INTERVIEW MISTAKES THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE

Attracting Top Finance Talent in South Yorkshire in 2026: Employer Strategies That Stand Out

Historically, the best finance professionals have not only been in high demand but have also had increasingly high expectations — and in today’s competitive South Yorkshire finance market, that reality is truer than ever. For over 33 years, Sharp Consultancy has been working closely with businesses across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Barnsley. In that time, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the landscape of finance recruitment has evolved. When it comes to attracting and securing top-tier finance talent, we know what works — and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. Local Reputation Matters More Than Ever In South Yorkshire especially, local reputation counts. Candidates talk, and businesses talk. The region’s finance community is tightly knit, and news travels fast — both good and bad. Employers who invest in building a strong, authentic brand that reflects real employee experiences tend to win out. That means it’s not enough to simply advertise a competitive salary or an attractive job title. Modern candidates want to understand what life inside your business looks like — the day-to-day culture, the leadership style, and the opportunities for growth. Visibility through employee stories, community engagement, and transparent communication all help to create a reputation that draws people in rather than pushes them away. What Candidates Want in Today’s Market In 2026, the expectations of finance professionals have broadened significantly, particularly at the qualified level. While salary remains important, it’s no longer the sole deciding factor. In fact, some of the best offers we see accepted each year aren’t the highest in monetary terms — they’re the most considered and holistic. Top candidates want to join businesses that offer purpose, balance, and progression. They look for roles that align with their values and allow them to contribute meaningfully, while still developing their technical and commercial skillsets. If you want to attract the best, you must clearly articulate what sets your company apart — your Employer Value Proposition (EVP). Ask yourself: What makes working with you different? Is it access to senior leadership, commercial exposure, or involvement in exciting transformation projects? What development or training support do you offer? Are there structured pathways, mentoring programmes, or professional study sponsorships? How flexible are you? Can employees work hybrid schedules, compressed hours, or part-time to suit their lifestyles? What additional perks or benefits do you provide — from wellness initiatives to social impact days or volunteering opportunities? The most successful employers communicate these points clearly, consistently, and confidently — both during recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle. The Need for Speed and Agility Another critical factor in attracting top talent is speed. In a fast-moving market, long or disjointed hiring processes can easily result in losing outstanding candidates. Strong finance professionals are rarely on the market for long, and delays at the offer or feedback stage can make the difference between securing or losing your preferred hire. Where possible, streamline your recruitment process. Ensure hiring managers are aligned on the role requirements, keep communication clear, and aim to deliver feedback promptly. Demonstrating decisiveness reflects positively on your business and reinforces the message that you value candidates’ time and enthusiasm. Transparency Builds Trust We’ve seen a notable shift in what candidates are asking during interviews. Increasingly, they want to know why a role is vacant. Is it due to growth, internal promotion, or turnover? A vague answer or a history of short-lived hires can quickly raise red flags. Conversely, when a company can confidently articulate its purpose, culture, and long-term vision, candidates engage more readily — and are more likely to accept offers. Our clients who have invested in defining and communicating these messages attract stronger pipelines of finance professionals, often before roles even go live. A clear, honest narrative about your organisation not only draws in talent but helps retain it too. Partner with a True Specialist If you’re looking to recruit the best talent in the market, the right partnership can make all the difference. Working with a true specialist who understands your business, your sector, and the nuances of the South Yorkshire market will save time and boost your hiring outcomes. At Sharp Consultancy, our clients benefit from: Pre-qualified shortlists of candidates who are thoroughly vetted for skills, culture fit, and long-term potential. Access to passive candidates, many of whom we’ve nurtured relationships with over years and who may not be actively searching. Honest feedback on your employer brand and market perception — so you can make informed improvements that strengthen future recruitment efforts. Because of our deep local networks, we often know when an outstanding finance professional is about to enter the market. That insight gives our clients a competitive edge in securing the very best talent before others are even aware they’re available. Going Beyond Recruitment Our role extends well beyond active recruitment. We pride ourselves on offering genuine consultative advice, including: Salary benchmarking and market insights Case studies from recent successful hires Ongoing check-ins and relationship management — not just when you have a live vacancy This proactive approach means that when you are ready to hire, we already understand your business, your values, and the type of people who will thrive in your environment. Contact Jack to Discuss Our Services-- Attracting the best finance talent in South Yorkshire takes more than a strong job spec and a competitive package. It’s about authenticity, agility, and alignment — knowing who you are as a business, what you stand for, and who you want to work alongside. After more than 30 years supporting companies across the region, Sharp Consultancy continues to help employers build finance teams that not only perform — but stay, grow, and make a real impact.

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A job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience and it can be all too easy to come out of the meeting and feel that you have blown your opportunity. There are some common interview mistakes which are easy to make, but thankfully, when you know what to look out for, straight-forward to avoid.

Here are our top five interview trip hazards and our suggestions for how not to fall foul of them:

1.Lack of preparation

The single biggest mistake you can make is a lack of preparation ahead of the big day. It is vital that you do plenty of research into both the job role and the company and there is a wealth of information that can be found by looking at websites, social media platforms and LinkedIn profiles of current employees. It is also essential that you fully familiarise yourself with your CV, understand how your knowledge and experience matches the key criteria outlined in the job role description and review answers to questions that you are most likely to face. And do not overlook some basic preparation steps; make sure that you know when and where your interview will take place, check your journey time if it is in person or ensure that you have the correct log in details and set up if it is to be held remotely.

2.Not being confident

It is important that you demonstrate confidence in your interview and convince your would-be employer that you are absolutely the right person for the role. Ensure that you come across in the right manner – you do not want to appear arrogant or that you believe the job is already in the bag. Communicate your confidence not only in the answers that you give but also through positive body language such as eye contact and appearing enthusiastic and engaged in the conversation.

3.Being dismissive of your current role or employer

It is understandable that you are looking for a new role because you are unhappy with at least some aspects of your current position whether that is lack of promotion or progression opportunities, a poor relationship with your line manager or desire of a better salary package. However, it is important that you take a positive approach and communicate your reasons for seeking a new role in a professional manner.

4.Not selling yourself strongly

It can be difficult to strike the right balance between demonstrating your suitability for the role and coming across as a bit of a know-it-all. One of the biggest failures is leaving the interviewer unsure about what your personal contribution is to a particular project or success – an easy way to rectify this is to make sure that you use the word ‘I’ rather than ‘we’. However, make sure that you clear on what part you did play and do not try to take credit for work that you had little or no involvement with – a small amount of careful probing from an astute interviewer could soon see you come unstuck!

5.Failing to make a lasting impression

It is important you stand out from the crowd (for the right reasons!) and when interviewers are faced with a decision between two of more candidates that demonstrate similar skills and experience, it can often be personality that will tip the balance in favour of one individual over another. Demonstrating that you are the right fit for a company’s culture and values as well as the team you would be joining is just as important as showing that you have the technical attributes needed for the role. Be sure to let your personality, as well as your experience, shine through.

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