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CV Checklist

In today’s competitive job market, a standout CV is essential. At Agile Consultants, our CV Checklist provides key tips and best practices to help you create a professional and impactful resume that is relevant for the Middle East job market. Follow this guide to ensure your CV effectively showcases your skills and experiences, increasing your chances of securing the job you want.
Comprehensive CV Checklist
1
Profile Information

Make sure your profile information is accurate and professional:

  • Full Name: Ensure your full name matches your official documents for consistency.
  • Professional Email Address: Use a professional email address that reflects your name (For example: firstname.lastname@email.com).
  • Phone Number: Include your phone number with the correct country code for easy contact (For example, if you are based in UAE, use +971 followed by your number, e.g., +971 50 123 4567).
  • LinkedIn Profile URL: Add your LinkedIn profile link to your CV, ensuring both the CV and LinkedIn are up-to-date and aligned with each other.
  • Professional Photo: Include a formal, high-quality photo - avoid using selfies or casual pictures.
2
Professional Summary

Craft a compelling summary that showcases your career that includes:

  • 3-4 sentences summarizing your professional background: Briefly describe your key expertise and career highlights.
  • Highlight key skills and achievements: Mention your core strengths and major accomplishments.
  • Tailor it to the job role you're applying for: Customize your summary to match the position.

For example: “Results-driven Sales Executive with 5+ years of experience in the FMCG sector, specializing in driving revenue growth and building strong client relationships. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and increasing customer retention by 15%.”
3
Key Skills / Areas of Expertise

Highlight the skills that make you a strong candidate:

  • List 6-8 relevant skills for the job you are applying for.
  • Include both technical and soft skills: Showcase a balance of technical abilities and interpersonal skills.
  • Use keywords from the job description: Incorporate specific skills or terms from the job ad to optimize your CV.
4
Work Experience

List jobs in reverse chronological order: Start with your most recent position and work backward.

For each role, include:
  • Job Title: Your position in the company.
  • Company Name: The organization where you worked.
  • Location: City and country of the company.
  • Dates of Employment: Start and end dates of your role.
  • Company’s Website: Link to the company’s website if available.
Provide:
  • Brief Description of Responsibilities: Summarize your key duties and areas of focus.
  • 3-5 Quantifiable Achievements: Highlight measurable accomplishments (e.g., "Increased company revenue by 20%," "Reduced operational costs by 15%").
  • Use Action Verbs: Start with dynamic verbs like "Led," "Managed," "Increased," "Developed," etc., to emphasize your impact.
5
Education

Showcase your academic background:

  • List the highest degree first: Mention the degree, specialization, and date of completion.
  • Institution name and honors: Include honors or awards if applicable.
6
Certifications & Trainings

Include any professional certifications:

  • Relevant Certifications: List any certifications that are pertinent to your career or the job you're applying for. For each certification, provide the following details: certification name, issuing organization, and completion date.
  • Industry-specific training or workshops: Highlight any specialized training or workshops that are relevant to your field.
7
Achievements

Mention any notable achievements:

  • Awards, honors, or recognitions: Highlight any recognition received for your work.
  • Major projects or successful outcomes: Include key projects with successful results.
8
Technical Skills

List the tools, platforms, or software you're proficient in:

  • Mention industry-relevant tools: Include software like MS Office, Salesforce, or industry-specific platforms.
9
Volunteer Work (Optional)

Include volunteer work if it adds value:

  • Relevant to the job: Demonstrates community engagement or personal development.
10
Personal Information

Include the following personal details as they are often required in the Middle East:

  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Nationality
  • Marital Status
  • Visa Status (If on visit visa, please include expiry date)
  • Driving License
  • Languages
11
Formatting

Keep the design professional and clean:

  • Standard fonts: Use fonts like Arial or Times New Roman for clarity.
  • Bullet points for clarity: Use bullet points to make the information easy to read.
  • Consistent formatting: Maintain uniform margins and font sizes (10-12 points) throughout.
  • Proofread for accuracy: Ensure your CV is free of spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Keep it concise: Aim for 2-3 pages that cover all key details.
At Agile Consultants, we understand the competitive nature of job applications and are here to support you in making a lasting impression. By following this CV Checklist, you can craft a resume that not only highlights your qualifications and experiences effectively but also aligns with the expectations of the Middle Eastern job market.

For those seeking expert help, take advantage of our CV Assistance service, where our team will work closely with you to develop a compelling CV that emphasizes your strengths and boosts your job opportunities.