Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Rodman.
Hi Gabrielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I moved from New York City to Nashville post the COVID-19 pandemic, I never imagined I would end up building a business dedicated to helping people transform their careers.
My professional journey began in recruiting with a staffing agency, where I developed a deep understanding of the hiring process and what employers look for in top candidates. From there, I pivoted into the luxury fashion industry, which brought me to New York City and expanded my experience in executive support, operations, and client service. While working full-time in Human Resources, I earned my master’s degree in Global Human Resource Management, further strengthening my passion for talent development, leadership, and helping people reach their full potential.
When I relocated to Nashville, I didn’t know anyone. Looking for a way to connect with the community, I joined the Nashville Girls Facebook group, which has more than 60,000 members. I quickly noticed a common theme—women were regularly asking for help with resumes, interview preparation, career transitions, and re-entering the workforce after taking time away.
Supporting and advocating for other women has always been something I care deeply about, so I began helping people in my spare time during evenings and weekends. What started as answering a few questions quickly turned into something much bigger. The results spoke for themselves. Women who had submitted more than 80 job applications without receiving a single interview suddenly began landing interviews. Others doubled their salaries, earned promotions, successfully changed careers, or regained the confidence to return to the workforce after years away.
As those success stories spread, referrals began pouring in. It became clear that I had found a way to make a meaningful impact, and I simply couldn’t keep up with the growing demand. That’s when I decided to officially launch Career Building Basics—a name inspired by my belief that lasting career success begins with mastering the fundamentals that so many people are never taught.
Nearly four years later, Career Building Basics has grown almost entirely through word-of-mouth referrals and client success stories. I’ve had the privilege of helping more than 300 professionals across a wide range of industries strengthen their resumes, optimize their LinkedIn profiles, prepare for interviews, negotiate higher salaries, and confidently pursue new opportunities. Many of my clients have secured dream jobs, significantly increased their earning potential, or successfully re-entered the workforce after career breaks.
Alongside Career Building Basics which I still focus on at nights and on weekends, I continue to work in a global Human Resources. Remaining active in corporate HR allows me to stay at the forefront of hiring trends, leadership development, and evolving workplace expectations, ensuring that the guidance I provide is practical, current, and grounded in real-world experience.
I’m incredibly grateful that this work has been recognized through multiple local and national honors, including being named the 2025 Nashville Emerging Leader Award winner in the Human Resources category, along with other industry awards and a feature on Nashville’s Local on 2. While those recognitions are an incredible honor, they are not what motivates me.
What drives me is receiving a message from someone who tells me they finally landed the job they thought they weren’t qualified for, doubled their salary, or regained the confidence to believe in themselves again. Those moments remind me why I started this business in the first place.
At its heart, Career Building Basics has never been just about resumes. It’s about empowering people to recognize their value, tell their stories with confidence, and create opportunities that can truly change the trajectory of their lives. I believe everyone deserves access to the tools, knowledge, and support needed to build a career they love, and I’m proud that what began as helping a few women online has grown into a business that continues to impact hundreds of professionals throughout Nashville and beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any entrepreneur, my journey hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. Building Career Building Basics as a one-woman business has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also required resilience, long hours, and an unwavering commitment to the people I serve.
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing demand while doing everything myself. I wear every hat in the business—from career strategist and resume writer to marketer, client coordinator, social media manager, and accountant. Many evenings and weekends are spent working because I genuinely want every client to receive the time, attention, and quality they deserve. As demand has grown, I’ve had to learn how to manage my workload without compromising the personalized experience that has become the foundation of my business.
Another challenge has been helping job seekers navigate patience during what is often one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Many clients come to me after unexpected layoffs, financial hardship, workplace burnout, or months of rejection. They aren’t simply looking for a better resume—they’re carrying fear, uncertainty, and sometimes a loss of confidence in themselves.
I often become one of the first people they confide in. They share deeply personal stories about supporting their families after losing a job, questioning their professional worth, returning to the workforce after years away, or wondering if they’ll ever find another opportunity. While my role is to help them secure interviews, it often extends far beyond career coaching. It requires empathy, encouragement, and helping people rediscover confidence they didn’t realize they had lost.
Watching someone go from feeling defeated to calling me with news that they received an offer is one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. Those moments remind me why I continue doing this work. Every challenge—whether it’s the long hours, the emotional investment, or the demands of running a business alone—has reinforced my belief that meaningful careers have the power to change lives. Knowing I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of people regain confidence, provide for their families, and step into new opportunities makes every obstacle worthwhile.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Career Building Basics was built on one simple belief: every person deserves to feel confident in their career journey and have someone genuinely invested in their success. What started as a passion for helping others has grown into a business that has empowered hundreds of professionals—from recent graduates and individuals re-entering the workforce to executives, veterans, career changers, and women returning after career breaks—to secure meaningful opportunities.
I specialize in providing a true white-glove career services experience. Every client receives individualized attention, strategic guidance, and documents that are thoughtfully crafted to tell their unique professional story. I never use templates or a one-size-fits-all approach. Every resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and interview strategy is customized to align with each client’s goals, strengths, and the evolving job market.
My background in Human Resources and Talent Development gives me a unique perspective that sets my work apart. I understand how recruiters, hiring managers, and applicant tracking systems evaluate candidates because I’ve worked on both sides of the hiring process. That insider knowledge allows me to position clients strategically while ensuring their materials resonate with both technology and the people making hiring decisions.
Career Building Basics offers comprehensive career services, including professional resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, customized cover letters, interview coaching, career consultations, job search strategy, and personal branding support. My goal isn’t simply to help someone apply for a job—it’s to equip them with the confidence, tools, and strategy to build a long-term, fulfilling career.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the number of resumes I’ve written—it’s the lives I’ve had the privilege to impact. I’ve celebrated with clients who landed their dream jobs after months of unemployment, helped women confidently return to the workforce after stepping away to raise their families, coached professionals through layoffs and career transitions, and watched clients who once doubted themselves rediscover their confidence. Those moments are the reason I do this work.
What truly sets Career Building Basics apart is my unwavering commitment to every client who trusts me with their story. I don’t see people as transactions or documents to complete. I see individuals with goals, families, aspirations, and unique experiences that deserve to be represented authentically. My clients know they have someone in their corner who genuinely cares about their success, celebrates their wins, and remains invested long after our work together is complete. That personal connection, combined with strategic HR expertise and a white-glove approach, is what makes Career Building Basics different.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m always looking for resources that help me grow both professionally and personally. Because my work centers around helping people navigate their careers, I make it a priority to stay informed about hiring trends, leadership, AI, and the evolving world of work.
I’m currently studying for my SHRM certification, which has been an exciting opportunity to deepen my expertise in human resources, employment law, talent management, and workplace strategy. Continuing my professional education is important to me because it ensures I’m providing my clients with current, informed guidance that’s aligned with today’s hiring landscape and HR best practices.
I’m also an avid listener of podcasts like The Diary of a CEO, How I Built This, and WorkLife with Adam Grant. I enjoy hearing the stories behind successful entrepreneurs and learning how influential leaders think, solve problems, and build meaningful organizations. Those conversations continually inspire me to improve both as a business owner and as a career strategist.
Books have also had a significant influence on my approach. Atomic Habits by James Clear reinforced the power of small, consistent improvements, while Dare to Lead by Brené Brown shaped how I approach leadership with authenticity, courage, and empathy. Those principles guide the way I support clients through what is often one of the most important transitions of their lives.
On a daily basis, I leverage AI to enhance my work while keeping the human connection at the center of everything I do. AI allows me to research hiring trends and streamline administrative tasks giving me more time to focus on coaching, strategy, and building meaningful relationships with my clients.
I also regularly follow HR thought leaders, recruiters, and labor market research to stay ahead of changes in recruiting and talent acquisition. The employment landscape changes quickly, and I believe my clients deserve advice that reflects today’s realities—not yesterday’s.
More than any book, podcast, or certification, though, my greatest source of learning has been the hundreds of clients I’ve had the privilege to work with. Every conversation teaches me something new about resilience, reinvention, and the incredible strength people have when they’re willing to invest in themselves. That perspective continues to shape me as both an HR professional and the founder of Career Building Basics.
Pricing:
- Resume Writing $150 ($45 rush fee for 24hr turnaround)
- Career Consultation $250
- Cover Letter Construction $85
- Interview Preparation $150
- LinkedIn Optimization / Branding $175
Contact Info:
- Website: https://careerbuildingbasics.com
- Instagram: careerbuildingbasics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Building-Basics/100083314360253/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-rodman-9b091393/
- Other: https://share.google/ePNXUK6B43A3xbKFp
