Charmaine Pocek, PhDc, MS, CPRW, NCOPE, CEIP, ACRW, PRC
Charmaine Pocek, PhDc, MS, CPRW, NCOPE, CEIP, ACRW, PRC, is a highly accomplished career strategist, five-time certified resume writer, and LinkedIn optimization expert based in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. With over two decades of experience in recruiting and talent acquisition, Charmaine has partnered with leading organizations including Pfizer, Google, Apple, and Johnson & Johnson, helping thousands of professionals craft achievement-driven resumes and compelling LinkedIn profiles. Her approach combines recruiter insight, storytelling, and keyword strategy to ensure her clients not only pass ATS filters but also capture the attention of hiring leaders.
Founder of MyImprovedResume.com and its gig-platform brand Boomsa, Charmaine has scaled her business from a startup to an eight-figure enterprise, fueled by a client loyalty rate of 90% and over 20,000 verified five-star reviews. She is recognized in the top 1% of LinkedIn’s 700 million users, boasting 1,300+ recommendations, and has personally overseen more than 20,000 career documents with a 93% interview success rate. Charmaine’s services extend beyond resume writing, including personalized recruiter introductions, interview coaching, executive career strategy, and personal branding, all tailored to help clients land interviews and secure offers quickly.
Charmaine’s career began in human resources and corporate recruiting, where she filled thousands of positions across biotech, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and executive sectors, achieving top-tier performance metrics and client satisfaction. She also balances her professional life with meaningful community involvement, including founding the Bellaire Chess Club and coaching varsity girls’ soccer to multiple playoff seasons. Currently a PhD candidate in Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics with a Master’s in Human Resources, Charmaine exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning, strategic career development, and helping professionals tell their story with clarity, impact, and confidence.
• Academy Certified Resume Writer ACRW
• Certified Employment Interview Professional
• Certified Professional Resume Writer
• Professional Recruiting Consultant
• The University of Texas Medical Branch - PhD
• Presenter - How to Improve Retention
• Soccer Coach of the Year - Varsity Girls
• Recruiter of the Year - 2005, 2007
• Howard Hughes Scholar
• UTMB Fellow
• Career Development Institute
• Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW)
• National Resume Writers Association (NRWA)
• Resume Writing Academy
• National Soccer Coaches Association of America
• National Society for Human Resource Management
• Society for Human Resources Management
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my foundation in agency recruiting, which taught me how hiring decisions are made behind the scenes. Understanding recruiter psychology, combined with my ability to craft resumes that align with the roles candidates want, has been key to helping people secure interviews—even in highly competitive fields. I have been in recruiting for 20 years, with the past 15 years focused specifically on resume writing and career consulting.
In 2013, I transitioned fully to remote work to create better balance for my family while continuing to support job seekers, particularly those transitioning industries or entering competitive markets. My primary strength lies in helping candidates navigate the job market through expert resume branding, targeted job matching, and a deep understanding of what hiring managers are looking for. My background in agency recruiting enables me to identify transferable skills and position candidates in a way that maximizes their chances of landing interviews.
My greatest achievement is consistently helping clients land roles they initially thought were out of reach. By identifying the right opportunities, restructuring their resumes, and teaching them how to effectively present their skills, I have helped countless candidates secure interviews and job offers—even in challenging markets.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from the mentors I had early in my agency recruiting career. They taught me how to evaluate candidates quickly, communicate effectively with hiring managers, and, most importantly, advocate for job seekers who may not know how to advocate for themselves. Their guidance shaped the way I approach my work and the way I support the candidates I serve.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to invest time in understanding how the hiring process truly works, gain hands-on experience, and practice building confidence when talking about their skills. It’s also crucial to understand personal branding and be intentional about the types of roles you pursue. Developing these skills early can make a significant difference in advancing your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field today is the combination of job saturation, ATS filtering, and highly competitive remote roles, which can make it difficult for candidates to stand out. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities for those who take the time to tailor their resumes, brand their experience effectively, and apply strategically rather than broadly. Candidates who approach the job search with this level of intentionality can significantly improve their chances of success.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are honesty, transparency, and providing realistic guidance. I focus on helping my clients understand the job market clearly, apply only to roles that truly fit their skills, and present themselves authentically—rather than forcing a narrative that doesn’t align with their background.