Introduction: Your Resume – Your Professional Identity Card
In the competitive job market of the Middle East, your resume is the first thing a recruiter sees about you. Statistics show that the average reading time for a single resume is less than 7 seconds before an initial decision is made. Therefore, your resume must be able to grab attention and highlight your value in the blink of an eye. In this guide, we will teach you how to write a professional resume using best practices, while leveraging the tools of the Kofo Job platform to build a complete profile.
Fact: 75% of recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. If your resume is not compatible with these systems, it will never reach human eyes.
Part One: Fundamentals of a Modern Resume
Modern resumes differ from traditional ones. Here are the essential elements to include:
Personal Information
Full name, current job title, city/country, phone number, email, link to your Kofo Job profile (optional but useful).
Professional Summary
A short paragraph (3-4 lines) highlighting your key experiences, skills, and career goals. Tailor it to the job you are applying for.
Work Experience
List previous jobs in reverse chronological order. For each job: title, company name, period, and bullet points describing achievements (not just tasks).
Education & Qualifications
Academic degrees, certified training courses, and professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CMA, etc.).
Skills
Divide skills into: Hard Skills and Soft Skills. Add proficiency level for each (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert).
Languages
Specify the languages you speak and your proficiency level (Native, Fluent, Intermediate).
Projects & Achievements
If you have notable projects or achievements (e.g., published research, awards), add them in a separate section.
Hobbies & Interests (Optional)
Can give a glimpse of your personality, but keep them relevant to the job if possible.
Fatal Resume Mistakes
- Spelling or grammatical errors.
- Using task-oriented phrasing instead of achievements (e.g., "Responsible for..." instead of "Achieved a sales increase of...").
- Too long (more than two pages) or too short (less than one page).
- Including false or exaggerated information.
- Not customizing the resume for each job.
- Using complex designs or unclear fonts.
Part Two: How to Write Each Section Professionally
1. Professional Summary
This is the first paragraph a recruiter reads, so it must be strong and concise. Follow this formula: [Job Title] + [Years of Experience] + [Key Skills] + [Major Achievements] + [Career Goal]. Example:
"Certified Accountant with 8 years of experience in the Saudi banking sector. Proficient in financial analysis, budgeting, and applying international accounting standards. Led a financial transformation project that reduced costs by 15%. Seeking to contribute to the growth of a leading financial company."
2. Work Experience (Achievement-Based)
Instead of listing tasks, write your achievements using numbers and results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Example:
❌ Task-Based
Sales Manager at Alofoq Company:
- Responsible for following up with clients.
- Preparing sales reports.
- Coordinating with the marketing team.
✅ Achievement-Based
Sales Manager at Alofoq Company:
- Achieved a 35% increase in sales within one year by developing new strategies.
- Created a sales reporting system that reduced preparation time from 3 days to 4 hours.
- Led a cross-functional team to launch a successful marketing campaign that generated an additional 2 million SAR in revenue.
3. Skills – Keywords
Choose the skills that are in demand. Search on Kofo Job for the most requested skills in your field and add them to your list. Divide skills into:
- Hard Skills: Software, programming languages, specific techniques.
- Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving.
4. Education & Certifications
List them in reverse chronological order. Add the date obtained and the issuing body. If you are still a student, mention your major and expected graduation date.
Part Three: Resume Formatting (Design Tips)
- Ideal Length: One page for less than 5 years of experience, two pages for longer experience.
- Fonts: Use clear fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, size 10-12 for text, larger for headings.
- Margins: Keep margins between 1.25 cm and 2.5 cm.
- Formatting: Use bullet points for easy reading, and avoid complex tables.
- Final File: Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting, unless the employer requests a Word document.
Tip: On Kofo Job, you can use the "Resume Builder" tool, which automatically generates a well-formatted resume based on your profile data.
Part Four: Optimizing Your Resume for ATS
Many large companies in the Middle East use ATS to filter resumes. These systems look for specific keywords. To ensure your resume passes these systems:
- Use the keywords from the job description naturally in your resume.
- Avoid using symbols or graphics that the system may not read.
- Use simple formatting (clear headings, bullet points).
- Make sure your PDF is text-based (not a scanned image).
Part Five: Sample Resume (Template)
Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ali
Title: Senior Software Engineer | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | +966 55 123 4567 | a.alahmed@email.com | Kofo Job Profile
Professional Summary
Software Engineer with 6 years of experience in web application development using JavaScript and Python. Involved in designing and implementing complex systems serving over 100,000 users. AWS Developer Certified. Seeking to contribute to innovative tech solutions in a leading company.
Work Experience
Senior Software Engineer – Takween Tech Solutions (Riyadh) | 2022 – Present
- Led a team of 4 developers to launch a content management platform, increasing work efficiency by 30%.
- Developed high-performance APIs handling 50,000 requests daily.
- Implemented cybersecurity practices that reduced vulnerabilities by 40%.
Web Developer – Digital Horizon Company (Riyadh) | 2019 – 2022
- Designed and maintained over 10 websites for clients across various sectors.
- Collaborated with the UX team to improve user experience, increasing session duration by 25%.
Education
Bachelor of Computer Science – King Saud University (2019) – Honors degree.
Skills
Hard: JavaScript (Expert), Python (Intermediate), React, Node.js, AWS, MongoDB.
Soft: Team leadership, problem-solving, effective communication, time management.
Languages
Arabic (Native), English (Fluent – TOEFL 105).
Part Six: Using Kofo Job to Enhance Your Resume
Kofo Job platform not only helps you apply for jobs but also provides integrated tools to build your professional brand:
- Smart Resume Builder: Enter your data once, and get a professional resume in multiple formats.
- Skill Tests: Add skill badges to your profile to prove your competence.
- Template Library: Browse successful resume templates in your field for inspiration.
- Personalized Tips: Based on your field and experience, the platform offers suggestions to improve your resume.
Final Checklist Before Sending Your Resume
- Is your personal information accurate and up-to-date?
- Is the professional summary tailored to the target job?
- Are experiences written with achievements (including numbers)?
- Do the skills include keywords from the job ad?
- Is the formatting clean and easy to read?
- Has it been proofread for spelling and grammar errors?
- Is the file name appropriate (e.g., "Ahmed_Al-Ali_Resume.pdf")?
Conclusion: Invest Time in Your Resume – It’s Your Key to the Next Opportunity
Writing a professional resume is an investment in your future. Take the time to continuously improve it, and use Kofo Job's tools to make your profile complete and attractive. Remember, a strong resume tells your success story clearly and concisely.
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