​RETAINING TALENT IN 2022

Why a Strong CV is Non-Negotiable for Finance Professionals in 2025

As a Senior Resourcer at Sharp Consultancy, I’ve reviewed thousands of CVs...From those just starting out to seasoned professionals with decades of experience. One thing remains consistent: in today’s competitive market, a strong CV isn’t optional—it’s essential. Today, South Yorkshire’s finance landscape is more dynamic than ever. With growing demand across sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and tech, accountancy and finance professionals are expected to bring more than just technical skills to the table. Your CV is your first opportunity to prove you’re up to the challenge. This blog marks the start of a three-part series focused on helping you craft a standout CV tailored to your career stage and goals. In this first post, we’ll cover general CV tips relevant to all finance professionals. In the next two instalments, we’ll dive deeper into: Transactional Finance CVs – how to highlight your experience in roles such as purchase ledger, sales ledger, and credit control. Part-Qualified Finance CVs – how to position yourself for progression while studying towards your qualifications. Stay tuned for practical advice and real-world insights to help your CV rise to the top of the pile. 🕒 First Impressions MatterRecruiters and hiring managers typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning a CV. That means your CV needs to immediately communicate relevance, professionalism, and potential. A clean layout, clear structure, and tailored content can make the difference between landing an interview or being passed over. 🔍 Specialist Skillsets Are in DemandFinance roles today go far beyond number-crunching. Employers want professionals who understand how finance supports wider business goals. Whether it’s streamlining reporting, implementing new systems, or driving cost efficiencies, your CV should highlight the tangible impact you’ve made. This is your chance to showcase your value-add—what makes you different from the next candidate. Use metrics where possible to quantify your achievements and make them memorable. 📍 Standing Out in YorkshireYorkshire is home to a diverse range of industries, from advanced manufacturing and engineering to professional services and digital tech. This diversity creates exciting opportunities—but also fierce competition. To stand out, your CV should reflect sector-specific experience and transferable skills. Whether you’ve worked in a fast-paced SME or a large corporate environment, highlight how your background aligns with the needs of the region’s employers. 📊 Business Acumen is a MustFinance professionals are increasingly expected to contribute to strategic decision-making. Roles in FP&A, commercial finance, and business partnering are on the rise, and employers want candidates who can offer insight—not just information. Your CV should reflect your ability to influence outcomes. Have you helped drive revenue growth? Supported investment decisions? Improved forecasting accuracy? These are the stories that resonate with hiring managers. 📈 Show a Clear Story of ProgressionRecruiters look for signs of growth and development. A strong CV doesn’t just list job titles—it explains the “why” behind each move. Did you step into a leadership role? Take on a new challenge? Gain exposure to a different sector? Even lateral moves can be powerful if they show a deliberate effort to build your skillset. Make sure your CV tells a cohesive story of your career journey. 🔑 Final ThoughtsIn Yorkshire’s fast-moving industries, a sharp, well-crafted CV is your key to unlocking new opportunities. It’s not just about listing experience—it’s about showing impact, adaptability, and commercial value from the very first glance. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just exploring your options, now is the time to invest in your CV. Visit Our Candidate Advice Pages HereLooking 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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Retaining your most talented individuals is a challenge for any business; with fierce competition to secure the best candidates, savvy hiring managers are pulling out all the stops to attract new employees. We take a look at the top reasons that people will look to leave an organisation and what employers can do to make them stay.

Make training a priority as one of the top reasons for people to seek out a new opportunity is a lack of professional development in their current role.
Ensure you have the right leadership skills in place to engage and motivate the workforce. Have clear goals in place for the organisation and know what skills you will need to achieve your ambitions. Communicate your vision to your team so they can buy into what you hope to achieve and see where they can make a contribution.
Understand what each member of your workforce wants to achieve in their career and how the business can meet these ambitions. Good employees are motivated by the opportunity to gain promotions and take on additional opportunities. Be creative and potentially consider options for departmental restructures or establishing new teams to open up career progression opportunities for key members of staff.
Make sure you have your onboarding process right. Having enthused your new recruit during the interview process, ensure you have a robust induction programme in place that allows for regular updates and feedback to address any immediate concerns.
Recognise the contribution that people make to the business – positive feedback and acknowledging hard work go a long way to ensuring a feel-good factor amongst your staff.
Whilst there may be times when longer hours are necessary, ensure that employees are not being expected to regularly manage an unreasonable workload. Understanding what resources are needed and have clear and open lines of communication; talking to your team on an on-going basis is essential and allows you to address potential issues before they escalate into a bigger problem.
Understand what value employees place on benefits and rewards. Salary is only one part of the package - would people welcome flexible working hours, increased holiday allowance or a contribution towards childcare costs? Is there scope to enable individuals to create a benefits package that can be tailored to their particular needs?
Recognise that some staff turnover is necessary for any company to stay fresh and move forward; conduct exit interviews to understand people’s reasons for moving on and put in place measures to address any lessons learnt.

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.