Sarah Johnston

Sarah Johnston, a former corporate recruiter and industry insider, is dedicated to empowering talented high-achievers by equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in their job search.

Driven by her passion for empowering professionals, Sarah founded the Briefcase Coach, a renowned global executive branding firm. Operating worldwide, the Briefcase Coach has successfully served clients in all 50 states and across six continents. She’s the trusted partner executives turn to—CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, and CXOs—when they need standout personal branding that commands attention and positions them for high-impact leadership and board opportunities.

Sarah was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019 and acknowledged among HR Weekly’s Top 100 Most Influential People in HR. Furthermore, Balance Careers named Sarah’s resume writing firm as the “best” for experienced executives. JobScan named Sarah a “top follow” in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

The Briefcase Coach has been a trusted partner to senior executives for over a decade, serving hundreds of high-achieving professionals with bespoke career marketing services. Known for its white-glove approach, the firm offers five core solutions designed to help clients stand out and succeed:

◆ Behavioral-Based Mock Interviews

The Briefcase Coach provides highly personalized mock interviews conducted virtually via Zoom. These sessions are tailored to help clients confidently navigate tough questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “What’s the toughest decision you’ve made in the past six months?” With deep insight into the executive hiring process, the firm ensures clients are thoroughly prepared for high-stakes conversations.

◆ Executive Resumes, Board Resumes/Bios & Career Collateral

No templates. No forms. Every document is custom-crafted to be visually appealing, ATS-optimized, and packed with quantifiable results. The goal? To have clients say, “Wow—I look great on paper.”

◆ Strategic Job Search Coaching

Designed to help executives move beyond the black hole of online applications, this coaching equips clients to land meetings with decision-makers at top-tier companies—and secure roles they genuinely want.

◆ LinkedIn Training

A longtime LinkedIn super-user, the Briefcase Coach has been training business leaders on how to effectively leverage the platform since 2007. The firm’s training is both strategic and practical, empowering clients to expand their visibility and influence.

◆ Medical CVs for Residents, Fellows, Physicians, Dentists & Podiatrists

Tailored specifically for medical professionals, these CVs showcase academic achievements, clinical experience, and research in a format that aligns with industry standards and expectations.

The Briefcase Coach works with a wide range of senior leaders across industries, specializing in career branding and strategy for executives in high-impact roles. Common titles among their clientele include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The firm also partners with Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO), Chief Information Officers (CIO), Chief Technology Officers (CTO), and Chief Revenue Officers (CRO), as well as leaders holding titles such as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Chief Legal Officer (CLO) or General Counsel, and Chief Product Officer (CPO). Additional clients include Chief Communications Officers (CCO), Presidents, Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs), Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs), and Vice Presidents (VPs) across various functions. The Briefcase Coach also supports Managing Directors, Partners in consulting, law, or private equity firms, Board Directors and Board Chairs, and Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs). These professionals are typically responsible for driving organizational performance, leading teams, and influencing enterprise-level decisions.