Expert UAE Resume Writing Guide | Top Formats & Tips for Success in 2024
Expert UAE Resume Writing Guide,
Top Formats & Tips for Success in 2024:
The CV Guy
A complete guide by The CV Guy Team on creating a professional Resume/CV for the UAE job market. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, our expert tips, UAE-specific resume formats, and templates will help you create a resume that grabs your attention and lands you interviews.
How to Write a UAE Resume
Creating an effective Resume for the UAE involves following specific guidelines. Here’s how to get started:
- Personal Information: Start with your full name, professional photo, contact information, and Present Location.
- Professional Summary: Avoid career objectives. Write a career summary below your name, and customize this section to your desired job or industry. Entry-level candidates should clearly state their career goals and Experienced people should write based on mentioning years of experience they have, the department they specialize and their skills [Check the image below for a sample]
- Work Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order: Job title, Company name, employment dates, responsibilities, and achievements using the STAR method. Highlight any UAE or GCC experience.
- Educational Qualification: Name of the degree, Major, Year of graduation, university name, CGPA.
- Skills: Include a section for job-related skills, soft skills, and technical skills.
- Certifications and Licenses: Include a section for relevant certifications and licenses to make your application stand out.
- Language Skills: Since the UAE is highly diverse, list your language proficiencies in a separate section.
- References: While optional, a separate references section can be beneficial. Some prefer to list them within the work history, but a dedicated section is often more organized.
ATS Resume or Professional Resume?
ATS Friendly Resume
When to use an ATS-Friendly Resume:
- For Large Companies: Multinational corporations often use ATS to screen applications.
- Through Online Portals: Company websites with built-in recruitment systems typically require ATS-compatible formats.
- For International Jobs: ATS is commonly used in global applications, making this format essential.
Professional Resume
When to use a Professional Resume:
- For In-Person Drops: A visually appealing resume makes a strong impression when handed directly to an employer.
- For Direct Email: Creative formats stand out when reviewed by a person, not a system.
- For Simple Online Forms: Applying through Google Forms or similar platforms allows for more design flexibility since ATS isn’t involved.
Step by Step Guide for Resume writing for UAE/Dubai
CAREER SUMMARY/PROFILE SUMMARY:
- Your current job title/area of expertise
- The amount of experience you have in this area
- Your key achievements
- Your key relevant Skills
- How you can contribute to the company/department/team objectives
Sample: A seasoned professional with 35+ years of a strong background in the development sector, specializing in project management, research, and policy analysis. Adept at using expertise in urban planning, legal research, and data analysis to drive sustainable solutions and facilitate impactful decision-making. Proven ability to manage complex projects, conduct thorough research, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
WORK EXPERIENCE ON A UAE RESUME:
List your experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on what you did and the impact you made:
Job Title: Your position.
Company Name: Where you worked.
Location: City and country (e.g., Dubai, UAE).
Dates: Employment period.
Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points, start with action verbs, and quantify achievements.
Sample:
Meta Client Solutions Manager
Aleph Ltd. | 11/2022 – Present
Key Highlights:
- Processed and facilitated the transfer of over 10,000 inter-branch and intra-branch cheques annually.
- Successfully managed to issue and balance over 5,000 Pay Orders, maintaining a 100% error-free record.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by 25% by efficiently handling remittance services.
- Opened and managed over 2,000 Savings, FDR, DPS, and other accounts annually, ensuring full compliance with TP, KYC, and account documentation requirements.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Developed and implemented strategic customer service initiatives aligned with the bank’s objectives.
- Supervised and mentored a team of customer service representatives.
- Provided expert guidance to customers on a wide range of banking products.
- Managed operation of the opening and closing of bank accounts, following all documentation and procedures.
- Resolved day-to-day customer issues with efficiency and professionalism, ensuring a seamless banking experience and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Managed customer communications across various in-person, phone, and email channels.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams, including sales and operations.
- Ensured compliance with banking regulations and internal policies by conducting regular audits of customer service processes and implementing necessary corrective actions.
EDUCATION ON A UAE RESUME:
Degrees: List degrees in order, starting with the most recent.
Institutions: Full name and location of the institution.
Graduation Dates: Month and year.
Majors/Fields of Study: Specify your focus areas.
Sample:
MBA in Accounting & Information Systems- 2021
Harvard University, USA
– CGPA: 3.38 out of 4.00 (Optional)
BBA in Finance & Accounting- 2017
Harvard University, USA
– CGPA: 2.67 out of 4.00 (Optional)
SKILLS TO ADD IN UAE RESUME:
Skills shall be picked relating to your designation and previous skills. If you’re frehser than focus on Major (e;g: Marketing)
Sample:
CORE COMPETENCIES
Brand Strategy Development • Digital Campaign Management • Advertising Optimization • Client Relationship Management • Social Media Marketing • Content Creation • Analytics and Reporting • Market Research • Influencer Partnerships • Creative Strategy • Media Planning • Ad Operations Management • Project Management • Budget Management • Brand Positioning • Web Analytics • Cross-functional Collaboration
TOOLS & TECH
MS Office • Google Workspace • Digital Marketing • SEO/SEM • PPC Advertising • Email Marketing • CRM
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES ON A UAE RESUME
Create a dedicated section, listing each certification with:
- Certification Name
- Issuing Organization
- Dates: Issuance and expiration
Example:
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Issuing Organization: PMI
Date of Issuance: January 2021
Expiration: January 2026
Listing Languages on a UAE Resume
Preferably, list languages in a separate “Language Skills” section. Example formats:
- English: (Fluent)/(IELTS: 8.0)
- Arabic: Advanced
REFERENCES ON A UAE RESUME:
If including references, follow these steps:
Section Title: “References” or “Professional References.”
Details: Full name, job title, company name, email, phone number.
Relationship: Briefly describe your professional relationship.
Permission: Always get consent from your references.
Example:
John Smith
Senior Manager
ABC Corporation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +971 50 123 4567
Professional Relationship: Former Supervisor
How to Add Extracurricular Activities to Your CV:
Create a Dedicated Section: Label it as “Extracurricular Activities” or “Leadership & Involvement.”
- Highlight Relevant Experiences: Include activities that demonstrate skills relevant to the job, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, or problem-solving.
- List Your Roles and Achievements: Clearly state your role in each activity (e.g., Team Captain, Event Organizer) and highlight any specific achievements or responsibilities.
- Use Bullet Points: Make the information easy to scan by using bullet points to describe your involvement.
- Quantify Where Possible: If applicable, mention any quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Led a team of 10 to organize a charity event that raised $5,000”).
Should I Add a Picture on a CV for Jobs in Dubai?
There are no strict guidelines regarding whether to include a picture on your CV when applying for jobs in Dubai or the UAE. However, we recommend adding a professional picture. This can help employers recognize you as the right candidate if you’re called for an interview
Should I Place My Academic Background Above the Professional Experience Section?
You should list your academic background above your work experience if you have less than one year of relevant work experience or if your education is more relevant to the job you’re applying for. This way, you can highlight the qualifications that best support your application.
Should I Add Hobbies on a CV for Jobs in Dubai?
A strict no. It’s best to keep your CV focused on professional qualifications and experiences rather than personal hobbies when applying for jobs in Dubai.
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