Top CV Writing Tips for UAE Job Market

UAE a country that offers tax-free salaries, a luxurious lifestyle, and a fast-growing economy- has become a dream destination for job seekers.

Don’t believe me? Roughly 72.8% of the global job seekers look for jobs in the UAE, particularly in Dubai (Source: KHDA report).

Also, with those stats, you can think of the super competitive job market.

But does this massive number of people succeed in landing their dream job? No!

Furthermore, out of many reasons, one solid reason is sending a poorly written CV to recruiters.

In addition, it acts like a personal advertisement.

It demonstrates your compatibility and skills to land a job and helps hiring managers to decide. Also, considering the tough competition, your CV must shine as bright as the lights of Dubai.

Let’s dive into the top CV writing tips to help you stand out and get hired faster in the UAE job market.

Reasons to craft a Powerful CV

“I have been sending my perfect CV to the Dubai recruiters, but haven’t got any response”, “The UAE hiring recruiters have some really high standards to hire employees.”

I’ve spent my life hearing these kinds of statements from people. And sorry to break your heart, but none of them are true.

So, here’s what you should know:

1. Your CV  is a marketing tool or a brochure designed to sell your skills.
2. Secondly, from content to font and language to structure, everything matters to create a good CV.
3. Also, HR managers spend barely 7-8 seconds reviewing a CV. So, you gotta impress them within a few seconds.
4. Less is more–stay concise and write to the point.
5. Lastly, never lie in your CV just to match what recruiters want.

Structure of a CV

To write a good CV, following a structure plays a great role. In general, a good one has the following sections:

Sections	What to Add
Contact details	●     Full name ●     Phone number ●     Email address ●     Home address (optional)
Personal information	●     Nationality ●     Age/birth ●     Visa status ●     Marital status ●     Driving license
Work experience	●     Recent role (date of employment) ●     Company name ●     Your job title ●     Brief information about the company ●     Concise information about your achievements and roles ●     Explanation of gap (if any)
Education	●     Recent educational details ●     Name of institute ●     Name of degree or diploma ●     Dates of attendance
Skills	●     Hard and soft skills ●     Skill programs (if attended)
Additional sections (certifications, awards, publications, professional associations, languages, and others)	●     Highlight and mention academic awards ●     Include relevant certifications and licenses

Simple CV Writing Tips To Land a Job In The UAE

Let’s discuss simple and straightforward tips for writing a winning CV. Nothing extra, just easy-to-follow tips:

Clear and Easy To Read

Try this: read a CV that is entirely structured using headings and paragraphs. Then review the one that highlights important information in bullet points using simple language.

You’ll know the difference!

The verdict: Keep your CV simple and organized. In addition, use bullet points, short sentences, and clear headings. Also, avoid long paragraphs or complicated words. Remember, recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each file.

Add a Professional Headshot Picture

Photos are usually avoided in the Western professional field. However, in the UAE, it’s common to include a professional headshot.

My personal tip to choose a picture: Always select a high-quality photo where you look confident, well-grounded, and friendly.

Also, here’s what to avoid:

• Casual pictures
• Selfies
• Pictures from parties

Stay professional, look professional!

Tailor Your CV

Many job seekers neglect to tailor their CVs according to the job description. And it’s a wrong practice.

Instead, tailoring your CV directly increases your chance of getting noticed and securing an interview call.
It also:

• Shows genuine interest in the job position
• Highlights key skills
• Increases visibility
• Meets employers needs
• Avoids a generic application

If you are struggling at this step or have no idea what changes to make in your file, consider getting help from professional CV writing services in UAE. In addition, these experts can easily craft impressive content for you in no time.

Highlight your Achievements, Not Just Duties

Many people make the mistake of only discussing their job role. Oh, come on, once you have added a header that describes your position, the employer already knows what you do.

So, instead of doing this, focus on your achievements. Hence, show your ability to deliver results and go beyond the basic duties.

Add Personal Details Correctly

Unlike in Western countries, it’s a common practice to add more personal details. Also, it’s important to include all the personal details correctly so that employers can easily reach out to you.

These include:

• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Visa status (if you have a UAE visa or are on a visit visa)
• Languages spoken

Be Honest and Vulnerable

Always remember that lying in your CV won’t take you anywhere.

Also, hiring managers often check the background of the applicants. So, if they find any false information, it will not only damage your reputation but you will also the chance to land the job.

Hence, be proud of your small achievements and flaunt them in your CV!

Professional CV Format

Who doesn’t like a well-written and perfectly formatted CV? We all do!

So, use a clean design and pick a template according to your job role. Below are other important key points to consider:

1. Use clear headings and sections
2. Pick a simple and professional font such as Arial, Times New Roman, or others.
3. Use consistent formatting
4. Leave enough space for a margin on all sides

Add a Section for Languages

The UAE is a multicultural country. Thus, speaking multiple languages is a big plus. So, mention your language skills clearly, like this:

• English: Fluent
• Arabic: Intermediate
• Hindi: Native

Pro tip:

Even basic knowledge of Arabic can give you an advantage.

Final Words

The UAE job market is super competitive. Hence, it’s really hard to stand out and make space for yourself.
Therefore, a good CV is what can assist you in this goal. So, make sure to read and understand all the tips for writing a winning CV. And also structure it properly.

Always remember that the UAE hiring managers expect a lengthy and detailed document. So, consider it as a key point!