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How to become an HR Consultant

HR Consultant

Career progression and salary expectations for an HR Consultant

1

HR Assistant

| Up to £20,000
2

HR advisor

| Up to £30,000
3

HR Manager

| Up to £40,000

The role of an HR Consultant

You hate Mondays because you hate your job. You should be a HR Consultant…

Attracting and retaining the best staff is absolutely vital for a business to run successfully. However, not all companies have internal teams in place that can cope with demands. That’s where a HR Consultant comes in.

A specific type of management consulting, it’s a HR Consultant’s job is to make sure their clients get the most effective assistance and advice on HR best practices – whether it’s to help them grow, or deal with a difficult situation.

Typical responsibilities for a HR Consultant may include:

  • Assessing current internal procedures and guidelines
  • Making recommendations and proposals on how clients can improve their HR operations
  • Implementing company policies and permeating them through the business
  • Assisting with recruitment
  • Advising on salary or other remuneration issues
  • Ensuring clients are up-to-date with the latest employment law and legislations
  • Helping with dismissals, disciplinaries, or other legal matters
As a HR Consultant, excellent people skills are absolutely essential. You need to be able to communicate well with staff at all levels, and your ability to build trust will be key to your success.

Additionally, one of the most underrated skills for a HR Consultant to have is the ability to sell. You will often be pitching your business to services directly, and having good selling and negotiation skills could prove incredibly lucrative in attracting new business.

Other key skills for an HR Consultant include:

  • Excellent man-management skills
  • Good business acumen
  • Approachability
  • Integrity
  • Patience
  • Empathy
"Being a HR Consultant is great. I get to deal with employment law and the legal side of things, which I’m most passionate about, and pass on my expertise to help make workplaces better. I love the variety most. I go from business to business, doing a few days a week at each for a few months. Because I move around so much, things are always new and exciting, and definitely keep me on my toes. Just don’t call me a people person. Not a big fan of that label, if I’m honest."

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