Proper preparation is vital to landing a job in tough times

Young Emiratis are waiting with great anticipation for the end of this month to attend the Tawdheef - the job recruitment exhibition. Some of my friends already know which company booths they will visit.

A cynical few don't intend to visit any, saying the companies are only there for public relations purposes.

"I submitted my résumé to a human resource representative in a similar exhibition before. Just a few minutes later, I looked over to their desk and saw that same person throw away my CV. It was so discouraging," says Mariam, an acquaintance of mine.

While there are clearly not enough openings in the UAE for all job seekers, Emiratis are still being hired. Every day, many Emiratis are chosen over thousands of others who are also ready and able to contribute to the UAE's development.

The million-dollar question is: why are some hired and others not? Sometimes there is an obvious reason, such as relevant experience, a high-quality education or good connections.

But there are other reasons for failing to land that job, reasons that are just as significant and perhaps obvious - poor résumés and interview skills. These especially apply to new graduates and people who have not been interviewed in a long time.

Having taken a number of human resource courses as part of my master's programme in England, I ended up editing and rewriting many of my friend's résumés, or CVs, which provided me with an unusual perspective on the situation.

No matter how eligible a person is for a job, if their résumé is not structured to reflect their suitability, no one will buy it.

I came to this conclusion after discussing this with human resource employees in leading Abu Dhabi organisations - and they all agree with me.

However, there is always a solution to any problem, and those experts in the field have provided me with valuable tips.

Review your résumé. Review it again. Have someone with excellent linguistic and grammar skills review it. I cannot recall the number of times I have edited résumés with misspelled words. Hasn't anyone heard of spell-check? A résumé is an introduction of you as a person. If it is done poorly, it can have a major effect on an employer's decision.

Do not be late for an interview. We Arabs are often fashionably late. But in this case, don't be.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. That will give you a few minutes to become acquainted with where you are, catch your breath, and review your key selling points before your meeting.

Read about the company. Understand its field of business. Know the names of the directors and the key managers, and read the latest press releases, if there are any.

Interviewers will expect you to be familiar with all such easily obtained information, and they will also expect an intelligent response when they ask you why you want to join their company in particular.

Dress appropriately. Unless you are heading to a wedding, leave the bling and denim at home.

Ask questions, especially when the interviewer asks if you have any. If you do not, you will appear uninterested, or too shy. Ask good questions, such as what will you be doing if hired? And what does the company do to train new employees? Avoid questions such as "when can I take my first holiday?".

Always keep in mind that you need to think like a salesperson, and the product you are pitching is yourself.

Think about the things you have done in college, a previous job, or work in the community that would show your commitment, team skills, and time-management techniques. Find a way to mention them in your résumé, and think of appropriate responses to likely questions. Much effort should be put towards a CV and a job interview. These are a job seeker's key selling points.

The job market has never been as competitive for Emiratis as it is now, and the economic outlook is not bright. So do not give interviewers an excuse to reject you.

Investing in the details may not change the unemployment rate, but it can transform your prospects.

Manar Al Hinai is an Emirati fashion designer and writer