How to Tailor Your CV to Suit the Job You Are

So, You Want to Be a Credit Manager? Here's What You Need to Know

So, You Want to Be a Credit Manager? Here's What You Need to KnowCredit Management isn’t just about chasing payments — it’s about protecting the lifeblood of a business: cashflow. To help future finance leaders get a real feel for what it’s like to step into a Credit Manager role (and thrive!), we asked current Credit Manager, Philip Holborough to share their honest thoughts in our Voices of Transactional Finance Leaders Series. In this article, Philip talks about everything from the challenges he’s faced along the way, to the skills and attitudes that really make a difference. He also gives a glimpse into how the role is changing, what impact technology like AI might have, and why having a "bulldog attitude" could actually be one of your biggest assets. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for the next step in your career, their advice is packed with real-world lessons you won’t want to miss.What do you think future leaders should prioritise or focus on most in order to successfully make themselves appointable as a Credit Manager?Debtor payment trends. Regardless of industry the key to successful Credit Managers is analysis of payment performance – this is often the biggest tell-tale sign of potential payment issues in the future.What are both the best and the most challenging aspects of being the Credit Manager of a fast-paced business? Blending Credit with Sales. Often the two don’t mix well – but open, frank and honest conversations where clarity of objectives is understood on both sides will help in a very challenging environment.What are your opinions about the relationship between a Credit Manager and the FC/CFO and CEO? What is critically important in building a successful partnership and providing the right support to the FC/CEO/CFO? A good CFO will recognise the importance of a Credit Manager – not always the case with CEO as they are often more strategic and commercial in their approach and less likely to be open to credit conversations over sales performance.What new key skills or attributes do you think the next generation of Credit Managers are going to need to develop? Tenacity. Both internally and externally. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil!” Don’t be afraid to offer opinions based on gut instinct and past experience. You will earn the respect of the business very quickly if you are able to nail your colours to the mast! Are new technologies like Artificial Intelligence having much of an impact on your role as Credit Manager yet? What impact do you think they will have over the next few years? AI frightens me – but I recognise the importance of some labour-saving aspects. A computer will never get someone to pay a bill – only a human voice can do that.Is it possible to maintain a reasonable work life balance at Credit Manager Level or do you have to accept that there will be personal sacrifices in order to progress to that level?Clear boundaries are very important. CM can be a stressful occupation – you must be able to separate these to ensure no burn out!Away from core credit knowledge, what personality traits have been critical to your success as a Credit Manager? Are these natural or have you worked on developing them?The willingness to not let go! Bull dog attitude – obviously with respect to the customer and the wider business. Don’t give up.What is the one single best piece of advice you were given early in your career that still holds true today? “Show me the money!” Cashflow is critical to any business large or small – the Credit manager is the custodian of this process.If there’s one thing Philip’s advice makes clear, it’s that being a great Credit Manager is about a lot more than just ticking boxes. It’s about sharp instincts, real tenacity, clear communication, and a relentless focus on cashflow — all while building strong relationships across the business. The role might change over time, especially as new technologies come into play, but the core principles stay the same: know your numbers, trust your gut, speak up when it matters, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. For anyone thinking about a career in Credit Management (or already on the way), these lessons are pure gold. Take them on board, keep learning, and remember — the best Credit Managers aren’t just protecting the cash, they’re helping to drive the whole business forward. Looking 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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Tailoring your CV to be relevant to each application is one of the most crucial steps to take when looking for a new role. Making sure that your CV address each of the key criteria outlined in the job description is essential and will have a significant impact on whether you land that all important interview.

Whilst many candidates will (or should!) always have an up-to-date CV to hand, it is unlikely that simply submitting this each time you apply for a job will be enough to make you stand out from the crowd with a potential employer when they have dozens, if not hundreds, of applications being received for the most sought-after roles.

With so many applications to sift through, it is important that a prospective employer can see at a glance that your application ticks as many boxes as possible from the list of essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. And having lots of great information buried amongst paragraph after paragraph of text will do you no favours – your CV must be direct, punchy and straight-to-the-point so the hiring manager can clearly see that you have the skills and experience that they are looking for.

So, how can you tailor your CV for interview success?

Carefully read the job description and make sure that the language you use reflects that which has been outlined by the employer.
Consider how you can align your knowledge and experience with the specific requirements of the role; where possible give clear examples that back up your suitability.
Demonstrate how your achievements to date match the goals and objectives of role you are applying for. Highlight any successes, and evidence these with results that reflect the outcomes the business is aiming for itself.
Think about the industry sector and the skills which are going to be more appealing to a would-be employer; even in roles where the job title is the same there will be differences in what is required so it is important that you demonstrate that you understand that certain knowledge and experience may be more relevant to one sector than another.
Consider the level of responsibility you will be required to have in the role and ensure that, if applicable, you focus attention on areas such as line management experience, leadership style and staff development as well as your own personal attributes.
Use your personal statement to outline your experience, approach and ambitions and tailor these to be line with the company’s expectations of the role.
Do not be afraid to leave things out of your CV. As you progress in your career, it is not always suitable to include every aspect of every role that you have previously held. Make sure you understand what a prospective employer is looking for, so they don’t have to search through long-winded descriptions to find the nuggets that are of interest.

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 US today to find out more.

TAILOR YOUR CV TO SUIT EACH ROLE YOU APPLY FOR

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