WORKING AS AN INTERIM – WHAT TO EXPECT

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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With the COVID-19 pandemic creating a degree of uncertainty for many industry sectors, an increasing number of companies are looking to engage the services of accountancy and finance professionals on an interim basis in order to benefit from the skills and expertise that their businesses needs with the flexibility the current climate demands.

And it’s not just employers that reap the benefits from such a relationship with those that opt for life as an interim rewarded with a flexible, varied career that can offer a more manageable work-life balance.

For those who may be considering applying for an interim position for the first time; here’s our guide to the key factors to be aware of before making the move.:

There are interim opportunities at all levels; it’s not just a role that is exclusive to managers or senior level finance professionals. Essentially, a company will look to recruit an interim to address a specific need such as covering a long period of absence, to handle a particular project or to acquire specific skills.
Interims will usually be employed on either a rolling contract with an agreed day rate or a fixed term/short term contract with an associated salary. These are not always necessarily full-time positions so it is possible to be employed by more than one company on an interim basis at the same time (although you will need to check your terms and conditions and ensure you are clear with each employer as to your availability).
Interims are highly skilled individuals or specialise in a particular area; they will often be called upon at short notice and, due to the nature of the requirement, will be expected to hit the ground running.
Flexibility is an essential quality when it comes to being successful as an interim. You will be expected to quickly get to grips with an organisation’s working practices and be able to build effective relationships with your new colleagues from the outset.
Interims can often be brought into situations that are highly pressured so you will need to demonstrate that you are confident and have the ability to thrive and deliver results in potentially stressful circumstances.
Interim employment offers an excellent opportunity to expand your experience and knowledge through working for a number of different organisations in varying sectors.
Strong communication skills are an essential attribute for an interim; you will be expected to quickly and effectively digest a vast amount of new information and share your vision and expectations of what needs to be delivered to your new colleagues. Depending on the requirement of the role, you may find that there is the potential to ruffle a few feathers along the way – this won’t necessarily be a negative – so you need to be confident addressing and handling challenging situations.
Working as an interim can offer flexibility in terms of the number of days worked per week or by enabling you to work for only a portion of the year. Many also find that interim contracts offer a higher rate of pay. The flip side to this is the uncertainty of needing to secure a new opportunity when each contract comes to an end which can be difficult for those that prefer the perceived job security that regular employment offers.

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 our latest interim opportunities.