You're considering a career in HR consulting. What are the benefits?

Yes one thing I have found helpful is the work life balance. You can be your own boss and work according to your schedule and priorities your work upon your preferences. Less stressful no unnecessary arguments and you can utilise your own expertise and knowledge.

HR consulting provides exposure to a wide range of industries, companies, and challenges, ensuring no two days are alike. This variety keeps the work engaging and allows for a flexible approach to where and how projects are undertaken, appealing to those who value diversity in their work and work-life balance.

If you don't like routine, this is the perfect job for you! Different markets, positions, products, and, in our case, countries, change the way you think about the recruitment process. Obviously, you will have your favorite market and product, but my suggestion is to be open to learning new things.

No other career can offer the same level of variety and flexibility. Different clients, different problems, different industries , different markets - the context could be numerous and no two days maybe similar. Even the same problem that you might be working on for two different clients will likely track dissimilar implementation. Also the working environment at most consulting cos is fairly flexible with focus on outcomes. Individuals are expected to mange their commitments and day at their discretion. With this flexibility comes immense responsibility to use the same with care.

A career in HR consulting offers diverse advantages, including exposure to various industries and organizations, the opportunity to solve complex HR challenges, continuous learning, and professional growth. Consultants often enjoy flexibility in work arrangements, exposure to cutting-edge HR practices, and the satisfaction of making a tangible impact on clients' success. Additionally, networking opportunities and a dynamic work environment contribute to the appeal of a career in HR consulting.

The HR Consulting world is really supportive and collaborative. Others will be willing to help you develop your skills and develop your business. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Be prepared to learn more about business than you will about HR. Yes you need to keep on top of your knowledge to be effective when working with a client but you need to understand every area up to the point and after working with them.

The field demands continuous learning to stay abreast of the latest HR trends, laws, and best practices. This constant development not only enhances your skill set but also positions you as a subject matter expert, making your role both challenging and rewarding.

One of my favorite things about consulting in the HR area is the variety of challenges. Between my work on the topics of employee experience and HR tech (especially AI), there is lots of room to continuously grow. Since the pace of development in the field is enormous at the moment, I’m always able to be in touch with new topics.

I believe the best part of being an HR consultant is learning about different ways to accomplish the same goal: filling positions. For instance, promoting inclusion and diversity in the mining industry differs from addressing the same theme in a consumer goods company. Considering different products enhances your recruitment learning significantly. For example, early talent programs teach you how to evaluate potential rather than professional experience. Moreover, working with various countries provides an even better opportunity. While the service remains the same, the methods to achieve results vary greatly.

HR consultants play a crucial role in shaping the workplaces of their clients by improving organizational culture, enhancing employee engagement, and implementing effective HR strategies. The direct impact of your work on a company’s success and employee well-being can be immensely satisfying.

The best feeling is when your client has doubts about the shortlist because they believe two or three candidates could fit the position. Another rewarding experience is witnessing someone you placed being promoted on LinkedIn!

The summary above is pretty spot on in terms of previous experience. The key is how do you transition from your corporate role into consulting . This involves a whole new skill set and also needs to get the consultant gaining an income quickly . A passion for learning is a must .

To prepare yourself for a consulting career, I would recommend that individuals stay curious , humble and invest time in reading on a variety of topics - People like to meet other interesting people, who have a perspective! Build your focus and mindset to be available to others for solving problems. It should be pretty helpful in consulting careers. Consulting is also not charity. So also build your commercial acumen!

Building a successful career in HR consulting requires a solid foundation in HR principles, coupled with strong analytical and interpersonal skills. Gaining experience in various HR functions, pursuing relevant certifications, and developing consulting skills such as problem-solving, project management, and effective communication are essential steps.

A solid educational background, proficiency in English, and being a communicative person will help you develop your career as an HR consultant.

Developing essential consulting skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and project management, is crucial. Seek opportunities to cultivate these abilities through internships, part-time roles, or volunteer work within HR-related contexts. Additionally, consider enrolling in courses or workshops focused on consulting fundamentals, client relationship management, and presentation skills. By building a strong foundation in these areas, you'll be better equipped to assess client needs effectively, tailor solutions to their requirements, and articulate recommendations persuasively.

When thinking about branching out into HR Consulting, consider factors like building a client base, managing finances without a steady salary, health insurance costs, staying updated on HR and employment law trends, marketing yourself effectively, and developing a strong network to thrive. Additionally, evaluate your tolerance for risk and ability to handle the responsibilities of running a business.

Every consultants journey is different and the type of business you want will depend on your purpose for wanting to be a consultant . If you want to live and work remotely for example then the services you provide will need to be tailored around that lifestyle. Or maybe you want to create a business based on retainers - this provides great stability but often less flexibility . So it’s key to explore how you want your consulting day to look like first - then given your chosen marketplace - what are the types of services and products are needed .

Networking and building a robust professional reputation are crucial in the consulting business. Engage with industry leaders, contribute to HR forums, and attend relevant workshops and conferences to build your network. Additionally, consider specializing in a niche area of HR to differentiate yourself and provide targeted value to clients.

Be prepared to take on every role in a business when you start out. Finance, marketing, sales, business development, operations, social media manager, the lot! Once you have some income you can get help from specialists however you will need to understand every way of working to be truly successful.