One of the most important things you can do to get the job you want, especially in a competitive market like the UAE, is to make a superb CV. If you’re looking for a job in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or anyplace else in the Emirates, your CV needs to grab the employer’s attention right away.
1. Start with a strong header
There should be your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Make sure your contact information is correct and appears professional. Don’t use fake names or email addresses that aren’t professional.
2. Make a strong summary
Instead of a nebulous “goal,” write a concise summary that tells people who you are, what you do, and how you can help. Keep it short, no more than four lines, and make sure it fits the job you’re looking for.
“An experienced digital marketer who has run successful online campaigns in the UAE retail sector for more than five years.” Good at making plans for content, Google Ads, and SEO.
3. Personalise it
Don’t just say what you have to do at work; also talk about what you’ve done well. Use an action verb at the beginning of each bullet point, such as “Led,” “Managed,” “Improved,” or “Increased.”
- Used targeted ads to get 60% more people to visit the website in six months.
- Led a team of four content creators and finished more than 50 projects on time.
4. Talk about vital skills
Write down your most important skills, both technical and soft, in a different place. Make sure they match what the job ad says.
- Adobe Photoshop, Google Analytics, and MS Excel
- Talking to people, solving problems, and leading a team
5. Make everything simple and tidy
Use a professional font like Arial or Calibri, keep the font size between 10 and 12, and make sure the formatting is the same on every page. Don’t use colours, photos, or more than one column if you don’t work in a creative sector.
6. Add information on the UAE
What UAE recruiters want to see:
- Your visa status, such as “Visit Visa,” “Cancelled Visa,” etc.
- Availability (Join Right Away, Give a Month’s Notice)
- Permission to Drive (if necessary)
7. Include your degrees and certifications
List your most current and relevant qualifications. If you wish to work in healthcare, IT, or education, be sure to highlight any UAE-recognized qualifications, such as DHA, PMP, and so on.
8. Keep it to one page (two at most)
If you’re new to the profession or don’t have a lot of experience, keep it to one page. Professionals with more expertise can write up to two pages, but only if each part is useful.
One last piece of advice: Before you send in your application, read it over.
Negative grammar or a misspelt word can generate a negative first impression. Before you send in your CV, get a buddy or utilise a program like Grammarly to check it.