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Behind the Desk: Getting to Know Daniel Williams

Behind the Desk: Getting to Know DanWelcome to the first instalment of Behind the Desk—a new series designed to help you get to know the consultants behind our business. First up is our Business Manager, Dan Williams. From his journey into the world of finance and accountancy recruitment to his thoughts on the future of the industry in Yorkshire, Dan shares personal insights, professional lessons, and even a few light-hearted confessions (including his go-to karaoke song!). Whether you’re a client, candidate, or colleague, this Q&A offers a great chance to get to know Dan a little better—both in and out of the office.​Understanding the Journey: Personal Insights and InspirationsCan you tell us a bit about your career journey so far? How did you end up in finance and accountancy recruitment?I’ve always had a keen interest in people-focused roles, which naturally led me to a career in recruitment. I started my journey in Sales where I developed strong relationship-building and analytical skills. Over time, I realised that finance and accountancy recruitment was the perfect fit—it allows me to connect talented professionals with the right opportunities while staying engaged with the ever-evolving financial landscape. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I enjoy making a real impact on businesses and candidates alike.When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Any hobbies or interests?Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my wife and two young daughters who keep me on my toes! I also enjoy watching football and supporting the Might Reds! (Liverpool). I also try to hit the gym and stay fit and healthy, which helps me unwind and stay balanced. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is "Listen more than you speak—which is key to understanding people is key in any industry". This has stuck with me throughout my career, especially in recruitment, where building relationships and maintaining trust is crucial. It’s a reminder that persistence, adaptability, and a genuine approach always pay off in the long run.​Industry Perspective: Lessons and Approaches in RecruitmentWhat do you enjoy most about working in recruitment, especially in the finance and accountancy sector?The most rewarding part of recruitment, especially in finance and accountancy, is being able to connect talented professionals with opportunities that genuinely align with their skills and career goals. The finance sector is always evolving, and I enjoy staying up to date with industry trends while building long-term relationships with both candidates and clients. Seeing the positive impact a great hire can have on a business—and knowing I played a part in that—is incredibly fulfilling.What’s one thing you wish more people knew about working in recruitment?I wish more people understood that recruitment is much more than just matching CVs to job descriptions. It’s about understanding people, businesses, and industries at a deep level. A good recruiter is a consultant, advisor, and problem-solver, working behind the scenes to create the right fit for both clients and candidates. There’s a lot of strategy, relationship-building, and market insight involved, making it a dynamic and rewarding career.What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting in this industry?One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience and adaptability. Recruitment is a fast-paced industry where things don’t always go as planned—candidates decline offers, roles get put on hold, and market conditions shift. Learning to navigate these challenges while staying focused on long-term success has been invaluable. It’s all about persistence, building trust, and staying proactive in an ever-changing environment.​Lunch Laughs and Career WisdomWhat’s your favorite lunch to have at the office?A Meatball sub from the deli!What’s your go-to karaoke song (or the one you secretly love to sing)?My singing voice is best appreciated by the hard of hearing! And for those brave enough to endure my rendition of Livin’ On A Prayer, you might want to reconsider your life choices!If you could turn back time and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?I’d tell myself to focus on building genuine relationships and not stress too much about immediate results. Recruitment—and career success in general—is a long game, and the connections you build today can open doors in ways you don’t always expect. Also, don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone—it’s where the best opportunities are!​The Future in Focus: Aspirations and Industry OutlookWhat excites you the most in your career right now?Right now, I’m excited by the fast-paced evolution of the finance and accountancy sector and how recruitment is adapting to it. There’s a real demand for top talent, and it’s rewarding to help businesses find the right professionals while supporting candidates in securing roles that align with their career goals. The industry is always changing, and staying ahead of trends—whether it’s new regulations, digital transformation, or shifting job market dynamics—keeps things fresh and challenging.What do you think the future holds for finance and accountancy recruitment in Yorkshire?Yorkshire’s finance and accountancy sector continues to grow, with more businesses investing in specialist roles and embracing hybrid working models. I see a strong demand for skilled professionals, particularly in areas like financial analysis, risk management, and digital finance. As companies focus more on automation and data-driven decision-making, the need for top-tier talent will only increase. Recruitment will need to stay agile, building deeper partnerships with businesses to help them attract and retain the best people in an increasingly competitive market.If you could change one thing about the industry to improve it for candidates or clients, what would it be?I’d love to see even greater transparency and communication throughout the recruitment process. Sometimes candidates feel left in the dark after an interview, or clients don’t always have clear insights into candidate expectations. Improving communication and setting better expectations on both sides would make the process smoother and more efficient. Recruitment works best when it’s a true partnership, and fostering trust and openness benefits everyone involved.​We hope you enjoyed getting to know Dan and gaining a glimpse into his journey, insights, and personality. Behind the Desk is all about celebrating the people who make our team special, and we’re excited to continue the series with more of our brilliant consultants. Keep an eye out for the next feature—you might just discover something new about the person on the other end of the phone (or email)!​Thinking About Joining the Team?If Dan’s story has inspired you and you’re interested in building a career in recruitment with a supportive, people-focused team—we’d love to hear from you. We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. Get in touch for a confidential chat about life at our company and the opportunities we have available.Check our our Careers Page​

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​WINNING ANSWERS TO COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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Interviews can feature a range of different questions all designed to give a potential employer as much information as possible about your skills, experience, background and you as a person.

Whilst it would be difficult to predict exactly which questions are going to come up during an interview, there are several commonly asked questions which, on the surface, may seem very simple but if answered correctly can help you secure that dream role.

Tell me about yourself

What the interviewer is looking for:

Your ability to tell them concisely why you are a good fit for the role on offer and how you might fit into the existing team.

Best answer:

Keep it relevant – they are looking for a potted history of your work history and achievements to date as well as why you are looking to make a move.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What the interviewer is looking for:

Nobody is perfect and it is important that candidates and employees can realistically appraise their own skills and abilities.

Best answer:

Evidence your strengths with genuine examples and select a weakness which demonstrates how you have made – or intend to make – improvements in this area.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

What the interviewer is looking for:

An idea of your goals and ambitions and how you can grow with the role available; they want you to demonstrate a commitment to the company and what you realistically hope to achieve with them.

Best answer:

Marry up your own personal career ambitions with the objectives of the company and indicate how you can see yourself progressing within the role and how your contribution will be of benefit to your employer.

Are you a team player?

What the interviewer is looking for:

That you can demonstrate that you know the importance of teamwork and can understand how your contribution benefits and impacts on your colleagues.

Best answer:

Describe a specific situation where you can illustrate the value of teamwork –for example, where people had to come together from different departments, had a particular problem to solve or implemented a solution to an ongoing challenge. Ensure you can talk about your role within the team and the benefits of working with others.

Why should we hire you?

What the interviewer is looking for:

Someone who understands the skills and attributes that they have and can relate these to the position available.

Best answer:

You need to stand out from the other candidates so focus on specific skills and experience which will demonstrate not only your ability to deliver in your role but give the interviewer an insight into your character, values and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Why do you want to leave your current employer?

What the interviewer is looking for:

A well-thought through, reasonable response as to why you have decided the time is right to make the move. This is not the time to bad-mouth your current employer – many industries can be quite close knit and it won’t do you any favours.

Best answer:

Focus upon your professional ambitions and desire for a new challenge – ensure that these are realistic and relevant to the stage that you are at in your career. Also bear in mind that how these fit with the length of time in your current job – have you changed roles frequently or have you been with one company for a considerable length of time?

Is there anything you would like to ask me?

What the interviewer is looking for:

Someone who has given consideration to the company that they are looking to join and the potential role available.

Best answer:

Focus upon the future of the business, how the role you would be doing could develop and what contribution you will be making. Try to avoid asking questions about salary and benefits – whilst relevant you don’t want to come across as someone who is more interested in the perks than the role itself.

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 and see how we can help.