By Reshma R Sharunlal

There are tons of materials out there that dish out advice on how to create the perfect CV when applying for a job in the UAE. There are even online programmes that can create a CV for you in a jiffy, if you give them all the details they need. We feel that nobody knows you as well as you do. And so, in this article, we will be sharing 3 things employers and hiring managers in the UAE are looking for in a CV.

Job application processes are already as complex as they are. In this day and age, however, the competition rates are soaring for a job opportunity. In order to secure the job of your dreams, you will need to ensure that your first impression is rock solid positive. The way to achieve that is through an excellently drafted CV. 

In this written piece, we will delve into some of the best practices you can adopt when drafting out your CV. This article can essentially become your go-to guide to helping you improve your chances for that job opportunity in the UAE you’ve been eyeing for a while now too. 

A word of caution before we delve into the article: what each company, employer and hiring manager may be on the lookout for in a CV can vary from organisation to organisation and person to person. They may also change according to the job role you apply for within a company. 

As such, this written piece only aims to function as a guide and should not be read as a comprehensive or exhaustive list of things to include in a CV! The best way to succeed at any job application would be by conducting ample research individually and browsing through this article could function as the first step you take into improving your existing CV 🙂 A little touch up can go a long way!

Without further ado, let’s get right into the article!

3 Things Employers and Hiring Managers Look For In A CV

1. Formatting is everything!

Imagine this scenario: you have picked out everything you want to include in your CV. But, you place it all in a big chunk of text on a black and white background. A not very pleasing to the eyes CV equates to a lower chance of securing that dream job. 

As such, the second tip to creating an excellent CV lies in the formatting style of your document. Take a couple of papers and sketch out some ideas on how to best portray your CV details. 

Remember that not everything has to be in text, after all. Use simple icons to skip some words and make things readable. Play with colours and sizes to draw attention to headers and categorical divisions. This will make it easier for the employers to find your main points. 

Using simple formatting tricks like the above-mentioned can help your employer/hiring manager in the UAE to remember your stellar CV better too.

2. The right words

A copywriter like myself believes in the idea that words can become weapons in times of need. When it comes to creating the perfect CV, picking the right words to include in your document is a battle on its own. With that being said, using the right words is half the battle won too!

These days, many CV-building workshops and career counsellors stress on the need and importance of choosing ‘power words’ when writing a CV. Power words refer to the keywords used within a work industry as well as that which applies to a job role. It can also refer to verbs, otherwise known as action words. 

The implementation of such power words can help to boost the quality of your CV when applying for a job in the UAE. For once, using verbs can help to give off the idea that you are a “do-er” when applying for jobs. The simple act of incorporating action-words can help create a less passive impression of yourself. 

Similarly, including specific keywords or key phrases that are relevant to your work industry or job rule can also prove beneficial. It can help to catch the attention of your potential employer/hiring manager situated in the UAE too. 

A company or firm staff most likely already have a list of skills they are on the lookout for in their new hire. Including such keywords can help your job application get noticed easily. As such, picking the right words is one other way to draft an amazing CV to capture the employers’ or hiring manager’s attention in the UAE!

3. Find out its purpose

The third tip that we have to offer when it comes to creating a stellar CV in order to land you that dream job in the UAE is by understanding its purpose and more importantly, how it can serve you. 

It is especially crucial to understand that sending out a CV is the first point of contact you will make with your potential employer or hiring manager. This means that your CV will also create the very first basis of impression upon which you will be judged for the job role. 

As such, creating an excellent CV begins with how you want to portray your image to the employers. 

Next, keep it short and simple. If your CV runs on for pages, you’re expressing how you are unable to choose your best qualifications and work experiences to speak for themselves. 

Concise means saving time too. Employers and hiring managers are busy people. Save them their time when looking through your CV by choosing which of your best key points you are putting for feature out there in the UAE. 

And there you have it – a compiled list of the top 3 things employers and hiring managers located in the UAE are on the lookout for in a CV when you submit a job application to their organisation. 

With all that being said, we have to come to the end of this article! We hope this written piece has provided you with some insights as to how you can improve your existing CV to match what your future employers are searching for!

With this article, we hope we’ve managed to calm some of your nerves as you prepare to send in a job application to potential companies. After all, you’re a little more equipped with the power of knowledge after reading this article 😉 

We wish you the best of luck as you embark on the job hunting process. 

In the meantime, if you’re on the lookout for similar job opportunities within the Middle East, read on! 😉

All About GrabJobs

If you’re just about to begin the job hunting process, why not consider giving GrabJobs a visit?

GrabJobs is an efficient recruitment platform that connects thousands of job-seekers and employers around the world on a daily basis. Individuals can rely on the platform’s free job search functionalities to receive job matching alerts, access the career resources library and online courses to build their career. 

With its instant live chat feature with employers, job seekers can expect to not miss a single opportunity while receiving timely updates about their applications as well as automated reminders when they get invited for an interview. 

Take a look at some of the available positions that match your needs and get matched with the best job opportunities near you through GrabJobs now! 

Through the platform, you’ll be able to filter through specific industries, part-time, freelance and full-time positions too. 

Apply for your desired work opportunity in just one click and get interviewed on the spot via GrabJobs’s chatbot. Save yourself some precious time and lock in the job of your dreams right away!
Visit GrabJobs here to find out more information! 🙂