What does a typical CV look like for jobs in the UAE and the Gulf?

A typical Gulf CV is an A4 document, often two pages, with a clear header, a short professional summary, reverse-chronological experience and a personal details block that is less common in Western resumes.

Common features, which vary by employer:

• Contact details with a phone number including country code and the city you are based in.
• Personal details such as nationality, visa status, driving licence and notice period.
• A summary naming years of experience and GCC or regional exposure.
• Experience with clear dates, employer locations and achievement bullets.
• Languages, especially English and Arabic, with levels.
• A photo in some applications, particularly for customer-facing roles, though many employers do not require one.

Multinational companies and large employers often use online portals, so a clean single-column layout is still the safest base. Keep the personal details accurate and relevant, and follow the instructions in each job advert.