Choosing the Right Referees: A Guide for

Evie Irons: Behind the Desk

In our latest Behind the Desk feature, we sit down with Evie Irons. Evie recently joined Sharp Consultancy as a Consultant within our Leeds office, working as part of our Transactional Temps team.Having made the move into recruitment, Evie brings a strong commercial foundation and a genuine passion for building relationships to her work supporting temporary finance professionals across Leeds.In this edition of Behind the Desk, we spend some time getting to know Evie - exploring her journey into recruitment, the lessons she's learned so far, and the perspective she brings to supporting finance professionals.Getting to Know Evie: Background and InspirationEvie's path into recruitment started with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, chosen because she wanted to understand how businesses operate and how they build relationships with customers. It was during her time at university that the people-focused side of business really caught her attention, and she began looking for a career that let her combine commercial thinking with building genuine relationships. Finance and accountancy recruitment stood out for exactly that reason. "These roles are critical to every organisation, and the market is fast-paced and constantly evolving," she explains. "I enjoy learning about different businesses, understanding their hiring needs, and matching them with candidates."Starting a new career can be a big step, and Evie admits the industry has surprised her in a few ways. She expected recruitment to be mainly about filling vacancies, but has come to learn it's really about building trust, with both clients and candidates. The pace has been another eye-opener; priorities can shift quickly, and adapting to that has pushed her to become far more organised and flexible than she might have expected going in.Industry Perspective: Lessons and Approaches in RecruitmentAsk Evie what she's found most rewarding so far, and it comes back to people. Working with graduates, much like herself, and helping them land roles that genuinely fit has been a particular highlight. "Starting your career can be challenging, so it's great to support people through that process and help them take the next step." The same goes for clients, understanding what they're looking for and finding the right person for their team, knowing that a good match makes a real difference on both sides.The reality of recruitmentIt's also given her a clearer view of what recruitment actually involves. A common misconception, she says, is that the job is just matching CVs to vacancies. In reality it's about building relationships, understanding what both candidates and clients truly want, and finding a fit that lasts, while supporting candidates through a process that can otherwise feel stressful.When it comes to what makes someone stand out in transactional finance, Evie points to reliability, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills, alongside good communication, since the role means working across different teams and managing expectations. A positive attitude, adaptability, and a genuine willingness to learn round it out, qualities she believes matter even more for candidates early in their careers.Where the market is heading?Being at the start of her recruitment career has also given Evie a sharp read on today's job market, and competition is the word that comes up most. Candidates need to stand out through the right skills, a positive attitude, and a genuine willingness to learn, and she's noticed employers increasingly looking beyond experience alone, valuing adaptability and potential to grow within a role.She's equally clear on what candidates value most from a recruiter: honesty, communication, and a sense of being genuinely supported throughout. For Evie, that means taking the time to understand what someone is really looking for and offering guidance, rather than simply putting them forward for any available role. Trust and keeping people updated, she says, make all the difference.If she could change one thing about the hiring process, it would be communication and feedback. Candidates are too often left unsure of where they stand, and clearer updates throughout would make the experience better for everyone involved.Beyond the Desk: Life Outside WorkOutside of work, Evie makes time for the people and places that matter to her. She's originally from near the Peak District and loves getting out for walks there whenever she can, alongside catching up with friends and family and the odd spot of shopping. Her free time has recently gained a new focus too, in the form of a puppy she's spending plenty of walks and quality time with.Given the choice of anywhere in the world, Evie would book a flight to New York without hesitation, drawn by the atmosphere, the landmarks, and everything there is to see and do, from Central Park and Times Square to the food, shopping, and culture the city is known for.Closer to home, the one thing she always makes time for is her friends and family, whether that's a catch-up, a walk, or simply relaxing together. It's her way of switching off and keeping a healthy balance outside of work. Since joining the business, Evie has brought energy, curiosity, and a genuine care for candidates to the team. Her people-first approach and eagerness to learn make her a valuable addition to the Leeds office.We're pleased to welcome Evie to the team and look forward to seeing her desk continue to grow in the months ahead.--At Sharp Consultancy, we're committed to giving our people the support and platform they need to build a rewarding career. If this sounds like the kind of path you'd like for yourself, take a look at our Careers page to find out more.

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Selecting the right referees is a crucial step in securing your next role in accountancy and finance.

After investing time and effort into interviews and positioning yourself as the ideal candidate, the last thing you want is for a poorly chosen reference to undermine your application.

Here’s how to approach references strategically and professionally.

What is a reference—and why does it matter?

A person typing on a laptop, with the screen displaying job references in text format.

In finance recruitment, references act as a trusted third-party validation of your experience, performance and professionalism.

For employers hiring into roles where accuracy, integrity and reliability are essential, references provide reassurance that you have delivered in previous positions and can be relied upon in a new environment.

What will employers typically ask?

When providing a reference, previous employers will usually confirm key factual details such as:

Employment dates
Job title and responsibilities
Overall performance
Attendance and conduct
Reason for leaving
Whether they would rehire you

In many cases—particularly within larger organisations—references may be purely factual. However, they must always be fair and accurate.

How many references do you need?

Typically, you’ll be asked to provide at least two referees.

One should usually be your current or most recent employer, although this is often only contacted once an offer has been made. In most applications, it’s acceptable to state “references available on request” until you reach the later stages of the recruitment process.

Who should you choose?

In accountancy and finance roles, credibility is key.

A pair of glasses on a paper alongside a pen and a book, indicating a focus on job references and professional documentation.

Your referees should be individuals who can confidently speak about your technical ability, reliability and contribution to the team. This could include:

Direct line manager
Finance Manager, Financial Controller or Finance Director
Team leader or departmental head
A senior colleague or stakeholder you’ve worked closely with

While your line manager is often the most suitable option, it’s not essential—as long as the person you choose has strong, relevant insight into your work.

Always ask permission first

Never list someone as a referee without speaking to them in advance.

This gives them the opportunity to prepare and ensures they are comfortable providing a positive and informed reference. It’s also good practice to keep them updated—particularly when you are close to securing a new role.

What details should you provide?

Make sure you supply accurate and up-to-date contact information for each referee, including:

Full name
Job title and company
Relationship to you
Email address and phone number

In finance roles, where compliance and background checks can be more thorough, ensuring accuracy here is especially important.

Choosing a second referee

If you’re unsure who to use as an additional referee, think about someone who knows your work well in a professional context.

This could be a previous employer, colleague, client, or even a tutor if you’ve recently completed an accountancy qualification. The key is that they can speak credibly about your skills, work ethic and progression.

Avoid personal contacts such as friends or family—employers will be looking for objective, work-related feedback.

Finish on a professional note

Two men in business attire seated at a table, engaged in a discussion, one identified as a manager.

Once your references have been provided, it’s important to follow up.

Thank your referees for their support and let them know the outcome of your application. Maintaining these relationships is valuable—particularly in the accountancy and finance sector, where professional networks often play a key role in future opportunities.

At Sharp Consultancy, we support finance and accountancy professionals at every stage of the recruitment process—from CV advice through to interview preparation and offer management. With specialist expertise across temporary, interim and permanent roles, we help candidates present themselves in the best possible light.

If you’re preparing for your next move and would like tailored guidance, get in touch with our team for expert advice.