CV Writing Tips for Fresh Graduates in the UAE

Searching for a job in the UAE, and that too as a fresh graduate, is a bit of a daring task. 

We all know that the job market of United Arab Emirates is quite competitive. People from all around the world are landing there every single day as job seekers. You know it is even recently ranked as the most popular country for global workers. And there are around 418K job openings every year in the UAE. With 76.24% as the expected employment rate in 2024.

Well, I did not mean to scare you. But you need to know these facts before entering this saturated market. 

And you know, among all of these global job seekers, what can give you an edge over others? Your “CV”

So, this is this main point of this whole discussion. To enlighten you with the importance of your CV. That is what I was trying to do. 

Tips to Craft a Perfect CV for Fresh Graduates

I know that I scared the hell out of you. But I hope you learned your lesson. So, never underestimate your CV. It can make a lot of difference for your job application. And holds the power to transform your dreams into reality.

Well, you must be wondering that being a fresh graduate. You really do not have much to add in your CV and make an impression. But you are wrong. There is still a lot that you can do to make it outshine others. I will tell you exactly how you can make a perfect one for you.

Began with a Strong Personal Statement

The first thing that your recruiter will probably read is your personal statement. So, it must be strong enough to grab their attention right at first sight. Well, it is a brief intro about who you are, and you can show your passion for the field here. You can consider it as your elevator pitch. But remember, it must not exceed 2-3 lines. Yeah, that is it. You have to explain everything in those lines. 

I know it is hard, but make sure that you do not mess with it. If you are not sure about it. Just take assistance from professional CV writing services. They will take care of it for you. 

Include Contact Information 

You might not believe it. It is even hilarious that people often miss their contact details in their CVs. Well, that is one of the stupidest mistakes I have made. Just imagine that after all those efforts, you even managed to impress your recruiters, and they want to reach out to you. But Oops, there is no contact information. So, include everything they might need:

• Your Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• LinkedIn Profile (Optional)

Highlight Your Education

Now, it is time to highlight your education to show that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out that specific role.

Well, being a fresh graduate, your education is your most powerful asset. You do not have any experience to show you are the right candidate. But your education can prove that. And if your GPA is impressive, then it might be a valuable addition to your CV. 

So, start with your most recent education and scroll down to the oldest ones. You must mention:

• Degree Name
• Name of the Institute
• Year of Graduation
  GPA (Only if it is good)

Focus on Your Skills

I know you do not have much work experience. But that is Okay. Adding your key skills can make up for that. So, never forget to showcase the key skills that you have learned through your universities, internships or maybe group projects. But do not just write them off. Instead, show them. Maybe by quoting an example like “I have written reports on many topics and excelled at them.”

These skills can help you get an edge over other candidates.

Include Internships and Volunteer Experience

If you have done any internships or trainee programs. Or maybe you have participated somewhere as a volunteer. Then, you definitely need to add them to your CV. Well, this can be counted as your work experience. So, you must include:

• Position Title
• Name of the Organization
• Duration of Employment with dates
• Key Responsibilities

Tailor Your CV to the Job

You must have heard that one shoe does not fit all. Well that applies here as well. You cannot use the same CV for every single job you are applying for. If you really want to land a job. Then you need to make sure that you are customizing it as per the needs of the job. 

Many companies use the Applicant Tracking System these days. So, make sure that you are adding all the relevant keywords to make it pass through that software. Consider this step as your pass that will get you through that gatekeeper.

Keep It Simple and Professional

The most important thing in crafting a perfect CV is to keep it simple and concise. It must not exceed one to two pages. So, make sure that you are adding every important piece of information in that limited space perfectly.

Add Certifications and Courses

If you have any certifications and courses. Then that is well and good. You must add it to your CV if they are relevant to the job you are applying for. 

The Power of Proofreading

No matter what happens, never forget to proofread your CVs. This will ensure that everything is complete without any mistakes. Hence, it will make sure that you leave a lasting impression on your recruiters. 

Final Words

In a nutshell, your CV is your golden ticket to help you enter the competitive job market of the UAE. No matter if you are just a fresh graduate without any experience. You can still use your CV as a powerful weapon against all of those experienced ones out there. The only condition is that your CV needs to be perfect. And I am sure that you know how to craft one for you. So, your CV will help you kick start your career in the UAE. Just make sure that you are following these tips. Best of Luck!