STARTING A NEW JOB – BUILDING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS

Jordan Motlib: Behind the Desk

In this edition of Behind the Desk, we sit down with Jordan Motlib, who joined Sharp Consultancy earlier this year after building his experience in FinTech recruitment. Now working across the qualified finance market, Jordan brings a fresh perspective shaped by his background in financial technology and his journalism degree — both of which have helped him develop the communication and relationship-building skills that are central to successful recruitment. Since joining the team, Jordan has quickly adapted to the finance and accountancy recruitment market, developing the technical knowledge needed to support both clients and candidates with confidence. In this interview, he shares his journey into recruitment, the lessons he’s learned so far, and the qualities he believes make finance professionals truly stand out in today’s market. Understanding the Journey: Personal Insights and Inspirations You joined Sharp Consultancy in early 2026 after several years in FinTech recruitment — what attracted you to moving into finance and accountancy recruitment? Moving from FinTech into accountancy recruitment felt like a natural progression, given both sit under the wider finance umbrella. Sharp also stood out to me because of its strong reputation in the market and the depth of relationships the business has built over time. Looking back, how would you describe the journey from university into recruitment? It’s definitely been a fast-paced and steep learning curve but certainly a rewarding one. A big part of my journalism degree was building rapport quickly which is a key transferrable skill that any recruiter needs. What’s been the biggest learning or adjustment since joining Sharp and working in this market? Definitely gaining a deeper understanding of the finance and accountancy landscape, particularly the different qualification routes. I have realised this is a market, more so than others, where credibility and knowledge are so important. Learning about the technical aspects has enabled me to be in a position where I am able to offer genuine insightful advice to both clients and candidates. Industry Perspective: Lessons and Approaches in Recruitment You work with qualified, newly qualified, and qualified-by-experience professionals — what qualities do you think make candidates stand out in today’s market? Technical ability is obviously important, but what really makes a candidate stand out is their attitude and mindset. Employers want people who are commercially aware and are proactive. My most recent interviews and placements have all been with candidates who are ambitious and looking to develop – if you can get this across in interviews you will do well. What advice do you find yourself giving candidates most often during their job search? You have to look at the bigger picture. Salary is obviously an important part of any job search, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of other key factors such as career progression, the people you’ll be working with, and the overall culture of the business. I’ve seen situations where someone moves for a slightly higher salary, only to be looking again 12 months later because there’s limited opportunity to develop or the environment isn’t the right fit. In my experience, candidates who take the time to think about where a role could take them in the long term, rather than focusing purely on the immediate offer, tend to be the ones who are happiest and most successful in their careers. Building strong relationships is a big part of your approach — what do you think makes a recruiter genuinely valuable to both clients and candidates? I think trust and honesty. A good recruiter should understand what candidates and clients are looking for, but what makes them truly valuable is the ability to give constructive feedback and provide deeper insight to the market. Being transparent and giving honest feedback makes the process so much more effective for everyone involved. Ultimately, the goal is to build relationships that go beyond just one placement and whilst that may sound cliché it’s genuinely at the forefront of how I operate. Fun and Light-hearted Rugby, football, cricket, golf — safe to say you’re a sports fan! If you had to pick one sport to play forever, which would win? Definitely golf. I do still play rugby and football but it’s definitely a lot more painful the next day. At least with golf I can play at my own pace and enjoy the 19th hole. What’s your ideal way to spend a day off? I love getting out to the Peaks whenever I can. There are loads of good walks and pubs to finish at. If you could watch any sporting event live anywhere in the world, what would be top of your list and why? It’s a toss up between day 4 of the Masters or the Boxing Day test at the MCG. But because of England’s terrible record in Australia, I’ll stick with the Masters. Whether he’s advising candidates on their next career move or supporting clients in finding the right addition to their team, Jordan is focused on building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and genuine insight. As he continues to grow his presence within the qualified finance market, his people-first approach and commitment to understanding the bigger picture will no doubt make a lasting impact across Yorkshire. We’re pleased to welcome Jordan to the team and look forward to seeing him progress. -- As Sharp Consultancy, we are committed to giving recruiters the support and platform they need to develop their careers — and we’re always open to conversations with those considering their next move. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about Careers at Sharp.

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Starting a new job is bound to bring a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and as well as making a strong early impression on your boss, it’s important that you quickly settle into your team and establish working relationships with colleagues in other departments.

Here are our tips for getting the most out of those early weeks:

Be prepared to help – and don’t wait to be asked!

When getting up to speed, it is common to feel like everybody is so busy and you have little to do in comparison. Show that you are proactive by offering to assist with particular tasks – as well as giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge it will also give you a chance to learn more about the processes and systems that are used within the team. Be careful not to take on too much or volunteer for something which you are not comfortable tackling – and make sure you aren’t seen as someone who others can just offload tasks onto; your own workload and responsibilities will quickly increase as you settle into your role.

Be reliable – and if you need help, ask for it

Nobody will expect you to know everything straight from the off. Even if you are highly experienced in your role, you will still need time to get up to speed on the particular systems and working methods within your new company. If you are unsure about something don’t be afraid to ask – your colleagues would far rather take a little time out from their day to explain something than have to try and rectify any mistakes or redo a task. Also make sure that you are clear on any deadlines that need to be met and that you understand what is required from you and in what format.

Share your experience and be proactive

There will be much to get up to speed on in your first few weeks in a new role and whilst it is important to take time to learn about the business, don’t be afraid to demonstrate your worth and share your knowledge and experience. By making useful contributions to meetings, offering suggestions on alternative approaches to tasks and sharing your opinion on the best course of action you will show that you are someone who is keen to be involved and can be a team player.

Avoid office politics

It can be very tempting to join in and have a gossip in the office, but make sure you keep relationships professional especially in the early days when you are trying to establish who everybody is. Saying too much about a mutual acquaintance, sharing negative opinions about your former colleagues or company or making jokes at other people’s expense won’t do you any favours in the long run. Being polite and friendly and showing your worth through your efforts and expertise will pay dividends long-term.

Take time to get to know everyone

It is vital that you make time to speak to your line manager and establish lines of communication and reporting during your early weeks but it is also equally important that you get to know people right throughout the business – not just the senior managers. Your line manager will more than likely seek the thoughts of your peers as to how they see you settling into the team so ensure that their feedback presents you as positive, proactive and someone they think they can work with

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 US today to speak to a member of our team about your next career move.