About this template
The Dubai template is a CV for the Gulf region in Lato with a desert gold accent, designed for Dubai and the wider GCC. Includes a photo block (still expected across much of the region), nationality, visa status line, and a languages section that places Arabic and English on equal footing. Suits English-speaking candidates targeting the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Who is it for?
It fits candidates targeting the GCC job market — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Manama. Engineers (oil & gas, infrastructure, construction), finance (DIFC, ADGM, Mubadala, ADIA, QIA, PIF), luxury hospitality (Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, Four Seasons Doha, Mandarin Oriental), healthcare and oil-and-gas profiles applying to local groups, family conglomerates, sovereign wealth funds and Middle East offices of multinationals where photo, nationality and visa transfer are part of the standard CV header.
How to use it
The professional photo sits in the upper right — the convention remains strong in the region. Indicate nationality, current visa status (Visit Visa, Employment Visa, Golden Visa, no visa required) and availability (« available within 60 days notice »). The languages block notes Arabic, English, French at minimum, with CEFR level. For a financial role at DIFC or ADGM, mention certifications (CFA, CAIA, ACCA) which remain the reference markers in the region. Quote amounts in USD rather than local currency.
Frequently asked questions
Is a photo really required for Dubai?
Yes in the majority of cases. Local recruiters and family conglomerates still expect the photo in the CV header — omitting it reads as lack of care. Multinationals established in Dubai (Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Standard Chartered) with diversity recruitment policies may tolerate the no-photo CV, but the photo remains the majority and safe option.
How to position European experience for a sovereign wealth fund?
Specify regulation and jurisdiction: « Head of Alternative Investments — AMF + ESMA supervised, EUR 2.3 bn AUM ». Quote amounts in USD and asset classes in local terms (« sukuk », « shariah-compliant private equity » for Islamic structures). Indicate IFI (Islamic Finance Institute) certifications if applicable.
What CV length for the GCC?
Two to three pages for an experienced to senior profile, up to four pages for an oil & gas profile with long dated project list. The GCC market values detail (project size, deal value, teams managed) more than American conciseness — conciseness can be read as a signal of insufficient experience.
