1.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk
Get Recruiters to Open your CV

2.
Things to consider
 Your CV is a story
 Think about your audience
 Think about the narrative
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

3.
Is it easy to do?
 The narrative isn’t too difficult
Basically ‘I have the skills to perform this job, and look
at the times I’ve performed before’.
 But your target audience
is the real problem.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

4.
A recruiter has limited time
 Recruiters sift through hundreds of CVs.
 Recruiters want to find a shortlist as
soon as possible, so their attention span
is short.
 You will have a short space of time to
sell your story.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

5.
A recruiter has limited time
 An average recruiter spends 5-7 seconds reading a
CV
 An unprofessional email puts off 76% of recruiters
 You need to stop the recruiter from saying “No”.
Your story needs to get their eyes looking
in the right places straight away.
But HOW?
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

6.
Prioritise your CV
 Put your personal details at the top
 Make sure the font is clean
 Make the name stand out so it sticks with the reader
What’s next?
 Now remember the attention span
 They want their candidate served
on a plate.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

7.
Keywords
 Use the job description to pick out the keywords
 Use the words near the top of your CV
 Show you’re a good fit and clearly synchronise their
requirements with your offerings.
 The top half of your CV is
crucial – make the reader
want to scroll down to
find out more.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

8.
Bold
 Use bold to highlight your best skills.
 You could move the information you want to be seen
to the first section just after your details and then
elaborate further down.
BUT!
 Use bold on keywords, NOT on whole sentences!
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

9.
..and the rest of your CV?
 The rest of your CV can be set either chronologically
or by significance.
 Chronological: structure the sections by the most
significant, but list each example by most recent.
 If you are applying for a graduate position, listing
your education first may be more sensible.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

10.
Chronological CV structure
Helping the reader to understand where you are now.
 Cut out the irrelevant experiences or cut them down
to just job title and company name
The story is about who you were that helps make you
the best candidate for today
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

11.
Significance structure
 Cut the baggage and keep what shines.
 Start with the best and work down.
 Keep a structure.
 Include an education history, a work history, a
voluntary section among others.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

12.
Use evidence
 The best stories are the ones that show what they
mean, rather than telling what they mean.
 Tell the story of how suited you are,
 How impressive your skill-set is
 Show examples
 Eg What does a team-player really mean
 Help them to visualise your story
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

13.
Do I include my personal
interests?
 Do these well or it can work against you!
Remember this is a story!
 Show the recruiter you are the right person!
 Don’t bore the recruiter – give examples!
 It doesn’t matter what you enjoy BUT make it
relevant!
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

14.
Should I exclude personal interests?
NO!
You want your CV seen, you want it remembered and
you want an interview.
This is gold for interview questions and
gold for being brought back for a chat.
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

15.
So why did my CV get ignored?
 It could simply mean that they didn’t find what they
were looking for in the 5 seconds they allowed you.
 Meet their sharp expectations during their skim-read
and you will have a chance to elaborate later in an
interview.
Landing a job isn't only about being the
right character for the story.
Often, it's just about telling the story right
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk

16.
Why not contact one of our careers advisors at
Pathway Group who can point you in the right
direction.
Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550
www.facebook.com/pathwaygroup
www.twitter.com/pathwaygroup
www.linkedin.com/company/pathwaygroup
Want to learn more about writing your CV? Call Pathway on 0121 707 0550 or visit
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk