The Truth About Construction Recruitment in the Middle East

The resume you think is impressive might actually be the one that’s getting ignored. Having spent years in recruitment, I’m going to cut through the noise and tell you exactly what clients want – and what they don’t.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, 𝟵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟬 resumes I come across do not meet the standard clients expect.

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Here’s where 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 candidates are going wrong:

1. Poor Formatting and Design
2. Grammatical and Spelling Errors
3. Lack of subject focus
4. Overly Long or Too Short
5. Lack of Tailoring to the Job
6. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements
7. Irrelevant or Outdated Information
8. Vague Job Descriptions
9. Missing Key Skills
10. Unexplained Employment Gaps

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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵:

Big Names Matter More Than You Think

It’s not just about what you’ve done; it’s about where you’ve done it. Clients associate candidates with the reputations of the companies they’ve worked for. Like it or not, that brand recognition often carries more weight than your individual accomplishments.

Showcase the Big Projects

Clients want to see you’ve worked on notable, recognised projects. Mentioning generic responsibilities won’t cut it. If your resume doesn’t highlight specific, impactful projects, you’re missing out.

‍Clean Formatting Is Key

A well-designed resume is an instant reflection of your professionalism. If your resume looks like it was pulled from the early 2000s, you’ve already lost them.‍

Stability Speaks Volumes

Frequent job changes? That’s a red flag. Clients want to see stability and commitment. Longevity in roles shows that you’re not just jumping ship for the next opportunity – you’re invested in your career.‍

It's All About the Wins

Don’t just list responsibilities – show results! Key achievements, with real numbers, stand out more than vague tasks.

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We spent 15 minutes on Canva designing something that truly reflects the key points above. We've aimed to create something that aligns with what works best—though we know opinions may vary: View here

Hope this helps everyone!