Many employers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are used to seeing a few personal details on a CV, such as nationality, visa status and notice period. These templates place an optional personal-details block under your contact details and keep everything else easy for an applicant tracking system to read.
804 templates in this category, out of 10,020 in the builder. Every template is included at the same US$1 price per PDF.
Hand-picked templates for this category
Meadow Press
Single column
Name on the left with contact details stacked on the right, headings reversed out of a colour strip, dates in a left column and small square bullets.
Cedar Desk
Single column
Full-width colour band behind the name, headings over a dotted rule, employer in small capitals with dates beside it and short rule bullets.
Maple Fibre
Single column
Full-width tinted band, a short accent underline under headings, dates in a left column and double chevron bullets.
Cobalt Cabin
Single column
Centred name under a thin top strip, centred headings, dates above each job title and indented points without markers.
Ashen Quarter
Single column
Initials block beside the name, headings over a dotted rule, title "at" employer with dates beneath and small square bullets.
Rowan Seam
Single column
Centred name on a full-width tinted band, centred headings with a short underline, employer, place and dates on one line under the title and indented points without markers.
Previews are drawn in your browser from the same layout code as the PDF, with fictional sample content. Filter and search by style, colour, industry, columns and more. Choosing a template opens it in the builder.
What a Gulf CV usually includes
- Contact details with a phone number that works in the country you are applying to.
- Optional personal details: nationality, visa or residence status, notice period and driving licence. Add only what you are comfortable sharing and what is true.
- A short profile that names the role you want.
- Experience with clear dates, employer names and locations, most recent first.
- Languages, which often matter for customer-facing roles in the region.
Practice varies between employers and countries, so follow any instructions in the job advert. Our UAE and GCC resume format guide covers this in more detail.
Photos
The builder does not add photos. A photo is not needed for most applications, and some systems read text-only documents more reliably. If an employer asks for a photo, send it separately as they request.
Writing for recruiters in the region
Recruiters in the Gulf often receive applications from many countries for the same role. Make it easy to see where you worked and whether your experience is local: write the city and country for each job, and say if a role covered the wider region.
Questions
Is a CV different from a resume in the UAE?
The words are used for the same thing. Most employers expect two pages or fewer, with your most recent job first. Long academic-style CVs are only for academic posts.
Should I give my date of birth or marital status?
Only if the employer asks for it. The optional personal-details block lets you add or leave out each item.
Can I write my name in Arabic?
Yes. Arabic is supported in the PDF, with connected letters laid out right to left. For a fully Arabic CV, choose Arabic as the resume language on the Design tab.
How to use these templates
- Pick a layout in the browser above. It opens in the builder with your own details, or with fictional sample text you replace.
- Switch freely. Your text stays the same when you change template, so you can compare a few.
- Run the ATS-readiness check in the builder before you download.
- Download the PDF for US$1 when you are happy with it. Editing and previewing are free.