How to Write a Good CV in the UAE 2025

Making an impressive CV (Curriculum Vitae) is the key to surviving in today’s competitive job market. Whether you are looking for a dream job or applying for a specific role in Dubai, an extraordinary CV format can make you stand out from the crowd. A proper Dubai CV format gives the right structure to your professional data, highlighting your skills, experiences, and qualifications so that employers can see your value.

The Dubai CV format is different from those in Western countries. It has some unique features. For instance, employers in the UAE often prefer an easy format that accentuates the relevant experience and skills of the candidate. Similarly, the details of the visa status and a professional photograph of the applicant are also very uncommon in Western CVs.

Key features of Dubai CV format

Compared to Western CVs, the Dubai CV format possesses some unique elements, such as –

• Focus on relevant experience and skills of the candidate
• Information about the visa status of the candidate
• A professional photograph

Now that you are aware of what’s more significant in a Dubai CV format, let’s learn how to write good CV UAE. Moving further in this blog, we will cover the essential tips for making your CV noticeable, a CV template for Dubai, and common mistakes to avoid while preparing a CV.

Dubai CV format: Important Guidelines

While crafting your CV for a UAE job, make sure to familiarize yourself with the layout expectations for the local job market. Whether you’re following a CV template or a resume format, there are certain things you need to be aware of.

Difference between a “CV” and a “Resume”

While the terms “CV” and “resume” are often considered equivalent, both documents serve different purposes. A CV is typically longer, more detailed, and provides a comprehensive overview of the academic background, work experience, skills, and achievements of the candidate. It is suitable for those seeking positions or roles that require extensive qualifications such as academia, research, etc.

On the contrary, a resume is a shorter document summarizing the skills and experience of the candidate. It is usually customized to a specific job. However, in the UAE, employers mostly prefer a CV as it gives a fuller picture of the candidate’s strong suits.

Ideal length of the UAE CV

A Dubai CV format generally consists of 1-2 pages. While the candidate can add more details, they must ensure to keep it clear and concise and focus on the most relevant information.

Personal information section

This section typically includes the following details:

• The complete name of the candidate
• A professional photograph
• The candidate’s nationality
• Contact details – phone number, email address, and professional portfolio
• The visa status – If the candidate is currently residing in the UAE, then the visa type and expiration date must be specified.

Important sections in a Dubai CV format

The essential sections that need to be included in a UAE CV are as follows:-

Personal information –

This particular section will encompass the following details:

• Full Name
• Contact Information
• Nationality
• Visa Status (if applicable)
• Photograph (optional)

Professional Summary –

A brief synopsis of your skills, experiences, and career aspirations. It should be clear and accustomed to the specific role you are applying for. Highlight your strengths as a potential candidate and your ambitions with your next role.

Work experience –

• List your work experience in reverse sequential order. Begin with your present or most recent job role.
• Mention the details of each past work experience such as the job title, the company name, location, and employment dates.
• Highlight key responsibilities and accomplishments in bullet points. Focus more on your outcomes and contributions that exhibit your value.

Academic qualifications –

• Mention your degrees, certifications, and relevant training that you have undertaken. Do not forget to reveal the name of the institution, location, and graduation dates.
• Mention any credentials that are specific to the UAE or are highly regarded in the UAE.

Skills –

List your technical and soft skills that are relevant to the job role. For example, computer skills, proficiency in a particular language(s), communication skills, problem-solving, individual player, teamwork, quick learning, and leadership.

Certifications and Training –

If you have any professional certifications or training relevant to your field, mention them, be it any online courses, workshops, or industry-recognized records.

Projects and achievements –

Disclose any relevant projects you have worked on, your role and contributions in the project, and the final outcomes.

Languages –

List all the languages you can speak, and the level of proficiency, such as professional, or conversational. Multilingual candidates are appreciated and often given extra consideration in the multicultural environment of the UAE.

References –

Although a separate reference section is included in the Dubai CV format, the candidate can provide references upon request.

How to write good CV UAE – Sample Template

Here’s a sample Dubai CV template for your reference:

[Your full name]

[Your Address]

[City, Postal Code, UAE]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[LinkedIn Profile URL]

___________________

Personal information

• Nationality:
• Visa Status:

___________________

Professional summary

___________________

Work Experience

[Your Job Title]

[Company Name & Location]

[Month, Year] – Present

• #1 – Key responsibility or achievement
• #2 – Key responsibility or achievement
• #3 – Key responsibility or achievement

[Your Job Title]

[Company Name & Location]

[Month, Year]

• #1 – Key responsibility or achievement
• #2 – Key responsibility or achievement
• #3 – Key responsibility or achievement

___________________

Education

[Degree Title]

[Name and Location of the Institution]

[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

[Additional Degrees/Certifications]

[Name and Location of the Institution]

[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

___________________

Skills

[Skill #1]

[Skill #2]

[Skill #3]

[Skill #4]

___________________

Certifications and Training

[Certification Name], [Institution], [Year of achievement]

[Training Course], [Institution], [Year of completion]

___________________

Languages known

[Language #1] – Proficiency level

[Language #2] – Proficiency level

___________________

References

___________________

Essential tips for improving the UAE CV format

The competition in Dubai’s job market is cut-throat and your CV must be customized to be distinctive. So, here are some basic tips to improve your Dubai CV format and flaunt your credentials effectively.

• Stick to the standard CV format generally used in Dubai, UAE.
• Use a professional layout with understandable fonts and sufficient spacing.
• Modify your CV according to the specific job sketch. Highlight the skills and experiences that align with the role.
• Use keywords from the job listing to increase the chances of selection of your job application.
• Keep the length of the CV to 1 to 2 pages. Avoid unnecessary jargon and be clear while conveying details about your qualifications.
• Avoid extreme boastful language. Keep the focus on your achievements and qualifications without doing excess self-promotion.
• Proofread your CV multiple times to avoid spelling and grammatical errors. Get it reviewed by another person for clarity and mistakes.
• Enumerate your achievements with specific metrics or data to make your accomplishments more noticeable.
• Use strong action verbs like “developed,” “implemented,” “achieved,” or “led” to create a more impactful description.
• Provide genuine information about your experiences and skills.
• Make sure to create a profile on professional platforms like LinkedIn to complement your CV and provide additional visibility to employers.

Mistakes to avoid while drafting a UAE CV

These common errors can undermine your Dubai CV format –

• Using an unprofessional email address
• Lack of measurable achievements
• Writing a non-specific CV
• Using an inappropriate photograph
• Failing to proofread
• Mentioning salary expectations
• Listing responsibilities instead of skills and strengths

Create a perfect CV with the support of Shuraa experts

Need assistance with your job search or staffing needs? Shuraa Business Setup is at your service. Their team specializes in finding the right talent for various companies and ensuring that they are the best fit based on the business needs.

Get a Free consultation today at www.shuraa.com