Career Advice Detail Gulf

General tips for finding and applying for a graduate job in Oman

CV/Resume:

Writing a resume that successfully gets past all the filters and gets you into the shortlist of prospective candidates for a job is one of the most important preps for job applications. In order to find jobs in Oman, it is important to write a clean, organised and specific resume in order to catch the employers’ attention.　

Keep it short: On average, an employer spends 8 seconds glancing at a CV before deciding whether it is accepted or rejected. In order to catch their attention, keep the CV no longer than 2 A4 pages. Anything longer and the reader will lose attention.　

Make it specific: It is important to modify your CV to make it more compatible with the job description you are applying for. Reword it to make it specifically meet the skills required.　

Make it date-specific: Employers want to know how you’ve spent your time, from high school all the way to post-university; therefore it is important to mention skills or experiences gained, even during time off. This proves to the employer that you were doing something productive like travel or freelance during your period of unemployment.　

Keep it up to date: keeping your achievements and skillset regularly updated shows employers that you are detail-oriented and responsible.　

Keep it professional: The visual appearance of your CV is just as important as the content. Employers will be more likely to continue reading a resume if it is organised, crisp and as short as possible. Use bullet points, leave enough spacing between sections to make reading easier, and make each sentence as short as possible.　

Source: http://www.gulfjobsmarket.com/career-advice

Cover Letter:

Nowadays, including a cover letter with your CV is vital to getting the attention needed to get to the next level of the application process. Omitting a CV with your application sends a negative message to the employer, and gives you less of a chance to pitch yourself to them.　

Always keep the letter formal, and address it to one person (often the HR manager or the person whose name appears alongside the job advert). Avoid using "Dear Sir/Madam" unless you are unable to find out any specific person to address.

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to summarise the reasons why you are the perfect candidate for the job, without being repetitive of the information already existent in your resume.

It also allows you to portray your knowledge of the company/employer. It leaves a good impression when you include a fact or observation about the organisation to which you are applying.

Let the employer know about your current position. Employers like to know that you are being productive, even during times of unemployment.

Talk about the work experience you have had in the past, and why it has given you the appropriate skillset that are required for the job you are applying to.

End the letter with "Sincerely yours" to keep it professional.
 

Interview:

Once you get past the first obstacle, you move on to the Interview process. Getting through an interview can be stressful if you are not prepared for the questions employers usually ask. Not only do employers use interviews as a way to gain more information about your skills and experiences, it is also the prime opportunity for them to find out about your character and professionalism. Below are some of the questions that are usually asked during interviews:　

How would you describe yourself?

This question gives you the opportunity to sell yourself, but remember to keep your answer short and succinct i.e. about a minute long.

Why did you apply for this job?

Your answer to this question should comprise of two parts: reasons why your skillset is a match for their requirement, and to display your genuine interest in the company and their work.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Always remember to keep your answers realistic. It is important to seem reassured of yourself, so as not to give off the impression of being lost.

What do you think the future of (the industry) is?

This question is often asked to test your knowledge and awareness of the industry in question. The employer wants to know that you have sufficient background knowledge and an analytical point of view about the industry before he/she gives you even the slightest responsibility to shape it.

Why should we give you the job?

This question gives you the opportunity to portray your knowledge of the responsibilities and tasks the job position entails. It is also an opportunity to summarise your skills and highlight the ones that make you the perfect match for the position.

What are your weaknesses?

It is best to not clearly admit to any particular weaknesses in answer to this question but instead specify an area of work in which you would like to get better through the correct training or experience. It is also vital not to mention any of the areas that are specifically crucial for the job.
　

Useful Websites and Recruiters:

Employers often post their job vacancies on recruitment websites in order to get the highest possible number of candidates’ applications. It is important to cover all grounds when searching for jobs so as not to miss out on any vacancy. The following are the most used recruitment websites in Oman:　

Bayt: https://www.bayt.com/en/oman/

Gulf Talent: https://www.gulftalent.com/oman/jobs

Al Jazeera: http://www.aljazeerajobs.com/jobs/jobs-in-oman.html

Gulf News: http://www.gncareers.com/jobs/oman-30634536-b

Monster Gulf: http://jobsearch.monstergulf.com/jobresults/jobs-in-oman.html

Naukri Gulf: http://www.naukrigulf.com/jobs-in-oman

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com