If you have set your heart on a Gulf job chances are that you are applying through all means. You are sending your resume to employment consultants, posting it on job websites and also directly applying to the companies in the Middle East. No matter which industry or sector or which level of job you are applying for in the Gulf, it is your resume that is your first introduction with the employer. So, it must be immaculately framed, market you well in front of the recruiter and prove your worth to the recruiter. Especially, for a Gulf job, where the recruiter would hardly have an idea of the company that you are working for in your own country, a detailed but lucid resume is required that will appropriately highlight your achievements, projects, and skills.
For a Gulf job, you have to be extra careful while preparing your resume. Your recruiter would be very critical of your resume as it hiring international candidates is done with a lot of care. The recruitment rules and the sponsorship programme in the Gulf are also very strict so recruiters exercise the utmost caution while taking candidates from other countries on board. That does not mean that getting hired in the Gulf is a very tough thing. In fact, a lot of workers across industries in the Gulf are foreigners. It is just that you have to make your resume carefully to get selected and get that international exposure that a Gulf job can offer.
Writing a resume is not easy as it may sound. For the same person, a good resume can enhance the chances of getting a job while a badly written resume may completely mar it. So, one need to keep a lot of things in mind to be able to write a god resume that is essential to get a good job in the Gulf. Right from the format to the content and presentation of the resume should be given utmost care. You need to highlight your skills in a manner that highlight your suitability for the job that you have applied for. Even if you have to slightly tweak your resume while applying for different jobs, don’t hesitate to do it. Sometimes the same resume can work for different job applications while sometimes one needs to prepare separate resumes.
While making the resume keep this thing in mind that it should promote you in the eyes of the recruiter and should get you invited for job interviews. The way your resume is, your prospective employer will have a similar image for you in mind. If it is long and boring, you would be perceived that way too. However, if it is smart, crisp and interesting, your prospective employer will instantly know that you are an interesting person too. So, prepare your resume like an advertisement for yourself. It must attract the recruiter and entice him to call you for an interview.
Make sure while writing your resume that you don’t take it as a personal document talking about your history or any personal statements. Just focus on the needs of the employer and the job and what kind of a candidate they are looking for. That does not mean that you lie on your resume to be able to impress the recruiter. It just means that you smartly highlight those points, and events in your past experience that are most relevant to the job that you have applied for.
While writing your resume foe a Gulf job, broadly divide it into two sections. The first section should talk about your abilities, qualification, experience and skills in no uncertain terms and makes the reader interested in you. The second part should broadly be able to ratify your claims with examples and evidence of what you actually did. To do that use specific title for your resume that would match the job that you are looking for. Also, use a resume design that grabs attention of the recruiter. It should not be loud or use too bright text colors. Keep it crisp and clear. Read the job description carefully and identify the keywords that are mentioned there. Use them carefully in your resume. Blend them with other details so that they don’t look superimposed.
Don’t forget to mention clear references in the resume. Gulf recruiters are very particular about this. They would want to cross check your credentials before hiring you. Also, remember that all that you mention in your resume would form the base of what your prospective employer asks you during the interview. So, be sure of being able to back up everything with conviction. Armed with a well-written resume, half your work is done. A Gulf job would then be just an interview away. And chances are that if you have written well, the employer is already quite impressed by you.