Why Meeting with Recruiters Can Significantly

5 Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Finance Professionals

Here at Sharp Consultancy, we know just how important it is to hire the right person-not just in terms of experience, but also personality and overall fit within your business.Getting this wrong can be costly, not only financially, but in terms of time and effort spent on onboarding and training someone who ultimately might not work out.To help avoid this, Soraya Downing has put together 5 key red flags to watch out for when reviewing CVs or interviewing finance candidates: 1. Vague or General Responses A genuinely interested candidate will come to job interviews prepared with detailed answers that clearly link their experience and skills to the role they’re applying for. If their responses are vague or lacking depth, it can be a sign that they haven’t taken the time to prepare—or worse, they’re not truly engaged with the opportunity.Ideally, you want to hear specific examples backed up with figures or results. It’s worth noting that bad answer doesn’t always mean the candidate isn’t prepared or doesn’t have the required experience, it could be that your question is confusing and needs rephrasing.For example, asking “Can you walk me through your main responsibilities in your most recent role, particularly those related to [payroll/management reporting/credit control/etc.]?” is likely to generate more specific and useful answers than a vague question like “Tell me about your most recent role.”Try practising your question on a colleague or someone you manage and see if they struggle to answer. They will be able to help you scrutinise the question and suggest better wording or elaboration to avoid any confusion.If you require support with conducting job interviews or creating targeted interview questions, we’re always happy to help. With a team of over 25 consultants who each specialise within different areas of finance and accountancy recruitment, we’ve interviewed thousands of candidates — and we know what works. 2. Inconsistent Career HistoryWe fully support career moves—most of the time, they signal progression and ambition, which is great to see. However, when a CV shows a pattern of short-term employments with no solid explanation, or recurring reasons for leaving, this can indicate potential issues with commitment, adaptability, or performance.There can be many reasons why a candidate has several short-term roles on their CV. For example, they could have completed several temporary or short-term interim contracts without making this clear on their CV or they may have experienced a series of redundancies beyond their control. Always dig a little deeper in these cases, they may be acceptably explained but there could also be something bigger at play.When you engage with us as your recruitment partner, we will never put forward a candidate that hasn’t been fully vetted and their career history and suitability examined. We will have all already done the ‘deep digging’, so all short-term roles and employment gaps are explained to you from the get-go. It takes the guesswork out of the process and saves you valuable time. 3. Poor Communication SkillsIt’s natural for candidates to be a little nervous in interviews, but for senior finance roles in particular, strong communication is non-negotiable. If someone consistently gives vague answers, struggles to explain their experience, or avoids eye contact, it could raise concerns about how they’ll present to stakeholders or collaborate across teams. At this level, you’re looking for clear, confident communication—even under pressure.If you’re unsure about a candidate’s communication skills, especially in a senior finance role, consider including a short task or second-stage interview focused on presenting or explaining a topic. For example, ask them to walk you through a recent financial project or prepare a brief summary of how they’d present key financials to non-finance stakeholders. This gives you a clearer sense of how they structure information, handle questions, and communicate under mild pressure. When you engage with us we’ll work with you to understand whether a candidate’s communication style will align with your specific team dynamics and stakeholder environment—something that is key to a successful long-term hire but often overlooked.4. Lack of Curiosity or InitiativeTop finance professionals are naturally curious and proactive. They’re the ones who suggest improvements to systems or processes without being asked. If a candidate shows no interest in how they can add value to your business and the role, or doesn’t ask questions during the interview, that could be a red flag that they’re more reactive than proactive.Sometimes that might be exactly what you are looking for, but other times, recognising this about a candidate early on could be your saving grace in hiring someone unfit for the role in question. 5. No Signs of a Growth MindsetIf you’re hiring with the goal of developing someone long-term, look for signs they’re committed to personal and professional growth. This could be studying towards a qualification like ACCA, CIMA, or ACA or asking thoughtful questions about the business’s future.A lack of interest in development can often translate into a lack of long-term engagement to the role and your company. Even when not looking for a long-term hire, a candidate who exhibits no desire for their long-term career and growth can be a sign that they might not even stick it out for a shorter period of time.As your recruitment partner, it really helps to understand what you want out of a hire. Don’t be shy in telling us what skills and qualities you want and don’t want a new employee to have for the role you are hiring for. If you give us as much information about the role and the company as possible, we can then use this knowledge in our candidate selection process to only suggest candidates which have the necessary qualities you are looking for. Final Thoughts Sharp Consultancy has been recruiting finance professionals across Yorkshire for over 30 years. Our proven process allows us to spot these red flags early, helping our clients avoid costly hiring mistakes. By keeping the above points in mind, you’ll be in a much stronger position to hire the right finance talent for your team.If you're currently hiring, or planning to, and want to avoid the common pitfalls, we’d love to support you. From advising on interview strategy to identifying candidates with the right mix of skills and mindset, we’re here to make the process easier—and more successful.Soraya specialises in recruiting for permanent Part Qualified, Qualified by Experience and Qualified finance roles with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £50,000 across Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Worksop, Hull and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with Soraya today – sorayadowning@sharpconsultancy.com – 0114 261 1700 or SUBMIT A VACANCY.

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Why Meeting with Recruiters Can Significantly Boost Your Chances of Landing the Right Role.

In the competitive world of recruitment, it's easy to think that submitting your CV online is all it takes to land your next role. However, there's one key step that many job hunters overlook — meeting with a recruiter. Whether it’s in person or virtual, meeting with a recruiter can considerably improve your chances of being shortlisted for the right role. Here’s why:

1. Personal Connection and Relationship Building

One of the biggest advantages of meeting a recruiter, preferably face-to-face, is the personal connection you create. While a CV provides an overview of your qualifications, a meeting gives you the chance to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and communication skills directly to us.

Recruiters are people too, and we make decisions based on more than just qualifications. We want to ensure that the companies we recommend you to are the right cultural and value fit. A direct conversation lets you express your motivations, career goals, and values, allowing the recruiter to match you with employers who align with your aspirations. Thus, less time wasted meeting employers who are not suited to your long-term career.

Additionally, meeting with one of our recruitment consultants before starting your job search provides an opportunity to experience an interview-like situation. This helps you address any nerves or confidence issues, ensuring you are well-equipped and prepared to deliver your best interview and secure your ideal role.

2. Better Understanding of Your Skills and Experience

Our recruiters are meticulously trained to examine your career history by asking you targeted questions that go beyond what’s written on your CV. They can explore your achievements in greater depth, uncovering experiences and skill that might not be immediately obvious in your application. This in-depth discussion helps us to understand the full picture of your abilities, ensuring confidence in presenting you to potential employers.

Often, candidates miss out on opportunities because their CV doesn’t reflect their full potential. A meeting ensures all your strengths, skills and relevant experience are communicated to potential employers in the most effective way to land the right role for you. Failing to do so may leave you at a disadvantage compared to other candidates who have already met with us.

3. Tailored Career Advice and Feedback

As recruitment consultants, we don’t just act as intermediaries between job seekers and employers; we are also valuable career advisors. By discussing your career ambitions in person, we can give you bespoke advice on how to improve your CV, enhance your interview performance, or even position yourself more effectively in the job market.

Furthermore, we can provide real-time feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring you're always ready for the next opportunity. A recruiter’s insight is a resource that could be the difference between a successful job application and a missed opportunity.

4. Greater Opportunity for Matchmaking

When we meet with you, we are armed with the knowledge we have gained over our many successful years to find roles that align with your skills, personality and values. For over 30 years, we have been working closely with businesses in Yorkshire and beyond to understand their specific requirements and the unique traits they seek in candidates.

Our deep understanding of these businesses extends beyond their immediate needs; we also learn about their culture, work environment, and what they are like as employers. This comprehensive approach allows us to match candidates with roles where they can truly thrive, ensuring a harmonious fit that benefits both the candidate and the employer. By prioritising this matchmaking process, we help build lasting professional relationships and contribute to the long-term success of both parties.

5. Increased Trust and Confidence

It is our professional responsibility to represent you and advocate for your candidacy. If we haven’t met you personally, it can be hard for us to build the confidence to represent you effectively. Meeting you in person gives us a much clearer sense of your professionalism, attitude, and future career potential.

If you are meeting with us after already being informed about a role, we are here to answer any questions you may have about the position or the company with complete honesty, ensuring transparency about the opportunity. This approach not only helps you feel more confident in your application but also reassures the us about your understanding and enthusiasm for the role. By fostering clear communication, we aim to make the application process smooth and successful for both parties.

Two people shake hands over a desk with a laptop, documents, and coffee cups. The setting suggests a professional agreement.

6. Increased Visibility and Priority

The job market is often crowded, and candidates can easily get lost in the shuffle. When you meet with us, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to stand out. We are far more likely to prioritise candidates we have met and connected in person with over those we’ve only spoke to over the phone.

In addition, the candidates who we haven’t met are put to the back of the queue when it comes to being put forward for jobs. The sooner we meet you and evaluate your abilities, the sooner we can advocate for you when speaking to clients.

Meeting with us provides an opportunity to make a lasting impression, distinguish you from other candidates and showcase your unique qualities and potential contributions you can provide for any future employers.

7. Access to Exclusive Opportunities

Many of our clients have relied on our services for years, building strong, trusting relationships with us. Because of this, they often provide us with exclusive access to new job opportunities before they have been advertised elsewhere. Having that initial meeting with us at the earliest opportunity allows us to recommend you to roles before they have even been made available to the rest of the general public.

On top of that, clients often give us full exclusivity on their current vacancies. So, if you’ve already been met and screened by us, you’ll get immediate access to these opportunities, meaning less competition and less time job hunting.

8. A Partnership in Your Job Search

Ultimately, when you meet with us, you’re not just handing over your CV and hoping for the best. You’re building a partnership with the North’s leading independent finance and accountancy recruitment consultancy which will last you your whole career.

At Sharp Consultancy, all of our recruitment consultants are experts in their own specialist sector of finance and accountancy recruitment. We become your ally in your job search, working with you to identify the right roles, preparing you for interviews, and supporting you throughout the entire hiring process.

This partnership can be incredibly valuable, especially in a job market where competition is fierce. With our consultant’s specialist knowledge and valuable connections, you have a better chance of landing a role that truly aligns with your career aspirations.

On a final note

While applying for jobs online can certainly yield results, meeting with one of our recruitment consultants is a game-changer. Not only does it increase your chances of being put forward for the right opportunities, but it also helps you stand out, receive tailored advice, and form a relationship with someone who’s invested in your success.

If you’re serious about your job search and want to maximise your chances of landing your next role, take the time to meet with a recruiter. It could be the key that unlocks the door to your ideal job.

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.