HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT CV

Sharp Consultancy’s Salary Survey 2026/27: Finding the Best Talent in a Competitive Yorkshire Finance Market

Over the past 12 months, the Yorkshire finance and accountancy employment market has entered a relatively stable period following several years of volatility and rapid salary inflation.Hiring activity remains consistent across most finance disciplines, however employers are adopting a more cautious and measured approach to permanent recruitment, likely borne from the economic uncertainty businesses are navigating. As a result, there has been a wider increase across interim hires and salary movement has become more controlled with recruitment processes taking longer than in previous years. Despite this stabilisation, skills shortages continue to be a defining feature of the market. This is particularly evident between the qualified and senior level, where replacement hiring in key roles continues to exceed the available candidate pool and the data reflected in this salary survey aligns closely with what we are seeing daily across the Yorkshire finance market. While hiring volumes have levelled out, the underlying challenge remains unchanged: demand for high-quality finance professionals continues to outweigh supply. What the data does not always fully capture, but we have seen consistently across the market, is the increasing complexity behind each hire. Employers are no longer simply recruiting for technical capability; they are seeking finance professionals who can influence, adapt and add value, often in uncertain trading conditions. This has resulted in longer recruitment timelines, narrower shortlists and a growing reliance on trusted market insight to secure the right individuals. Across the candidate market we are seeing a more selective approach to new opportunities. Job seekers are making increasingly considered career decisions, weighing role scope, leadership quality, flexibility and long-term opportunity alongside salary. Many of the strongest candidates are not actively applying for roles, which means traditional, employer led recruitment strategies are no longer sufficient. Employers are no longer simply recruiting for technical capability; they are seeking finance professionals who can influence, adapt and add value, often in uncertain trading conditions.This is where a relationship-driven recruitment partner becomes vital. At Sharp Consultancy, and through our work with our executive division - The CFO Partnership - our long-standing relationships across the South Yorkshire finance community allow us to engage with high-performing talent that is not always visible to the wider market. Our understanding of both client environments and individual career motivations enables us to make introductions that are aligned not just on skills, but on culture, ambition and long-term fit. In a market where salary growth is increasingly controlled and competition for talent remains intense, our ability to advise, challenge and guide both clients and candidates is vital. Recruitment partnerships built on trust, transparency and deep market knowledge are what ultimately ensure the best outcomes - securing the right talent for our clients, and the right opportunities for the candidates we represent.

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An impressive and relevant CV will make all the difference in determining whether or not you are selected for an interview.

A potential employer must be able to easily see how suitable you are for the role; a poorly constructed CV – no matter how much relevant experience you have – could be your downfall and prevent you from progressing to the interview stage.

To make sure you give yourself the best chance of success, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions asked by candidates on how to compile the best possible CV.

How long should a CV be?

Ideally, your CV should be no more than two pages long. Make sure that you set it out in a clear, logical order, using bullet points and short sentences to keep it punchy and use a font and typeface that is easy to read.

Thoroughly check your CV over for typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors and unless the application requests otherwise, save your document as your full name and CV to make it easy to identify by the recipient.

What should I include on my CV and in what order?

A potential employer may have many CVs to sift through; you need to make sure that the most relevant information is included first so that it grabs their attention. Carefully consider what the role requires and tailor your content accordingly to clearly demonstrate where you have the ideal skills and experience that they are looking for.

Make sure that the language that you use is relevant and look to reflect key words and phrases from the role requirements to reinforce your suitability.

What skills and experience should I include?

No matter what stage you are at in your career, ensure that you tailor your skills and experience to be relevant to each role that you are applying for.

Previous roles should be listed in chronological order with your current or most recent position first.

When outlining your skills and experience, it may not be possible to include every aspect from every role that you’ve held so place most emphasis on those which align to the requirements of the job role and person specification. Where possible include relevant examples, results and achievements to illustrate your suitability for the position.

What education details are most relevant?

Much will depend upon the position that you are applying for and how necessary your qualifications are to that role. For example, if you are educated to degree level, your individual results at GCSE level may not be as relevant.

Focus upon the qualifications and certificates that are relevant to the role that you are applying for – particularly if they are listed amongst the essential or desirable selection criteria - and make sure to include any additional training or courses you have completed or are currently studying for whilst working.

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 discuss your recruitment needs with a member of our team.