You need to enable JavaScript in order to use the AI chatbot tool powered by ChatBot

Elevate your personal brand for career success this Year

Alastair Paterson our consultant managing the role
snippet image

The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity to refresh your professional profile to attract potential employers. Whether you’re actively job hunting, or looking to position yourself for future opportunities, one way to really stand out from the crowd is to volunteer your expertise to organisations who greatly need your support. Volunteering also provides valuable skills and experience which will serve you well in your professional career – so it really is a two way street!

 Volunteering has many benefits:

snippet image
At Marks Sattin, we understand the importance of a enhancing your personal brand and are dedicated to helping professionals refine their profiles and combine career expertise with meaningful extracurricular contributions to unlock new and exciting career prospects. We have a longstanding relationship with Charterpath which has YTD resulted in:
  • 800+ people attending a Marks Sattin & Charterpath event, and we raised £1,500 for Charterpath at a raffle during one of our events!
  •  Referring 200+ finance professionals to join Charterpath’s volunteering community
  •  100+ finance professionals on Marks Sattin’s database who have applied for volunteering roles, creating £300k+ value for the non-profit sector!

Here’s our key takeaways to make sure your professional profile stands out

Quantify your achievements

Here’s our key takeaways to make sure your professional profile stands out. Employers value measurable results because they demonstrate the real world impact of your work. Be as specific as possible about your accomplishments. 

Replace vague statements like "Improved team effectiveness" with specifics such as "Implemented a new workflow system that increased team productivity by 20%."

If you have ever undertaken a volunteering role, use metrics to highlight your contributions, such as revenue growth, cost savings, or project completion rates. 
Examples could be: “Managed a non-profit budget of £50,000, reducing costs by 15%”, or “Organised fundraising events that generated £20,000 for community initiatives."


LinkedIn allows you to showcase achievements further by attaching presentations, certificates, or portfolio items directly to job positions, providing recruiters with tangible proof of your skills.


Highlight extracurricular activities

Hobbies and volunteering achievements will enrichen your CV and express your personality to a potential employer. Volunteering also allows you to diversify your network and demonstrate your commitment to causes, which can resonate strongly with interviewers. Choose opportunities that align with your career goals. If you’re interested in working in finance, volunteering at a non-profit’s finance team with Charterpath volunteering at a non-profit’s finance team with Charterpath could be a great experience.

Volunteering your professional skills is more than just a selfless act—it’s an investment in your career. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or someone in the midst of a career transition, volunteering offers invaluable opportunities for skill development, networking, and CV building."

Alice clementi | charterpath

Here are a few steps that will help you write a compelling CV:

Focus on keywords

Recruiters and applicant tracking systems increasingly rely on keywords to shortlist candidates. Your CV and LinkedIn profile should integrate industry specific terms and skills to ensure you rank high in searches.

  • Go through job descriptions in your chosen field to identify frequently used terms.
  • Tailor to the job - highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Include keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  • On LinkedIn, add these keywords to your headline, summary, and skills section to enhance your visibility in recruiter searches.

One of the most common mistakes professionals make is focusing entirely on past roles and achievements without gearing their CV or LinkedIn towards future opportunities. Before you begin, define your career goals for the year ahead. Evaluate whether the roles and skills you highlight align with your aspirations.

Optimise sections for readability

Both CVs and LinkedIn profiles need to be scannable and easy to read. Hiring managers often spend less than 30 seconds reviewing each candidate, so your information must be well-structured.


  • Stick to reverse chronological order for job experiences, focusing on your most recent and relevant roles. 
  •  Use bullet points to summarise your responsibilities and accomplishments. 
  •  Introduce clear section headings (e.g. Professional Experience, Certifications, Skills) to guide the reader through your CV.

On LinkedIn, leverage the platform’s 2,600-character summary section to tell your professional story with clarity and impact.

Refresh and refine your profile picture & branding

Your LinkedIn profile picture acts as a digital first impression, so ensure it’s clear, professional, and up to date.


  • Use a high-quality headshot in which you’re dressed appropriately for your target industry. 
  •  Smile and aim for a friendly demeanour to convey approachability.

Equally, consider adding a customised LinkedIn banner that represents your professional branding. A simple background featuring your industry tools or a tagline can set your profile apart positively.

Stay active throughout the year

Finally, remember regular updates to your CV and LinkedIn profile keep them fresh and ensure they remain aligned with your career progression.


  • Add new projects, certifications, or roles as you complete them.
  • Celebrate milestones, contributions, or skills acquired by sharing relevant updates with your LinkedIn network.
  •  Stay active on LinkedIn - engaging with posts, commenting on industry discussions, or even writing original content, keeps your professional presence visible and top of mind.
  • The new year is a time for setting goals and aligning your professional assets with your ambitions. Crafting a compelling CV and LinkedIn profile is one of the most crucial steps in paving your way to success.

Start your job search with Marks Sattin

My advice would be to create a list of bulleted responsibilities for each role, highlighting your remit and duties. Then a list of achievements underneath, showcasing results against set targets. Remember, a CV should be about YOU and your impact. If you have achieved milestones or added value through extracurricular activities such as hobbies, sports or volunteering your skills, be sure to highlight this too! 

One of the biggest mistakes people make is include unnecessary information. Keep it concise. Use data, percentages and values to create impact. It's always worth looking at including the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when creating a CV, to give the reader context and insight into your experience.”

Alastair paterson | Commercial director

At Marks Sattin, we specialise in placing professionals in finance, technology, transformation and legal roles.

Whether you're seeking your next challenge or looking for market intel, our team of experts are here to help you navigate the job market with confidence. This year, take charge of your professional journey not just by refining your CV and LinkedIn profile, but also by engaging in meaningful volunteering opportunities with Charterpath.


snippet image
25/02/25
jobs

Related jobs

Finance Director

Salary:

Negotiable

Location:

London

Industry

Media & Communications

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£125,000 - £175,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

A hospitality and entertainment brand is currently looking for a Finance Director to join their team in London (Hybrid).

Reference

BBBH184244

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Charlie Buddery Find out more
Financial, Planning and Analysis Manager

Salary:

£67,000 - £75,000 per annum + Excellent Benefits Package

Location:

Wigan, Greater Manchester

Industry

Manufacturing

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager for a PE backed manufacturing business based in Wigan with hybrid working paying between £67,000 - £75,000.

Reference

BBBH184364

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Nathan  Jones

Author

Nathan Jones
Find out more
Head of Commercial Finance

Salary:

£75,000 - £85,000 per annum + Car Allowance + Benefits

Location:

Crewe, Cheshire

Industry

Transport & Logistics

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£80,000 - £100,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Head of Commercial Finance role for a well-established organisation based just outside of Crewe paying up to £85,000 + benefits.

Reference

BBBH183457

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Nathan  Jones

Author

Nathan Jones
Find out more
Group Reporting Manager

Salary:

£65,000 - £75,000 per annum + Additional Benefits Package

Location:

Cheadle, Greater Manchester

Industry

Manufacturing

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Group Reporting Manager role for a global manufacturing business based in Cheadle offering hybrid working paying between £65,000 and £75,000.

Reference

BBBH184108

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Nathan  Jones

Author

Nathan Jones
Find out more
Capex Analyst

Salary:

£40,000 - £45,000 per annum

Location:

Greater Manchester

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

Part qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£40,000 - £50,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Contract

Description

Capex Analyst | Greater Manchester | Up to £45k | Immediate Start | 6 month FTC

Reference

BBBH184360

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Jamie Miller

Author

Jamie Miller
Find out more
Finance Manager

Salary:

£60,000 - £65,000 per annum

Location:

Horsham, West Sussex

Industry

Technology

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£60,000 - £70,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Our high growth client in the tech/SAAS industry are looking for a new Finance Manager to join their growing finance team.

Reference

129384

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Harry Latham

Author

Harry Latham
Find out more
Management Accountant

Salary:

£60,000 - £65,000 per annum

Location:

Enfield, London

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

Finalist / Newly qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£60,000 - £70,000

Job Discipline

Newly Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

A fast-growing retailer and consumer goods business based in North London is looking for a new Management Accountant to join their finance team.

Reference

HLM124665

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Harry Latham

Author

Harry Latham
Find out more
Credit Controller

Salary:

£27,000 - £29,000 per annum

Location:

Normanton, West Yorkshire

Industry

Business Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£25,000 - £30,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Credit Controller role in Wakefield

Reference

BBBH184276

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Cameron  Walsh

Author

Cameron Walsh
Find out more
Management Accountant

Salary:

£35,000 - £38,000 per annum

Location:

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Industry

Property and Infrastructure

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Management Accountant - Abingdon (hybrid)- £35,000 to £38,000

Reference

BBBH184350

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Neil Burton

Author

Neil Burton
Neil Burton

Author

Neil Burton
Find out more
Finance Business Partner - 6 Month Contract

Salary:

£500 - £600 per day + Via Umbrella

Location:

London

Industry

Investment Banking & Capital Markets

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Financial Services

Salary

£350 - £450

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Contract

Description

Interim Finance Business Partner - 6 Month Contract Location: London (Hybrid) Salary: £500 - £600 per day via umbrella - Banking FP&A experience Required!

Reference

BBBH184347

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Deem NaPattaloong Find out more
View all jobs