Whether you are actively seeking a new role in Accountancy and Finance or just want some informal career advice, Source Financial can help.

Operating across Merseyside and surrounding areas, we have clients in a wide range of industry sectors ranging from small and medium firms through to multi-national companies. Our diverse client base means that we can help in making sure your next move is the right move.

At Source Financial you are not just a number. You will be treated as an individual with your own specific career aspirations. We take pride in getting things right and the time we spend getting to know and understand your needs is essential in building strong relationships for now and the future.

Our excellent knowledge of the marketplace means that we can guide and support you in every step of the recruitment process, taking away many of the usual pressures associated with job hunting.

We are so confident of delivering our promises that, when the time comes for a new challenge, we know that you will want to come back to us time and time again. We will work together to advance your career. Job Seekers of today are Employers of tomorrow and we take that very seriously indeed.

At Source Financial, we will be happy to give you free expert advice on all aspects of the recruitment process. Please contact us to arrange a consultation. Below is our advice for some key stages of the recruitment process.

CV Writing Tips
The literal translation of Curriculum Vitae means the story of your life. It is usually abbreviated to CV or C.V. Your CV is one of the most important marketing tools in demonstrating your suitability for a role. The challenge in CV writing is to be more appealing and attractive than the others. It must be presented professionally, clearly, and in a way that indicates you are the perfect candidate for the job (and demonstrate you have the relevant skills, experience, behaviour and attitude that the employer is seeking). A CV presented effectively demonstrates your ability to communicate and, particularly, to explain a professional business proposition. Put yourself in the shoes of the employer and write down a description of the person they are looking for. You can now use this as a foundation for your CV. The better the match the greater chance you have of being called for interview.
We have provided our Top 10 tips to follow when preparing your CV.
1.	Keep to a maximum of two pages, single-sided, using black ink and printed on quality paper.
2.	Spelling and grammatical errors should be eliminated.
3.	Include your name and all contact details at the top. Include your email address.
4.	Use a concise writing style. Relevant headings, bullet points and short paragraphs should be used appropriately. Graphics and gimmicks should be avoided.
5.	Write in reverse chronological order. Your most recent experiences should come first. This applies to both the education and employment sections.
6.	Do not leave date gaps. If you took a Gap Year then state this. You don’t want to look as if you have something to hide.
7.	State what you did and then go on to say what you achieved.
8.	Tailor your CV to individual job applications.
9.	Know your CV – interviewers will use its content to form questions.
10.	Boast about your successes and achievements! Underselling yourself is unlikely to get you an interview for your perfect role.

Interview Advice

For most organisations interviews are a key element in the recruitment process. Interviews allow the employer to assess you and give you the opportunity to demonstrate your personality and abilities. The number of interviews required and the format of the interview varies between organisations. Source Financial will brief you fully prior to any interview we put you forward for.

Preparation is key. You should leave no detail unattended. It always pays to invest the time to prepare. Arm yourself with information which is more likely to result in inner confidence, a ‘good’ interview and a successful outcome. Basic Planning What format will the interview take? Name of interviewer(s) Length of interview; Preparation required; Tests/Role Plays/Group exercises involved?   Where will the interview take place? Plan your journey to the interview knowing how long it takes; On the day of your interview give yourself plenty of time to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Make enquiries about parking in advance.     What to wear and take? Wear smart business attire (unless instructed otherwise). If you have any doubts, wear a suit – it is better to be overdressed than underdressed! Avoid white socks, and inappropriate ties. Do not wear inappropriate jewellery. Take a copy of the interview letter along with the interviewers contact details. Take directions to the interview site. Take a copy of your CV or application form along with notes of questions you want to ask. Arm yourself with knowledge! The Organisation : It is essential to have existing knowledge about the company for your interview. It demonstrates an enthusiasm and keenness to work for the organisation. Visit their website, look them up in the trade press and, if possible, look at their annual reports. Have an understanding of the organisation’s business and the sector it operates in, its products/services and its size and market positioning. Be aware of its competitors and how it fairs against them. The Job : Have an excellent understanding of what the job entails. This will demonstrate that you are eager and it will also make it easier to relate yourself to the role. For example without knowing what skills and experience are required from the role, it is impossible to think of relevant historical workplace examples that match you to the role. You : It is essential that you know your CV and application thoroughly. This will be used for the basis of interview questions and discussion points. It is equally important to relate yourself to the person specification for the job. If the organisation is looking for X, Y and Z, it is important that you tailor yourself to be exactly this. Approach the interview with confidence and a positive frame of mind. It is a naturally pressurising situation but interviewers will take this into account. Remember the better prepared you are for your interview, the less nerve-racking it will be! Your Questions : Prepare several questions to ask at your interview. Your interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview. However, some of these questions may be answered within the natural course of the interview. Therefore it ’s better to have too many prepared than too few. Use the opportunity to ask questions as a further way of selling yourself. For example, you could ask questions that demonstrate you are keen to progress and develop within the organisation. This part of the interview also gives you the ideal opportunity to demonstrate your research by asking about relevant organisational news you have recently seen or read.

Body Language and Conducting Yourself First impressions are really important. Greet your interviewer smiling and give a firm handshake. Follow the advice above on what to wear. Throughout the interview, speak in a clear tone of voice and with confidence. Good eye contact is essential and will make communicating with your interviewer easier. Do not slouch in your chair or lean too far back – sit upright. Use moderate hand movements and avoid crossing your arms. Try to relax as much as you can but don’t get too informal as you are being assessed for the duration of the interview. It is important to be friendly but don’t go too far – always maintain professionalism. Be really positive and enthusiastic throughout the interview. Avoid negativity – remember, you’re selling yourself! Interviewer Questions Good preparation will ensure you’re in the strongest position possible to answer questions well.  The following points may help you: Talking is good but avoid waffle – always expand on your answers avoiding yes/no responses but don’t talk yourself out of the job! If you find yourself going off on a tangent, a simple “to summarise” or “in answer to your question” brings you back to the point in question. Don’t be afraid to stop and think for a few moments if you can’t think of a relevant reply. Back up your answers with lifetime or work experiences. Not only will it help you to answer the question but it will make your answer more credible. If you are unsure of what is being asked, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification! Be positive, enthusiastic and honest at all times! Concluding the Interview Ensure that the interview is left on a positive note. At the end of the interview, you should be provided with the opportunity to ask the questions you prepared earlier allowing you to sell yourself one final time. If you are not presented with this opportunity, politely ask if it is a good time to ask questions. If you are interested in the position, make it clear to the interviewer. If the next stage of the decision making process has not been made clear, then ask! Source Financial can provide comprehensive literature to help you practice interview questions. Please ask your consultant for further details.