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How to Find a Job in Dubai Without UAE Work Experience

by | August 20, 2025

August 20, 2025 Find a Job in Dubai Without UAE Work Experience

Sorry, we can’t move forward with your job application, as you don’t have UAE work experience. Does it sound familiar to you? It is one of the issues that most of the foreigners face when searching for a job in Dubai. Despite having years of work experience, sometimes they struggle to find a single Dubai job because companies are asking for UAE work experience. If you have been there and face this, we are here to help you find a job in the UAE fast and easily. 

Read this blog to know how you can find a job in Dubai without UAE work experience. 

Tips on Finding a Job in Dubai Without UAE Work Experience

You must know that UAE work experience is not the only key to finding a job in Dubai. Every day, thousands of job seekers get recruited in UAE companies without having UAE work experience. 

If you don’t have any UAE work experience, the following tips will help you find a job in Dubai easily 

1. Apply for Jobs that are Open for Expats

On the Dubai job portals, there are millions of jobs posted that doesnt require UAE work experience. However, you need to use the correct filter to get job results that are open for foreigners. Go through the filters of the job portal and apply filters like jobs for international, jobs for expats, international candidate accepted, etc.

This will help you apply for the right jobs in Dubai that doesnt require UAE work experience. 

2. Show Knowledge of UAE Industry Standards in Your Resume

Even if you don’t have UAE experience, you can show that you understand how things work in Dubai. Employers like candidates who already have knowledge about the UAE Industry standards, rules, or market practices. Research about your industry, and understand the market trends, how it works, what work you need to do, what knowledge you must have, and highlight it in your resume. This makes you stand out to UAE recruiters. Even without having UAE work experience, you can highlight that you have all the required knowledge about the UAE industry standards. 

For example, if you are applying for:

  • HR Jobs:  Knowledge of UAE Labour Law, visa rules, and end-of-service benefits should be mentioned in your CV. 
  • Accountant, Finance Roles- You can highlight your knowledge of the VAT system in the UAE and corporate tax basics in your resume. 
  • Teacher Jobs- Highlight your familiarity with KHDA guidelines or the UAE education curriculum.
  • Sales & Marketing- Get an understanding of Dubai market trends and customer buying behaviour, and highlight it in your resume. 
  • Civil Engineer / Project Manager- You must have knowledge of Dubai Municipality regulations and safety standards.
  • Logistics & Supply Chain- You should know about the Dubai customs process and free zone operations.
  • Healthcare Jobs- Mention awareness of DHA or MOH licensing requirements in your CV.

Add such details in your CV for Dubai jobs. Even one line like “Well-versed with UAE VAT system” or “Knowledge of KHDA standards in Dubai schools” can make your CV stronger.

3. Highlight Gulf Country or Other International Work Experience

If you have any other Gulf country work experience, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, etc, it also works a lot in Dubai. Highlight your Gulf country work experience in your CV by mentioning the company location and knowledge about the Gulf country markets. UAE employers also prefer candidates with Gulf country work experience. 

If you have any other work international experience in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc, highlight it in your resume. Candidates with international work experience are also preferred by the UAE work experience. 

4. International Projects and Transferable Skills

If you do not have Gulf country or international work experience, then highlight your achievements in international projects or roles that required global exposure. Employers in Dubai value this. Also, highlight your transferable skills in your resume, like communication, leadership, teamwork, customer handling, and problem-solving. These skills work everywhere, including Dubai.

Also Read: High Paying Jobs in Dubai with No Experience

5. Write a Professional CV, Cover Letter, and Job Portal Profile

How you and your socials represent you in the eyes of the Dubai recruiter also matters. If you have a well-written professional Dubai standard resume, you have already passed the first stage of recruitment. Similarly, if your job profile is on LinkedIn, Indeed.ae, Naukrigulf, etc, are weak; you will not get selected. 

  • CV: Keep it ATS-friendly, use industry keywords, highlight achievements, and show relevant UAE knowledge. 
  • Cover Letter:  Personalize it for every application. Show your interest in the Dubai market and explain why you are a good fit even without UAE experience. 
  • Job Portal Profile:  Complete your profile on LinkedIn, Bayt, GulfTalent, and NaukriGulf. Use a professional photo, write a strong headline, and add a skills section properly. 

Most people only upload a CV and ignore their job portal profile. But recruiters in Dubai search your profiles directly. A complete profile increases your chances of getting shortlisted. 

 Also Read: How To Write Dubai CV As Per ATS System?

5. Be Flexible With Your First Job in the UAE

If you are entering the Dubai job market for the first time, don’t be too rigid with your choices and salary expectations. Don’t expect your first salary in Dubai to offer you a direct luxury lifestyle. The initial days of careers in Dubai require hard work. You may need to start with a slightly lower position or salary just to get that “UAE experience” on your CV. This doesn’t mean you will stay stuck in that position forever. Many professionals start small and then move to better job roles in Dubai once they get UAE experience.

For example:

  • A teacher might start as an assistant teacher.
    An HR professional might start as an HR coordinator.
    An engineer might first join as a site supervisor.

Once you get 1 year of local UAE experience, you can easily move to better roles and higher salaries.

Note: Research the right salary for your job profile in Dubai based on your years of work experience, and then accept any job offer. 

Also Read: What is a Good Salary in Dubai?

6. Upgrade Your Skills Before Applying

The Dubai job market is competitive for beginners. If you are a fresher you need to highlight more Dubai industry skills. You can take a course or get UAE certifications for that. Research about the Top in Demand Skills for Dubai Job Market in 2025 for your job industry and take Dubai-level course for that. The more skills you have, the easier it becomes to get shortlisted.

  • Take short online courses (LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy).
  • Get UAE-recognized certifications (like PMP, TEFL, ACCA, CMA).
  • Learn basic Arabic (especially useful in sales, customer service, and HR).

When you show you are prepared for the Dubai market, employers will trust your ability to adjust quickly.

Also Read: How to Get Government Jobs in Dubai?

7. Be Open to Internships or Volunteering

If you are a fresher or someone changing careers, internships or volunteering in Dubai can help you build local experience. Many people who started as interns in Dubai later secured full-time jobs. Even if the pay is low in the beginning, it gives you:

  • Exposure to Dubai’s work culture.
  • References from UAE employers.
  • A stronger resume for future applications.

Also Read: How to Get a Job in Dubai as a Fresher?

8. Network with UAE Recruiters

If you don’t have UAE work ex

perience or any connection with anyone in the UAE and are looking for a job, then you need to do networking. Find Dubai-based recruiters on LinkedIn, and connect with them. Create a professional relationship, talk about your industry trends, and ask for a job recommendation or referrals. Networking is not a one-day task; it takes time. But if you have a good connection with Dubai recruiters, you can get a recommendation or early access to job openings and interviews. 

9.  Prepare Well for Interviews

If you get shortlisted, the interview is your chance to prove yourself. Passing a Dubai job interview requires proper preparation. You can’t expect to show up for the interview round and clear it without any preparation. There will be other candidates along with you who will be giving the interview for the same job. To beat those candidates, you need to learn How to Prepare For Your First Job Interview in Dubai. Since you don’t have UAE work experience, employers might ask, Have you worked in Dubai before?

A good way to answer is:
 “I haven’t worked in Dubai yet, but I have strong experience in [your field], and I’ve researched how the UAE market works. I am confident I can adapt quickly and deliver results.”

Show confidence, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for working in Dubai. 

Also Read: How to Answer Common Dubai Job Interview Questions

We hope that you find this post on How to Find a Job in Dubai Without UAE Work Experience informative. If you are finding it difficult to find a job in Dubai, we can help you find one easily. At Learnwithfaiz, we offer full job support services and job apply support, which have helped many job seekers.