‘WHY ARE YOU LOOKING TO MOVE?’

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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It’s one of the most common interview questions but from experience, it can be one of the most difficult – or at least uncomfortable – for candidates to answer confidently.

The temptation to seize upon the opportunity to be dismissive of your current employer – particularly if they are a close competitor of your potential new firm – can be great. However, delivering a well structured and thoughtful response as to why you are looking to make the next move in your new career will be more likely to pay dividends.

Let’s be honest. In more cases than not, someone will be looking for a new role because they believe they will be better served by moving to a new company – whether that is to achieve a better salary package, additional opportunities, better work life balance. With this in mind, you can be fairly sure that your interviewer understands that your desire to move will have, in some way, been prompted by a degree of dissatisfaction in your role; however, there is very little to be gained by talking about your current employer in a negative manner.

How you convey your feelings about your current role can give a potential boss an insight into your character and integrity – if they are prepared to speak about their employer like this, what would they say about this organisation in the future?

In addition, if you start to reel off a list of grievances – lack of opportunity, an unmanageable workload, promises of promotions that never materialised – you could, however valid those reasons may be, present yourself as someone who could be potentially difficult to work with. And if you work within a fairly close knit industry, there’s every chance that what you say could make its way back to your existing manager and colleagues.

When an interviewer is asking you to detail why you want to move roles, they are ideally looking for an answer which focuses upon what you see as the positive aspects of the position and the company you hope to join rather than what you feel isn’t right about your present role.

As part of your interview preparation, you should carefully consider your reasons and look at how you can expand upon your answers to demonstrate how you are well suited to the role on offer and your enthusiasm to become a member of the team. Some good starting points are:

I would like to take on additional responsibilities.....
I am ready to embark upon a new challenge....
The role available offers me the opportunity to challenge myself.....
I am keen to learn new skills.....
I am particularly interested to expand my knowledge.....

Ensure that you relate your answerback to the job description by selecting key elements which would illustrate how your career ambitions dovetail with the essential requirements of the role.

For more help and advice on how to deliver an impressive interview, take a look at our comprehensive Interview Guide

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for temporary, interim and permanent roles across the full spectrum of positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today and speak to a member of our team about your next career move.