Why Writing A Stand-Out Finance CV Is Crucial In The Middle East

Home to some of the most influential financial institutions in the world, the Middle East represents a hub of opportunity for those with money processing and mathematical skills. Of course, while many organisations are searching for the ultimate finance star, you can't expect to simply walk into a bank or accounting agency and walk out with a new job.  

The first step in impressing any employer is writing a CV/Resume which demonstrates your skills, showcases your experience and blows the competition out of the water. While a specialist recruitment agency can provide you with the resources you need to make the right impact every time, the following advice will help you to build an effective CV for your job search.  

1. Demonstrate your Technical Achievements  

Whether you're following a career path into corporate banking, or you specialise in financing and consumer insight, your new employer will be looking for a specific set of skills. Your CV is your chance to showcase a host of relevant talents that can make you more appealing for a role. For instance: 

• Good IT skills are a huge bonus in today's digitally-focused environment. Demonstrate your knowledge of popular fintech software, and ask your recruitment agency for advice on which tech your would-be employer uses so you can customise your CV.  
• Analytical insights: Rapid advancements in data storage and technology have fuelled an ongoing demand for financial hires with a knowledge of security and safe wealth management.  
• Regulatory knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the space you're applying for. For instance, do you have training in commercial or wholesale banking, federal compliance, or risk analysis? 

Remember, the best finance professionals use numbers constantly, so use figures to make your knowledge more quantifiable. For instance, talk about how you contributed to company turnover in your last job or highlight percentages that give weight to your achievements in other roles. 

2. Show Your Soft Skills 

When a hiring manager evaluates your CV, they're not just looking for financial knowledge. Leading companies also want to see evidence of soft skills that will contribute to stronger company culture and a high-performing team. To increase your chances of getting an interview, highlight things like: 

• Your communication skills: Financial hires communicate with both clients and specialists. This means that you'll need to be able to translate financial jargon into everyday language for customers and keep up with complex conversations. Language skills in Arabic and English will also come in handy for Middle East roles.  
• Teamwork: Financial employees often work in teams. Use quick insights into previous roles to show that you know how to act as part of a group, and even lead one when the situation calls for it.  
• Emotional intelligence: You'll be able to show this more in your interview, but a CV or cover letter can also indicate that you understand how your actions indicate others in a company dynamic.  

3. Customise Your CV for the Role  

Your CV is your opportunity to market yourself to a new employer. The biggest mistake that financial applicants can make when looking for a role in the Middle East is to create a generic CV and use it for every company.  

Before you start writing anything, speak to your specialist recruitment agency and learn as much as you can about what the company is looking for. For instance, your employer might prefer a new staff member who has an interest in digital transformation and technology. Alternatively, a different company might prize sales knowledge over tech skills. Once you know the details of the company you're applying for, you can highlight what makes you special, including: 

• The languages you're proficient in: Arabic and English are a good start, but if the company you're applying for works with clients from different regions of the world, additional training might be necessary.  
• Employment history: Look at everything from your experience in similar roles, to your internships and voluntary work to tailor your CV to suit the position.  
• Personal interests: Can you adjust your personal interests to suit the business? For instance, if the employer is interested in people who constantly innovate, you can highlight your willingness to learn new skills outside of work or attend training days.  

4. Be Meticulous  

Writing the right CV for a finance role in MENA is complicated. Convincing a hiring manager that you're the perfect fit for the job requires a deep understanding of both the position you're applying for and the company you'll be joining. Of course, you only have a limited space in which to sell yourself to your employer.  

Bullet points at the top of your application can help you to highlight why you're perfect for the job. Additionally, make sure that you read through your CV and eliminate anything that's not relevant to each application. Double-checking the details will help you to cut down the size of your CV, as well as giving you a chance to discover any typing mistakes or errors you've made along the way.  

As you edit each segment, check that you've added keywords to the content that might catch someone's eye. For instance, if you're applying for financial technology, you might use words like fintech, or "digital transformation."  

Remember, a carefully crafted CV can mean the difference between getting the role of a lifetime and missing out on an incredible opportunity. Make sure you're confident in the selling power of each application.  

Thanks,

Chris

About Flowtalent

The GCC is a dynamic and growing market where identifying top talent and world class professionals for the financial services industry is highly competitive.

Flow provide an executive search service led by industry experts, geared to any level of role within the Financial Services Industry. This service is driven by innovative, established and proven research teams who customize each requirement from our clients.

Importantly at Flowtalent, we meet with all our candidates face to face to gain an understanding of their requirements, ensuring we guide them in finding their ideal role.

You can download our complimentary guide on how to attract UAE national talent here. To get in contact send us an email.