight things to do in September and October to use the season properly, whether you…

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August 11, 2026

Job application strategies for senior candidates

Why senior applications get filtered out before a human reads them, and what to do differently. Covers targeting, tailoring…

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August 4, 2026

Building authority online as an executive, without becoming an influencer

How senior leaders build genuine authority online without posting constantly. What to share, where it matters, and why most…

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July 28, 2026

Changing direction mid career, when you have already reached the top of your field

What to do when you have maxed out your field and the obvious next step no longer appeals. A practical look at changing…

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July 14, 2026

Face to face interviews: how to prepare so confidence is the easy part

Nine concrete steps to prepare for a senior-level interview, from researching the panel to the follow up note. Written for…

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August 27, 2025

Is It Time for Change? Turning Career Plateaus into New Possibilities

Have you ever felt like your career has stalled, even though you are working hard and contributing at a high level? That moment is…

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August 27, 2025

Mastering the Art of Negotiation

Securing a new role after a thoughtful career campaign is an achievement worth celebrating. Yet the work is not finished once…

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July 30, 2025

Building a Standout Executive Brand That Opens Doors

Client Profile Role: Chief Strategy Officer Industry: Technology Years of Experience: 22 Situation: Accomplished but…

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July 30, 2025

How One Conversation Sparked a Career Wake-Up Call

Client Profile: Role: Senior Vice President, Operations Industry: Manufacturing and Distribution Years of Experience: 20+…

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July 30, 2025

The Leadership Shift That Changed a Team's Culture

Client Profile Role: Executive Vice President, Strategy Industry: Professional Services Years of Experience: 18 Situation…

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July 28, 2025

The Future Belongs to Those Who Reskill Today

I had coffee with a VP who told me something that stuck: "I used to worry about being replaced by technology. Now I worry about…

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July 28, 2025

Building Your Executive Brand: A Strategic Approach to Leadership Presence

Your executive brand isn't just about having a polished LinkedIn profile or delivering impressive presentations. It's about…

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July 28, 2025

Making the Leap: From Corporate Executive to Board Director

After decades working with corporate leaders, I've seen many talented executives wrestle with the transition to board work. The…

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July 28, 2025

The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Senior Leadership

I've been reflecting on what separates good leaders from truly exceptional ones, and it keeps coming back to the same thing…

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April 15, 2023

Get Smart: Steps to an Organized Job Search

Blog By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified Over the next 6 blog posts, Linda will take you through…

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April 15, 2023

Section 3: Strategic Use of Online Job Boards

Blog By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified Navigating the online job market can be a challenging…

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April 15, 2023

Section 1: Preparing your foundation materials

Blog By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified Section 1: Preparing your foundation materials…

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April 15, 2023

Section 2: Establishing a Daily Job Search Schedule

Blog By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified Developing an effective job search plan is vital for…

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April 15, 2023

Section 4: Tracking Recruiters and LinkedIn

Blog By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified To ensure success in their job search, prospective…

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April 15, 2023

Section 6: Interview Preparation and Skills/Strengths Validation Story

By: Linda Van Valkenburgh, MS, CCMC, CJSS, CSMCS, CELDC, EQ Certified Securing a job can often come down to the interview stage…

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Older articles

Questions people ask before they call

What does the My Executive Career Coach blog cover?

Job search strategy, leadership, negotiation, personal branding and career change for senior executives, written by Linda Van Valkenburgh across fifteen years of writing.

How far back do the articles go?

The archive goes back to 2010, with 157 articles on executive search, positioning, relationships and negotiation.

Can I browse the blog by topic?

Yes. Every article is filed under a category, and the category links at the bottom of each post and on the sitemap page let you read one subject at a time.

How do I ask Linda about something I read?

Take the free assessment or email lindavan@myexecutivecareercoach.com. The complimentary 30-minute consultation is the right place to bring a specific question.