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Sharp Consultancy Supports Yorkshire Children’s Charity’s annual schools day out at Cannon Hall Farm.

On Wednesday, September 11th, half of our staff from both the Sheffield and Leeds offices volunteered to support Yorkshire Children’s Charity. Each year, this charity provides hundreds of children from schools across Yorkshire with the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic day out at Cannon Hall Farm, and they rely on many volunteers to make this happen.This year, over 600 children who might otherwise not be able to enjoy a day trip like this, partook in what turned out to be a brilliant day. Yorkshire Children’s Charity is very close to our hearts here at Sharp Consultancy as not only is it focused on the county we call home, the charity helps children who for a variety of reasons, are in a position of disadvantage. For many of these children, this was their first visit to a farm and possibly their first experience outside their local area. Apart from a brief deluge for 10 minutes at the start of the day and a light shower at the end the day, the rain mostly stayed away. The team from Sharp Consultancy, along with many other volunteers helped get the packed lunches delivered, drinks poured, biscuits distributed and joined the teachers showing the children around the farm – from reptile houses to the pig pens (much holding of noses and retching noises!), tractor rides to see Llama’s and reindeer, sheep racing, ferret racing, meerkats and mongoose. It was a day like no other.No matter how old you are, if you think back really hard, you can probably just about remember the first time you saw a snake or huge monitor lizard in a zoo; or goggled at the size of a shire horse and the amazement you felt – multiply this by 608 children and you might just have some idea how special the day was. And don’t children ask the best questions. I have never been asked so many questions I didn’t know the answer to – ‘Why do snakes put their heads in that position?’ Why are some leaf cutter ants carrying leaves to their nest and some carrying them away from their nest?’ Why is that cow laying down and that one stood up?’ my answer – ‘it must be tired’ – there response ‘what’s it been doing to get tired?’ Or my favourite ‘What can run faster, a meerkat or a ferret?’. The team here at Sharp Consultancy had an amazing day (I think if enjoyment could be measured, we’d have given the children a run for their money!) It was a humbling and enlightening experience and on occasions, very emotional (my word, you really appreciate just exactly how lucky you are and have been). Most of all though it was a delight to meet 608 amazing young people, dozens of teachers and assistants (you really are heroes, and nothing will make me change my mind on that) and all our fellow volunteers and charity employees Annabel and Abbie – join the teachers in our collective hero worship. A day to remember…forever.

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I have been invited to an interview and been advised that it will be a competency-based interview. What should I expect and how can I best prepare?

An increasing number of employers are opting for competency-based interviews instead of or in addition to a more traditional approach to hiring new members of staff.

Competency based interviews are a way for interviewers to decide between candidates and select the best person for the job. They go beyond assessing tasks and technical attributes and look at your personal characteristics to determine whether you can perform at the highest level.

By understanding what a potential employer is looking for, you will be able to answer these questions and demonstrate that you are the right person to make a difference to their business.

When interviewing for competencies, your potential employer will begin by asking you for an overview of a situation in which you have clearly exhibited a particular competency. For example “I would like you to give me an overview of a recent situation in which you had to take a particularly disciplined approach to your work.” They will then ask a series of behavioural questions to fully investigate how you handled the situation:

“Tell me about the situation”

“What was your role?”

“Who else was involved?”

“How did you feel when that happened?”

“What exactly were you thinking then?”

“What exactly did you do next?”

“What exactly did you say then?”

“What was the outcome?”

Your responses will provide the interviewer with a huge amount of information so be prepared and think about what you want to say and how you are saying it. An interviewer will be looking for you to be clear and detailed in your responses; describe a situation with “I did” rather than “we did” and do not wait to be led by the interviewer - volunteer your thoughts on the matter.

Also, think about what your thoughts and feelings were at the time as opposed to how you feel now and do not be vague in your responses; be specific and avoid answers such as “I usually do...”

Competency interviews enable a future employer to understand which candidates will be able to perform at the highest level and have the potential to progress within the company, so it is vital that you give the best possible account of yourself.

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.