Reimaging Executive Resume Writing
Have you ever thought about the fact that the top companies in the world hire PR firms to create credible brand awareness, set the right tone for communication, gain visibility, and get better results?
What makes you different?
Life is a business, and you are your own CEO. You are the brand!
- How do you define your brand identity?
- What differentiates you from other job applicants?
- What are you known for?
That’s where we can come in. We aren’t just a resume writing company; we are a boutique executive career PR firm.
Our clients are not looking for a quick solution. They appreciate the thoughtful approach we take to uncovering their unique career story. We are not a resume mill; we intentionally only take on a few clients at a time. Many of our clients tell us that our intake process helped them have a deeper understanding of their strengths and a new appreciation of their accomplishments.
At Briefcase Coach, we specialize in high-touch, executive resume writing and career branding for senior leaders navigating their next big move. Founded by former corporate recruiter Sarah Johnston, our firm combines insider hiring expertise with a personalized, white-glove process. We don’t just write resumes — we craft powerful leadership narratives that set our clients apart in competitive markets. With a proven track record supporting executives earning $200K+ annually, we help clients land roles that align with their vision, value, and impact.
Driven by founder insight, strengthened by a world-class team of specialists
Briefcase Coach was founded a decade ago by Sarah Johnston, a former corporate recruiter who saw too many high-achievers overlooked due to weak career marketing and interview positioning. Having relocated multiple times as a “trailing spouse,” she knows firsthand how to run successful job searches in completely new markets.
She has personally supported over 1,000 diverse executive job search clients from every continent except Antarctica. She was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019, called the owner of the “best resume writing firm for experienced executives” by Balance Careers, and a “top follow” by JobScan in 2019 and 2020.
Trusted Experts
Since launching Briefcase Coach, Sarah has thoughtfully built a team of seasoned experts who share her commitment to excellence. Our coaches and writers bring best-in-class expertise, with advanced academic credentials from renowned institutions such as Emory, Washington University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Columbia. Collectively, the team offers unique insights across industries, including military, finance, healthcare, law, technology, education, and nonprofit, ensuring every client receives tailored, strategic guidance for their career journey.
Read more about Sarah’s story below.
What makes us different?
ATS Compliant Executive Resumes
Briefcase Coach is a recruiter-driven firm. In addition to founder Sarah Johnston, several team members bring senior-level experience in human resources and talent acquisition, giving us a deep understanding of what companies truly look for in candidates. We know how applicant tracking systems (ATS) like WorkDay and iCIMS work — and how recruiters scan resumes — so we ensure every document is both human- and technology-friendly. Our team stays at the forefront of industry best practices by actively engaging with organizations like the Career Thought Leaders Consortium and committing to ongoing learning and professional development.
Excellent Client Outcomes
We get to know our clients and love celebrating their successes! Because we take privacy very seriously and extend a confidentiality agreement to our clients at the start of our engagement, we are unable to share real client stories, resumes, or LinkedIn profiles. Thankfully, these incredible clients of ours love to send us referrals!
Referrals fueled almost 35% of our booked business in 2024, underscoring the lasting relationships and strong results we deliver.
We know that social proof is a significant factor when making a decision. We have over 50 public reviews on LinkedIn or Google Business and many stories on our website.
Do we guarantee success?
No. No legitimate resume writing company will ever offer that promise. It’s impossible to ensure that you’ll land the executive job that you want, in the location you are interested in, at the comp level that you deserve.
We do guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with the final product. We will do everything we can to ensure that you love the documents. That being said, it’s not uncommon for our clients to start getting recruiter calls just weeks after our work is finished.
Another quality indicator is that we see a significant number of “boomerang clients”—or individuals who landed a job and then want to work with us again to position for future promotion or new role.
Sarah Johnston: A Brief Career History
“At the University of Georgia, I took a class through my Leadership Fellowship that encouraged us to reflect on our career goals… as a 20-year-old, I decided my mission was to place people in positions I see them really flourishing.”
— Sarah Johnston
Recruiter Turned Executive Coach
Sarah went to work for one of the largest privately held companies in the southeast. She fell in love with recruiting. Sarah loved meeting diverse, interesting people and was passionate about uncovering their talents, strengths, and dreams.
As a trailing spouse, she’s made multiple cross-country moves for her spouse’s career. Following her husband has meant she’s reinvented herself in cities where she knew no one. She’s an expert networker and friend to all. Her experience job searching in cold markets gives her a unique perspective.
Sarah Johnston Named Top Career Voice
Sarah was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space. Her influence on the platform has allowed her to speak regularly to podcasts job search clubs across the country. Her business, The Briefcase Coach, was named the top executive resume writing firm for experienced executives by Balance Careers. Sarah has been named to HR Weekly’s list of 100 Most Influential People in HR Globally.
Executive Resume Writer and Job Search Coach Based in Durham, NC
Sarah is based in the “Research Triangle” of North Carolina. You can usually find Sarah and her family at the Durham Farmers Market, at a sporting event, or out running on one of the many beautiful trails in Duke Forest.