Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Assistant

at Partners for Rural Impact

🏢 About Partners for Rural Impact

Partners for Rural Impact is unique because it focuses exclusively on improving economic mobility for the 14 million young people in rural America through a collaborative, place-based approach. Working here means contributing to a national mission that connects rural leaders, policymakers, and funders to create systemic change in often-overlooked communities.

About This Role

As Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, you'll be the operational backbone for priority initiatives, managing complex scheduling, coordinating projects, and drafting communications that advance rural impact goals. This role is impactful because you'll enable leadership to focus on strategic partnerships and policy work that directly affects young people's futures in rural communities.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might begin by reviewing the EVP's calendar, coordinating a virtual meeting with rural community leaders in different time zones, then drafting talking points for an upcoming policy briefing. In the afternoon, you could track progress on a place-based partnership initiative, document decisions from a cross-functional team meeting, and arrange travel for site visits to rural program locations.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Partners for Rural Impact Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years supporting C-suite or senior executives in nonprofit or education sectors, with experience tracking multi-stakeholder projects
  • Demonstrates exceptional technical writing skills through samples of briefing memos, reports, or presentations for executive audiences
  • Is proficient in Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint for presentations) and adaptable to organization-specific software used in remote collaboration
  • Shows genuine interest in rural education, economic mobility, or place-based initiatives through previous work or volunteer experience

📝 Tips for Applying to Partners for Rural Impact

1

Highlight specific experience coordinating remote meetings and managing executive calendars across time zones, since this is a fully remote US position

2

Include a writing sample or portfolio link showcasing briefing memos, talking points, or reports you've drafted for executives

3

Mention any familiarity with rural communities, education nonprofits, or economic mobility initiatives to show mission alignment

4

Quantify project coordination achievements (e.g., 'managed 3 simultaneous initiatives with 15+ stakeholders') rather than just listing responsibilities

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'priority projects tracking,' 'meeting logistics,' and 'internal/external communications'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're specifically drawn to Partners for Rural Impact's mission of supporting rural youth, not just any executive assistant role", "Provide a concrete example of how you've coordinated complex projects with clear timelines and deliverables for executives", 'Describe your approach to drafting first versions of communications (talking points, presentations) that save executive time', 'Mention your ability to work remotely while maintaining strong collaboration and follow-through with distributed teams']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Partners for Rural Impact's specific programs and partnerships mentioned on their website to understand their approach to place-based change
  • → Research current challenges facing rural youth education and economic mobility to speak knowledgeably about the context
  • → Look up the Executive Vice President's background and recent public appearances to understand their priorities and communication style
  • → Review their annual report or impact metrics to understand how they measure success in rural communities
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you manage the EVP's calendar when coordinating with rural community leaders, policymakers, and funders across different time zones?
2 Describe your process for taking a rough idea from an executive and turning it into a polished presentation or briefing memo
3 How do you prioritize and track multiple initiatives when deadlines overlap? Provide a specific example
4 What experience do you have with place-based or rural-focused initiatives, and why does this mission resonate with you?
5 How would you handle scheduling a high-stakes meeting with policymakers when the EVP has back-to-back commitments?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic application materials that don't mention rural communities, economic mobility, or place-based initiatives
  • Focusing only on administrative tasks without demonstrating project coordination or strategic communication skills
  • Failing to provide specific examples of supporting executives in remote or distributed work environments

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Partners for Rural Impact!

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