Many HR professionals toy with the idea of becoming an HR consultant, but assume it’s all about years of experience or technical expertise. Of course, your CV and track record matter, but they’re not the whole story.
This month, we’re following the journey of Jane Fryatt, who launched her face2faceHR consultancy in Abingdon back in 2018. Like many HR professionals, Jane wanted more freedom and flexibility than her corporate role could offer and decided to strike out on her own. Seven years on, she’s built a thriving business with a team of employees and a loyal client base, and along the way she’s learned plenty about what really makes a consultant successful.
In reality, the qualities that help you succeed when becoming an HR consultant often go beyond years served in HR. Consultancy is about adaptability, confidence, and people skills. It’s about how you show up for clients, how you approach challenges, and how you keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan.
If you’ve ever imagined working for yourself in HR, here’s what really counts.
It starts with people, not policies
When Jane launched her consultancy in 2018, it took a while to land her first retainer client. “It felt like ages,” she remembers. But she stuck with networking, kept showing up, and gradually built a reputation that led to referrals. Those early relationships were the building blocks of a business that now supports more than 50 clients.
That’s the thing: consultancy isn’t just about knowing employment law inside out. It’s about listening, understanding what makes business owners tick, and helping them feel they’ve got someone in their corner. A great consultant is approachable, easy to talk to, and able to quickly adapt to different business cultures.
HR consultancy is about:
- listening first, advising second;
- showing empathy for both employers and employees; and
- adjusting your style to fit the person in front of you.
Commercial awareness makes you indispensable
One of the things Jane points out is that her clients value her not just as an HR adviser but as “a commercial businessperson.” That shift in mindset is crucial.
SMEs don’t want long-winded, theoretical answers. They want pragmatic advice that helps their business succeed. Sometimes that means finding a legally compliant option that doesn’t pile on extra admin. Other times it’s about helping a client weigh up risks in plain English and make a confident decision.
The best consultants can:
- understand how a business makes money (and where HR fits in);
- explain risks clearly without unnecessary alarm; and
- offer solutions that balance compliance with practicality.
When clients see that you understand their world, they trust you to stand alongside them, not just to deliver HR but to help them run their business better.
Adaptability and resilience are non-negotiable
Every consultant faces challenges. For Jane, that included steering her business through the pandemic, economic shifts, and the ups and downs of growth. “There were times when I felt I wasn’t growing at all, and times when we went backwards,” she admits. But resilience kept her moving forward.
Adaptability doesn’t just mean pivoting your business during a crisis. It shows up in smaller, everyday moments too. Clients don’t always present you with neat, clear-cut problems. More often than not, you’ll need to dig deeper, untangle emotions from facts, and find a way forward that works for everyone.
Hallmarks of a resilient consultant:
- keeping calm when clients are stressed;
- spotting the real issue beneath the surface; and
- being flexible and creative when finding solutions.
It’s not about never wobbling. It’s about having the grit to get back up and keep going.
Confidence and credibility build client loyalty
If you ask Jane what her long-term clients value most, she’ll tell you: “The peace of mind, 100%.” That feeling doesn’t come from quoting case law. It comes from giving clear, confident, and timely advice that helps business owners breathe easier.
Credibility also means being honest. Jane is proud that in a couple of cases, clients transferred to other face2faceHR consultants who were a better fit. For her, that honesty reflects well on the whole network and shows clients that their needs come first.
Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s about showing you can be relied on and being willing to say “I’ll find out” rather than bluffing. Over time, it’s those qualities that turn one-off projects into long-term partnerships.
Continuous learning keeps you relevant
HR is always evolving, from legislation changes to new ways of working. Consultants who thrive are the ones who keep learning. Jane trained as a mediator in 2023 and loved it so much she’s keen for her team to do the same. She’s also embraced tools like BreatheHR and Asana to work smarter and help clients reduce admin.
That mindset of curiosity and growth is vital. Standing still isn’t really an option in consultancy because clients expect you to stay one step ahead.
Great consultants:
- stay on top of employment law changes;
- embrace new technology and ways of working; and
- keep reflecting on their own practice and developing new skills.
More than years served
Jane’s story proves that success when becoming an HR consultant isn’t just about racking up experience. Yes, experience is a strong foundation, but what really matters is how you use it.
It’s the combination of listening skills, commercial savvy, resilience, credibility, and curiosity that will set you apart. Those are the qualities that turn a competent HR professional into a consultant clients trust and rely on.
Thinking about taking the leap?
If you’ve been considering becoming an HR consultant, remember it’s not just about experience. It’s about mindset, adaptability, and people skills. Download our prospectus or get in touch to explore whether consultancy could be the right fit for you.