SWAPPING THE GOLF COURSE FOR A ROLE IN RECRUITMENT

Why a Strong CV is Non-Negotiable for Finance Professionals in 2025

As a Senior Resourcer at Sharp Consultancy, I’ve reviewed thousands of CVs...From those just starting out to seasoned professionals with decades of experience. One thing remains consistent: in today’s competitive market, a strong CV isn’t optional—it’s essential. Today, South Yorkshire’s finance landscape is more dynamic than ever. With growing demand across sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and tech, accountancy and finance professionals are expected to bring more than just technical skills to the table. Your CV is your first opportunity to prove you’re up to the challenge. This blog marks the start of a three-part series focused on helping you craft a standout CV tailored to your career stage and goals. In this first post, we’ll cover general CV tips relevant to all finance professionals. In the next two instalments, we’ll dive deeper into: Transactional Finance CVs – how to highlight your experience in roles such as purchase ledger, sales ledger, and credit control. Part-Qualified Finance CVs – how to position yourself for progression while studying towards your qualifications. Stay tuned for practical advice and real-world insights to help your CV rise to the top of the pile. 🕒 First Impressions MatterRecruiters and hiring managers typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning a CV. That means your CV needs to immediately communicate relevance, professionalism, and potential. A clean layout, clear structure, and tailored content can make the difference between landing an interview or being passed over. 🔍 Specialist Skillsets Are in DemandFinance roles today go far beyond number-crunching. Employers want professionals who understand how finance supports wider business goals. Whether it’s streamlining reporting, implementing new systems, or driving cost efficiencies, your CV should highlight the tangible impact you’ve made. This is your chance to showcase your value-add—what makes you different from the next candidate. Use metrics where possible to quantify your achievements and make them memorable. 📍 Standing Out in YorkshireYorkshire is home to a diverse range of industries, from advanced manufacturing and engineering to professional services and digital tech. This diversity creates exciting opportunities—but also fierce competition. To stand out, your CV should reflect sector-specific experience and transferable skills. Whether you’ve worked in a fast-paced SME or a large corporate environment, highlight how your background aligns with the needs of the region’s employers. 📊 Business Acumen is a MustFinance professionals are increasingly expected to contribute to strategic decision-making. Roles in FP&A, commercial finance, and business partnering are on the rise, and employers want candidates who can offer insight—not just information. Your CV should reflect your ability to influence outcomes. Have you helped drive revenue growth? Supported investment decisions? Improved forecasting accuracy? These are the stories that resonate with hiring managers. 📈 Show a Clear Story of ProgressionRecruiters look for signs of growth and development. A strong CV doesn’t just list job titles—it explains the “why” behind each move. Did you step into a leadership role? Take on a new challenge? Gain exposure to a different sector? Even lateral moves can be powerful if they show a deliberate effort to build your skillset. Make sure your CV tells a cohesive story of your career journey. 🔑 Final ThoughtsIn Yorkshire’s fast-moving industries, a sharp, well-crafted CV is your key to unlocking new opportunities. It’s not just about listing experience—it’s about showing impact, adaptability, and commercial value from the very first glance. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just exploring your options, now is the time to invest in your CV. Visit Our Candidate Advice Pages HereLooking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.

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Swapping the golf course for a role in recruitment is not many people’s usual career path. We caught up with Consultant Matt Civil who works in the Sheffield office to find out about how he made the move.

Tell us about your current role?

I joined Sharp Consultancy about a year ago and specialise in transactional clerical and finance roles across Sheffield and Chesterfield areas.

Your background isn’t in recruitment – what were you doing before?

Since the age of 12 golf has always been a big part of my life. At 19 I joined Hallamshire Golf Club as the Assistant Golf Professional where I undertook my three years of PGA training. After five years here, I wanted a new challenge and joined a company that manufactured golf accessories. I began my career in sales, however after a couple of years a friend of mine asked me if I wanted the opportunity to caddie around the world for an Italian professional golfer. My employer was good enough to accept my decision to take on this experience, which I did for just over 12 months.

That sounds quite an experience – how was it?

I traveled to countries that I never expected to get the chance to go to such as Kazakhstan and the Ukraine and also had the opportunity to caddie around Augusta National and at Arnold Palmer’s event, The Bay Hill Invitational, where I was also lucky enough to meet the man himself.

It was a fantastic experience but as glamorous as it may sound, I didn’t see this as a long term career. Airport, hotel, golf course, airport, hotel, golf course, airport, hotel, golf course can become very tedious after 6-8 weeks on the road and living out of hand luggage and because there aren’t any contracts with the players and you can quickly find yourself without an employer if the player decides they want a change!

What did you do next?

I returned to work for the golf accessories manufacture and took up an operational role in Dongguan, China where I had involvement in the order process, new product development and logistics. I then returned to the UK where I continued to work in operations until a restructure saw me take on the role of Production Manager. After about five years with the firm I was ready for a new challenge and a trusted friend suggested that I might be good at recruitment and it would offer the defined career path that I was then looking for.

What attracted you to the role at Sharp?

I enjoy the relationship building and networking aspects of the role and I was keen to ensure that I joined a company that was going to be right for me; I had a friend who worked in recruitment and was familiar with the business and some of the people working here and he thought that it would be somewhere that I would fit in well. He’d also seen the progress that people had made here and knew that I was looking for a role that would offer me the opportunity to develop.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Having worked in a completely different industry for so long you take for granted the knowledge that you build up over a long period of time and then to come into an entirely different sector and environment can initially be quite overwhelming and you get on board with new systems and processes. My operational and production background and skill set stood me in good stead however and I quickly got to grips with the recruitment process including developing leads, liaising with clients and interviewing candidates.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in recruitment?

If you love meeting new people and forging new relationships you can’t go far wrong with recruitment. Equally as important you will need resilience and patience as there will be times where these will be tested!

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT UStoday to talk with one of our team about your next move.

SWAPPING THE GOLF COURSE FOR A ROLE IN RECRUITMENT IS NOT MANY PEOPLE’S USUAL CAREER PATH.