How to Edit Your Resume (Quick Tips & Fixes)
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Searching for “how to edit my resume” before sending it out? Smart move. Employers often make decisions in seconds, so a clean, updated resume is key. The best part—you can edit your resume right from your mobile device if you need to.
Whether you’re commuting, waiting in line, or at home, it only takes a few minutes to polish your resume and boost your chances of landing an interview. In this guide, you’ll learn why editing your resume matters and the simple steps to make sure it’s ready to impress.
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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
How to Edit Your Resume
Writing a resume is only the first step—editing it is what makes it stand out. Here’s how you can update your resume quickly and easily:
Edit with the right tools
No matter where you are, you can edit your resume using different tools. Here’s how to get started with the most popular options:
How to edit a resume in PDF:
- Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
- Select “Edit PDF” from the toolbar.
- Click on the text or section you want to change.
Pro tip: PDFs are less flexible than Word or Google Docs, so use them mainly for small edits.
How to edit a resume in Word:
- Open your resume file in Microsoft Word.
- Click directly into the section you’d like to update.
- Save as a new version to keep track of changes.
How to edit a resume in Google Docs:
- Upload your resume to Google Drive.
- Open it with Google Docs.
- Make edits, then download or share directly.
Bonus: Google Docs syncs across devices, so you can edit from your phone or desktop without missing a beat.
How to edit a resume on iPhone:
- Open Zety’s Resume Builder in your mobile browser.
- Choose your resume template or upload your existing resume.
- Edit text, adjust formatting, and add new sections with just a few taps.
Zety’s Resume Builder is designed to be mobile-friendly, so you can make updates anytime—without worrying about formatting issues.
Review your formatting
Good resume formatting makes your resume easy to read on any device. Use clear headings, consistent fonts, and bullet points to break up text. Keep plenty of white space so hiring managers can quickly scan your resume.
Before sending it, open your resume on your mobile device to make sure it looks clean and professional.
Update your professional summary
Your resume summary is often the first thing employers read, so make it impactful. Focus on your most recent achievements and skills that match the job description. A quick edit here can instantly show recruiters you're a strong candidate.
Let's take a look at this example:
| Example |
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Marketing manager with seven years of experience leading campaigns, managing teams, and driving brand growth. Skilled in digital marketing, content strategy, and project management. Strong communicator with a record of meeting deadlines and delivering results. |
This resume summary is good, but an improved version shows how well they do their job by including relevant metrics. For example:
| Example |
|---|
Results-driven marketing manager with seven years of experience creating data-backed campaigns that increased brand visibility and drove 30% year-over-year revenue growth. Skilled in digital strategy, content marketing, and cross-functional team leadership. Known for blending creativity with analytics to deliver measurable results across email, social, and paid channels. |
Refresh your skills section
Make sure the skills you list match what employers are looking for today. Remove outdated tools or programs and add new ones you’ve learned. If you’re not sure which skills to include, Zety’s Resume Builder can help.
It suggests skills tailored to your target job and industry, so you can pick the most relevant ones in seconds. And since the builder works smoothly on mobile, you can adjust your skills section right from your phone.
Polish your work experience
Review each job entry to ensure it highlights accomplishments, not just duties. Add measurable results (like "increased sales by 20%") and eliminate old or irrelevant roles. A quick edit can make your career story more powerful and up to date. Let's see how this might work:
| Example |
|---|
Marketing Manager Clemente Inc. | New York, NY 2018 – Present
|
This version of the work experience is solid, but a better version includes measurable impact to prove to employers you can drive results. For example:
| Example |
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Marketing Manager Clemente Inc. | New York, NY 2018 – Present
|
Check your education
Confirm your education section is accurate and complete. If you’ve taken new courses, certifications, or workshops, list them here. This small update can make a big difference when applying to specialized roles.
Consider optional resume sections
Depending on the job, adding sections like certifications, volunteer work, or projects can help you stand out. Select extra sections that highlight skills relevant to the position.
Proofread before you submit
Before you hit send, take time to proofread your resume carefully. Even small mistakes can leave a bad impression. Here’s how to make sure your resume is error-free:
- Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing or missing words.
- Check spelling and grammar.
- Review on mobile to ensure formatting looks clean and text is easy to read on smaller screens.
- Ask a friend or colleague to take a fresh look—you might miss errors they’ll catch.
5 Reasons to Edit Your Resume
Here are five reasons why keeping your resume up to date is so important:
- Increases your chances of landing the interview: By tailoring your resume to each job, you highlight the skills and experience that match the role, showing employers you’re the right fit.
- Helps you pass ATS scans: Applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for keywords from the job description. Editing your resume with the right terms boosts your chances of making it through to a recruiter.
- Keeps your accomplishments front and center: Regular updates ensure your latest wins, responsibilities, and new skills are included, so nothing important gets left behind.
- Makes your resume feel current: Hiring practices and resume trends change. Editing your resume helps you adapt its format, tone, and content so it meets today’s standards.
- Prevents errors from holding you back: Typos, outdated information, and sloppy formatting can turn recruiters away. Careful edits keep your resume polished and professional.
Key Takeaways
Now that you know why updating your resume is essential and how to do it, let's go over key points:
- A polished resume shows your most relevant skills and achievements, helping you stand out to employers.
- Adjust your summary, skills, and experience to match the job requirements and include relevant keywords to pass the ATS.
- Focus on measurable results, not just duties, to demonstrate your impact.
- Regularly update your education, certifications, and recent projects to reflect your growth.
- Clean, consistent formatting ensures your resume is easy to read on desktop and mobile devices.
- Use tools like Word, Google Docs, Adobe, or Zety's Resume Builder to make updates quickly—even from your iPhone.
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.