Meet Kelly Roehm

We were lucky to catch up with Kelly Roehm recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I believe everyone carries imposter syndrome in some way, but certain people have learned to control that nudge of doubt. I always tell my clients, “be more delusional.” What I mean by that is sometimes we have to silence our inner critic and just go for it—step into opportunities before we feel ready, because honestly, none of us ever feels 100% ready.

For me, it was about putting myself in situations that scared me—whether it was facing a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, presenting on a moment’s notice, or sharing my thoughts openly on LinkedIn. Each time I pushed myself to do something that felt out of my league, I realized that the hardest part is starting. Once you take that first step, the fear begins to fade, and you realize you can do more than you thought.

I’ve also learned that you can’t outperform your way from criticism. There will always be critics, including our own inner critic who is often the harshest, but criticism is just part of being seen. Everyone deserves to be seen for who they are, what they offer, and the unique value they bring.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear—it’s something I’ve learned to acknowledge and move past. Through practicing self-advocacy and leaning into grit, I’ve pushed myself to face those challenges head-on. And that’s the advice I give to my clients: Just do it. The more you step into scary situations, the more you build the muscle of confidence and resilience. You can’t wait for the fear to go away; you have to push through it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of The Resume Realist, where my mission is to turn ambition into achievement. I work with professionals across industries to help them rewrite their career story through self-advocacy, grit, and powerful personal branding. My focus is on helping people recognize their unique value and giving them the tools to advocate for themselves in their careers.

What’s exciting to me is the transformation I get to witness. People come to me feeling stuck, unsure of their next steps, or questioning their value in the job market. Through coaching, we dig deep into their strengths, their wins, and their impact. It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone shift from doubting their abilities to confidently advocating for their worth in a new role or promotion.

The key to what I do is that I don’t just focus on the technical elements of a good resume or a keyword optimized LinkedIn profile—though I love those, too. I guide my clients through a process of internal reflection, helping them to identify the grit they’ve shown in their careers and how they’ve already been advocating for themselves without realizing it. I believe that when you connect to your purpose and confidently step into your unique value, the opportunities that align with your ambition will follow.

Right now, I’m excited about expanding my services beyond resumes and LinkedIn optimization. I’m launching a new self-advocacy and grit coaching program designed to help professionals become their own best advocates, whether they’re negotiating a raise, stepping into a leadership role, or navigating a career transition. The program includes mock interviews, brand-building exercises, and tools to help clients develop the confidence to show up as the expert they truly are.

My brand is all about helping people unlock their potential and show the world what they’re capable of. And, sometimes, that starts with embracing the idea that being a little more delusional about your capabilities is exactly what’s needed to break through.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that had the biggest impact on my career have been self-advocacy, resilience, and authenticity.

I’ve learned that no one is going to advocate for you better than you can for yourself. Early on, I wasn’t always comfortable speaking up about my accomplishments or asking for what I deserved, but the moment I started advocating for myself, things shifted. My advice? Start small. Practice advocating for yourself in low-stakes situations—ask for feedback, raise your hand for something that terrifies you, and don’t be afraid to remind people of your contributions. Over time, it becomes second nature, and you’ll be ready when it’s time to advocate in those big moments without feeling like you’re bragging.

Resilience has been a constant theme in my journey– most of which I learned from the strong women in my life.. I grew up watching strong women full of resilience that kept going despite the world around them telling them to quit. Resilience isn’t about never failing, we all fail and will continue to fail—it’s about bouncing back after you nose dive. You can achieve great things, but it might not be on the first, second, or hundredth time.

For a long time, I tried to fit into boxes that weren’t made for me, and I looked to my work to validate me as a person. I thought if I could just get one more promotion, be the highest performer, or get the right accolades that I’d finally make it. That striving makes it easy to get away from your authentic self– you shape and shift to meet the expectations of others. My advice for those starting their career? Don’t be afraid to be you. Lean into your strengths, your quirks, your experiences, and figure out how they add value to your work, to others, and to who you are. The more you embrace your authenticity, the more aligned you’ll be with the opportunities that are right for you.

Through my career, I’ve coached hundreds of people and invested in my own self-development, I’ve found that the combination of these three qualities—self-advocacy, grit, and authenticity—are the foundation for career well-being. When you practice these regularly, you create the kind of momentum that can transform your career.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who’s ambitious but might feel a little stuck, unsure of how to push past their current situation, or ready to take their career in a new direction. Whether you’re aiming for the next promotion, navigating a career transition, facing a toxic boss, or stepping into a leadership role, my ideal client knows they have more to offer—they just need the right guidance and tools to unlock it.

The people I work best with are:

Willing to Look Inward: You’re open to reflecting on your strengths and recognizing what’s been holding you back. We’ll dive into your wins, challenges, and the parts of your career story that haven’t been fully explored yet. If you’re willing to dig deep, I’m right there with you.

Hungry for Growth: You’re not looking for a quick fix or a simple resume update. You want to build something lasting—whether that’s mastering self-advocacy, developing grit, or aligning your career with your true value. You’re ready to challenge yourself, and I’ll be by your side every step of the way.

Ready to Push Beyond the Comfort Zone: Growth doesn’t happen by staying comfortable. My ideal client is ready to take bold steps, whether that’s negotiating for a raise, speaking up in meetings, or stepping into a new opportunity.

One other thing—I love working with clients who can keep a sense of humor, even through the tough moments. Career growth can be challenging, but when you can laugh along the way, it makes the process not only more enjoyable but also more empowering.

Working with me is a mix of practical, no-nonsense advice and deep reflection. I’ll challenge you to rethink how you see yourself and your strengths, and together we’ll work through the discomfort of advocating for yourself, building resilience, and making bold moves. In the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of your unique value and the confidence to own it.

If you’re ready to take charge of your career, advocate for your worth, and keep a sense of humor through it all—then we’ll make an incredible team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theresumerealist.com
• Instagram: @theresumerealist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylroehm/

Image Credits

Mavrick Valentine