How Do I Explain Why I Want to Leave my Current

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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I find it hard to explain why I want to leave my current role and worry about what the interviewer will think about my reasons – are there ‘good’ reasons for looking for a new job?

This is a very common worry for candidates. Sometimes the reason is nice and straight-forward – such as relocation to a new area – and requires little further explanation. However, in most cases, it is more likely that you have simply reached the end of the road with your current employer – and this can be for any number of reasons – and finding the right way to articulate that to someone you are trying to impress as a potential new boss can be tricky.

First of all, remember that the interviewer is not asking this to try and catch you out. It is more about trying to get an understanding of your motivations for moving, career ambitions and to assess if there is synergy between what you are looking to achieve and the direction in which the company is heading

As part of your interview preparation, you should give real consideration as to why you want to move and think about how you can communicate these reasons in a positive manner that demonstrates to the interviewer that you have thought carefully about the next step in your career.

There are many valid reasons why somebody will be looking to secure a new role; gaining new responsibilities, desire for a new challenge and the opportunity to develop and learn new skills are all acceptable reasons for making a move and will show your potential new employer that you have the drive to further your career.You can deliver a compelling answer by including further information about your understanding of how the new skills, responsibilities and opportunities will enable you to help the company meet its own objectives.

There are of course, some definite no-no’s which will raise red flags with an interviewer. You should avoid complaining about your current organisation or your manager and colleagues. Yes, you may have been overlooked for promotion, you might find the management or leadership too overbearing, you could be picking up the slack for weaker team members, the working hours are too long or the salary and rewards too little – however this is not the time to be painting your employer in a bad light. If anything, it shows the interviewer that you may not be particularly tactful, or you could be someone that finds reasons for complaints and could be difficult to manage.

If there are problems that you cannot avoid mentioning, outline how you have tried to address the matter and what steps you have taken which will show a potential new boss that you are solutions-focused and not simply sitting back and waiting for somebody else to solve the problem.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT UStoday to find out more.