If you’ve applied to dozens of roles online with little or no response, you’re not alone. Every month, career strategist Trisha Chapman connects with hundreds of job seekers in or trying to enter the UAE job market. The common pattern? Strong CVs, great experience, but almost no strategy.

In her words, “Most have solid CVs. Many have great experience. Rarely did they have a solid strategy.”

Some of these same job seekers are now holding conversations with top employers like Dubai Holding, Serco, Accor, and Accenture and not by applying through job portals. Instead, they’re using four powerful systems that shift the job search from random noise to real results.

Let’s break down Trisha Chapman’s 4-step strategy that is helping candidates stand out and get hired in the UAE.

1. VVS: “Visible, Valuable, Searchable”

Trisha’s first principle is visibility. If recruiters can’t find you, they can’t hire you.

She encourages job seekers to stop treating their LinkedIn headline as just a job title. It is actually your personal SEO. Recruiters use LinkedIn like a search engine, typing in keywords related to skills, titles, and industries. Your profile needs to match those terms.

But visibility alone isn’t enough. Your content should also position you as valuable. That means sharing insights, commenting meaningfully on industry posts, and engaging in ways that show you’re not just looking for a job, but ready to contribute.

To become searchable, make sure your profile includes the right keywords, from the summary to experience sections. And be active because static profiles rarely stand out.

Takeaway: Build a LinkedIn presence that makes you easy to find and impossible to ignore.

2. UAE-RAP: “Referrals Are Power”

In the UAE job market, personal connections often outweigh professional qualifications. As Trisha puts it, “Who knows you matters more than where you’ve worked.”

Job seekers who rely only on job portals are missing out on the hidden job market the one powered by relationships and referrals. Most roles never get advertised online. Instead, they are filled through internal networks or word of mouth.

That is why Trisha coaches her clients to build bridges. Reconnect with former colleagues. Send thoughtful DMs to professionals in your industry. Join local groups or communities, both online and offline.

Rather than sending out 100 applications, try building 10 meaningful connections. The impact is often greater.

Takeaway: Don’t just send CVs build real, human connections that lead to referrals.

3. ATS-FIT: “Application Tracking System Fit”

Even when you apply online, your CV has to pass a robot before it reaches a human. Most companies in the UAE use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes.

Trisha reminds job seekers that formatting and keywords are critical. If your CV is too complex or lacks role-specific language, it may never reach a recruiter.

She advises using a simple, clean design. Tailor every application based on the job description. Avoid using one generic CV for all applications. A few targeted adjustments can greatly increase your chances of passing the ATS scan.

Takeaway: Make your CV readable by machines first that’s how it gets seen by people.

4. CEO-MIND: “Career Executive Ownership”

This is perhaps Trisha’s most empowering principle. You are the CEO of your job search. That means you lead, not wait.

Many job seekers get stuck in reactive mode waiting for job alerts, waiting for replies, waiting for someone to find them. But as Trisha says, “No one’s coming to rescue your career you lead it.”

She encourages job seekers to audit their online presence, track their results, and experiment with new approaches. From updating your LinkedIn banner to attending networking events, everything should be part of a proactive plan.

Takeaway: Own your job search like it’s a business. You are the product. Sell it well.

About Trisha Chapman

Trisha Chapman is an Australian career strategist who brings warmth, clarity, and results to every client she works with. Known for her relaxed, no-nonsense approach, Trisha helps job seekers uncover and showcase what makes them uniquely valuable.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or a seasoned executive, her systems and personal branding strategies are designed to help you make your mark in the Gulf.

She believes that job seekers don’t need another CV template. What they need are systems systems that flip the script, create visibility, and turn job chasing into job choosing.

If you are ready to take control of your job search in the UAE, Trisha’s framework is a game-changer. And it all starts with the mindset that you are already enough you just need to show it the right way.

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