How to Transform Your Resume in Under an Hour

Your resume isn’t just a list of past jobs—it’s your ticket to landing future opportunities. Whether you’re eyeing a promotion, considering a career pivot, or just want to be ready when the right job pops up, updating your resume doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right approach, you can refresh it in under an hour.

During our recent Coach Connect Live session hosted by Eloïse Eonnet, leadership coach and director of Coach Connect, The Muse and Fairygodboss career coach Andrea Gerson broke down a fast and effective way to give your resume the upgrade it deserves.

(Watch the recording to hear more on this topic and get to know Andrea Gerson!)

1. Get clear on your target

Before you start tweaking, take a moment to define the roles you’re aiming for.

• Scan job postings in your field to spot common titles, keywords, and must-have skills.

• If you’re switching industries, consider creating different resume versions tailored to each field.

• Make sure your resume speaks directly to the hiring managers in your target industry.

Think of your resume as a marketing tool—it should clearly show employers that you’re the right fit for the job.

2. Craft a strong summary

Your summary is prime real estate—it’s the first thing employers see, so make it count. 

• Do: Highlight your key strengths, industry expertise, and career goals.

• Don’t: List generic skills or recap your entire work history. Instead, frame it in a way that aligns with the jobs you want.

This section should act as a bridge between your experience and the opportunities you’re pursuing.

3. Strengthen your bullet points

Avoid vague, task-based descriptions and instead, use Gerson’s “bricks and mortar” method:

• Bricks: The facts (your responsibilities and tasks)

• Mortar: The impact (the results of your work)

Instead of using vague language like, “Increased sales by 15%” make sure you explain what the number means: “Developed and executed a targeted marketing campaign, driving a 15% increase in sales over six months.”

Use the Three R’s to decide what to highlight:

• Recent: Is it relevant to your current career goals?

• Relevant: Does it align with the role you’re applying for?

• Really impressive: Does it showcase your standout achievements?

4. Format for readability and impact

Hiring managers typically spend six to seven seconds scanning a resume before deciding to keep reading. Make yours easy to skim with these formatting tips: 

• Follow the “Backwards 7” rule. Put the most critical info in the top third and along the left side. (Watch the video to see how Gerson explains this. We love it!) 

• Give more space to your most recent roles to show career progression.

• Keep it one to two pages long. If you have over 10 years of experience, two pages are fine—just make sure the key info is on page one.

5. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many companies use ATS software to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. To boost your chances of getting through:

• Naturally incorporate keywords from the job description into your bullet points.

• Stick to clean formatting—avoid fancy templates that may not be ATS-friendly.

• Save and send your resume in a standard format like PDF or Word.

Final touch: Review and refine

• Proofread for typos and formatting inconsistencies.

• Get feedback—ask a mentor, coach, or trusted friend to review.

• Update it regularly, even when you’re not actively job hunting.

By following these steps, you’ll have a polished, compelling resume in under an hour—one that positions you for exciting new opportunities. And watch the recording to hear more on this topic and get to know Andrea Gerson!