Beyond the CV: How to Identify High-Performing Finance Talent

In a world where technical qualifications are the baseline, how do you spot the finance professionals who will genuinely elevate your team? High-performing talent rarely reveals itself on paper alone. The real indicators are often found between the lines - in mindset, adaptability, and the impact they’ve made in the roles they’ve held.

1. Look for Evidence of Strategic Thinking

High performers don’t just execute - they think ahead. Look for candidates who have contributed to shaping business direction, improved processes, or challenged the status quo. Their CV may list achievements, but in conversation, they’ll speak in terms of outcomes, value creation, and long-term impact.

2. Evaluate Commercial Acumen, Not Just Technical Skills

Strong finance professionals understand the numbers; great ones understand what they mean for the business. Use interviews and case studies to explore how they’ve partnered with commercial teams, influenced decision-making, or identified growth opportunities. True high performers bridge the gap between finance and strategy.

3. Seek Adaptability and Resilience

In fast-moving environments, technical excellence alone doesn’t cut it. High performers demonstrate agility - they’ve taken on unfamiliar challenges, adapted to shifting priorities, or led through uncertainty. Listen for stories of growth, transformation, and how they responded when things didn’t go to plan.

4. Assess Cultural Fit and Emotional Intelligence

Cultural alignment is often what separates high performers from high-maintenance hires. Can they build trust across the business? Do they understand stakeholder dynamics? Are they self-aware and reflective in how they lead? These traits may not be listed on a CV, but they’ll show up in how a candidate speaks about their teams, challenges, and successes.

5. Look for Career Intentionality

High performers tend to move with purpose. Their career choices make sense, with a clear narrative of progression and increasing responsibility. Gaps, lateral moves, or short stints aren’t red flags - but how they explain them can be revealing. Look for clarity of thought, self-awareness, and ambition tempered with humility.

6. References That Go Beyond the Basics

References can be powerful when used correctly. Ask for specific examples: How did they lead under pressure? What’s their impact on team morale? Would you rehire them? Trusted, detailed references can confirm the intangible qualities that set high performers apart.

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Finding high-performing finance talent means looking beyond qualifications and titles. It requires a more nuanced approach - one that focuses on mindset, impact, and fit. When you shift the focus from the CV to the person, you uncover potential that no job board or algorithm can surface.

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