SECOND INTERVIEW SUCCESS – HOW TO CLINCH THE JOB

Celebrating International Women's Day with Louise Shute

In celebration of International Women's Day, we continue our series by highlighting the inspiring journey of female leaders in finance who are making a significant impact throughout their career.In this installation we are thrilled to feature an interview with Louise Shute, the Chief Financial Officer of Hollybank Trust, a not-for-profit care provider dedicated to supporting individuals with complex needs. Since joining Hollybank Trust in 2019, Louise has been instrumental in driving financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and strategic growth. Her leadership goes beyond numbers, focusing on ensuring that every financial decision aligns with the organisation's mission to provide outstanding care. Join us as we dive into her career-defining moments, the traits that have contributed to her success, and her invaluable advice for the next generation of female finance leaders. 1.Please can you provide a summary of who you work for and your current role?I am the Chief Financial Officer of Hollybank Trust, a large not-for-profit care provider that delivers specialist care and education to individuals with complex needs. Since joining in 2019, I have been responsible for overseeing finance, IT, estates, and HR, ensuring financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and a strong, well-supported workforce. My role is not just about numbers—it’s about making sure every financial decision supports the organisation’s mission. I work closely with the executive team and trustees to strategically plan for the future, secure funding, and drive initiatives that enhance the care we provide. This includes leading acquisitions, driving digital transformation, and optimising resources to ensure we remain sustainable and continue to deliver outstanding care in an increasingly challenging financial landscape.2.What have been the one or two most defining moments in your career to date?A few pivotal moments have shaped my career and leadership style: Building a finance function from the ground up – One of my most challenging and rewarding experiences was setting up an entire finance team from scratch for a large care group. Bringing the finance function in-house, creating new systems, and ensuring financial stability in a complex organisation gave me invaluable leadership experience. Leading an acquisition – More recently, I successfully led the acquisition of a care business, ensuring financial due diligence, securing funding, and integrating the new business into our operations. This was a defining moment in navigating the complexities of growth while maintaining financial security. Driving digital transformation – Overseeing our transition to a nearly paperless organisation has been a major milestone. Introducing new financial, HR, and operational systems has made us more efficient and forward-thinking, ensuring we are well-equipped for the future. Beyond these, every year brings new challenges in the not-for-profit and care sector, where funding is tight, costs are rising, and financial sustainability is an ongoing battle. Navigating these challenges while keeping the organisation strong and adaptable is something I take pride in.3.What are the most important personal traits, values or characteristics that, being a female finance leader, has really helped to contribute to your success?Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about bringing people with you. The qualities that have shaped my success as a finance leader include: Compassion and genuine interest in people – I care about my colleagues and take the time to listen, understand their perspectives, and create a supportive environment. Decisiveness and resilience – In finance, tough decisions need to be made. I can balance strategy with reality, ensuring we remain financially stable while protecting the organisation’s core values. Strong communication – Finance can sometimes feel like a separate world, but I ensure complex financial insights are communicated clearly to teams, trustees, and stakeholders so they can make informed decisions. Positivity, even in difficult times – The financial landscape for care providers is constantly evolving, and it’s easy to focus on the challenges. I believe in staying solution-focused and adaptable, ensuring we embrace change rather than fear it. A positive outlook helps to motivate teams, find creative solutions, and maintain momentum even during difficult periods. I wouldn’t say I’ve faced direct challenges as a woman in finance, but finance leadership remains a male-dominated space, especially at board level. Many women struggle with imposter syndrome, and I think it’s crucial to own your expertise, trust your ability, and bring your unique strengths to the table.4.What is the one piece of advice that you would share with the next generation of female finance leaders as they look to build their careers?My biggest piece of advice is: do what makes you happy. You spend so much of your life at work—it’s essential to enjoy it. If you don’t, don’t be afraid to seek out something that challenges, excites, and fulfils you. Beyond that, a few key lessons I’ve learned: Be true to yourself. Work for organisations that align with your beliefs, morals, and values. Build a strong team. Surround yourself with capable, driven people—it will make all the difference. Keep learning. I haven’t had an official mentor, but I invest in seminars, courses, and networking to continuously grow. Finding a mentor or widening your professional network can be invaluable. Stay adaptable. Finance, technology, and the business landscape are evolving rapidly. Staying open to change and embracing new ways of working will set you apart. Above all, believe in yourself. Women often doubt their abilities more than men, but confidence comes from experience. Keep learning, keep leading, and don’t be afraid to step up and take your seat at the table.Louise’s journey is a testament to her power of resilience, compassion, and strategic vision in leadership. Her dedication to Hollybank Trust's mission and her ability to navigate the complexities of the not-for-profit sector have set a remarkable example for aspiring female finance leaders. Her advice to stay true to oneself, build strong teams, and continuously learn resonates deeply, reminding us all of the importance of passion and adaptability in our careers. We hope her story inspires and empowers the next generation of women to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination. While women are making strides in leadership roles, a significant gender gap still exists. In 2024, 36% of new CFO hires in FTSE 100 companies were female, a notable increase from 2023 when only 14% of new hires were female [1]. Despite this progress, women hold only 25% of CFO positions in the FTSE 100 [2]. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for greater gender diversity and support for women in finance. 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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Inviting would-be employees to attend a second interview is a popular option for many companies. It’s a good way for them to determine between a few closely matched candidates after the initial round of meetings, an opportunity for another member of the team to take a look at their favoured choices or simply a way for them to confirm their first impression that you are the ideal person to join the team.

If you are invited to attend a second interview it is important to remember that it is unlikely to be a repeat of your first meeting. It is worth trying to establish just how many people have been invited back for a second interview as this may help you prepare accordingly. Never assume a second interview is a formality and the job is in the bag – even if you are the only person who has been asked back, make a poor impression and all your hard work could be undone as your dream role slips through your fingers.

Do your research

There’s no harm in being pleased with yourself having secured a second interview – you have obviously done well if the company wants to see you again – but don’t spend too long patting yourself on the back and instead try and dig for some more information that will be useful for your upcoming meeting.

Ask your recruitment consultant for feedback from the interviewer – were there any areas of concern, could you have elaborated on any of your answers – and use this information to prepare your ground for the next stage. Recall any useful points that you gathered during the interview – aspects of the role where you feel you can add value, making your experience relevant to the key areas of the job description that were discussed.

You will need to show more to those interviewing you second time around so do more research into the company and its sector so you can demonstrate that you are serious about the opportunity and have enthusiasm for the challenge on offer.

Be positive

As with any interview, it is OK to be nervous but you need to approach the meeting with a positive attitude. You have been invited back for a reason so they clearly think that you could be a suitable
fit – the interview is your opportunity to put that beyond any doubt.

Make the right connection

Often would-be employers can be faced with more than one candidate that they perceive would be capable of undertaking the role which is available and so will use a second interview as an opportunity to determine which of those people will slot into the team the best. Your personality, how you interact with others, the way you would deal with a particular situation will all contribute towards how your interviewer will see you being able to gel with your potential work colleagues.

Address any concerns

Use the feedback from your recruitment consultant and think back over your previous performance to try and anticipate areas which may need to be addressed during the meeting. If there was a question that you don’t feel you fully answered first time around expect to be asked it again – and if the opportunity doesn’t arise, there’s no harm in steering the conversation around to that topic where appropriate to show your interviewer that you have given the matter further consideration.

Demonstrate your worth

Every business will be facing, or is anticipating facing, certain challenges. Show that you will be a great person to have on their team by offering your insight where you think that you can bring valuable experience and provide possible solutions. Look to identify areas where you can add more to what has been asked for in the job description to really set you apart from any other candidate.

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 UStoday to discuss your recruitment needs with a member of our team.