UAE and GCC Resume Format Guide

Conventions in the UAE and the wider Gulf (GCC) vary by industry, employer and nationality of the hiring team. This guide describes what is commonly seen, so you can make an informed choice. Always follow the instructions in the job advert.

Length and structure

• Two pages is a common upper limit for experienced candidates; one page is fine for graduates.
• Put a short professional summary first, then work experience (most recent first), education and skills.
• Use A4 paper size for PDFs. Our builder supports A4 and US Letter.

Personal details: what is commonly included

• Full name, phone number with country code, email address and current city.
• Some Gulf CVs also list nationality, visa status or notice period. Including them is common but not required. Decide what you are comfortable sharing, and remember it is easy to add later in an application form.
• Photos: some employers expect them, many international employers prefer none. If the advert does not ask for one, leaving it out also keeps the file simpler for software to read.
• Date of birth, marital status and similar details are often not needed. Share them only if you choose to.

Making it ATS-friendly

• Use standard headings and a single-column layout.
• Write the job titles used in the advert if they honestly describe your work.
• Avoid putting key details in a header, footer or text box.
• Names and employers with accented Latin letters are supported in our PDF. Arabic text is not supported in our PDF export, so use a Latin-script version for the PDF.

Check before you send

1. Read the advert twice. Note any requested documents or details.
2. Choose the personal details you will share.
3. Run the ATS check. Fix any formatting warnings.
4. Open the PDF and select the text. If you can select it, software can usually read it.

Common questions