If you’re an experienced HR professional considering a shift into consultancy, you’re not alone. Many senior HR specialists find themselves at a career crossroads, looking for more flexibility, variety, and control over their work. But is HR consultancy the right move for you? And, more importantly, do you have what it takes to succeed?
Transitioning from HR professional to HR consultant is an exciting opportunity, but it’s also a significant change. In this article, we’ll explore the key skills, traits, and considerations that will help you determine whether this path is the right fit for you.
Do you have the right experience?
Successful HR consultants typically come from a background of broad HR experience, often at a senior level. While you don’t need to be an expert in every HR specialism, a strong generalist background, coupled with solid problem-solving skills, is essential.
Consider your experience in the following areas:
- Strategic HR – have you worked with senior leadership to shape business strategy and align HR initiatives?
- Employee relations – are you comfortable handling complex ER cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, and restructures?
- Policy and compliance – do you have a strong understanding of employment law and best practices?
- SME experience – many HR consultants support small and medium-sized businesses. If you’ve worked in or with SMEs, you’ll have valuable insight into their unique challenges.
HR consultancy often involves working across multiple industries, so a breadth of experience will help you adapt quickly to different client needs.
Are you confident working independently?
One of the biggest adjustments when moving from an in-house HR role to consultancy is the shift from being part of an organisation to working independently.
In-house HR professionals often have colleagues to bounce ideas off, structured career progression, and a regular salary. As a consultant, you’ll be managing your own workload, making key decisions alone, and ensuring you have a steady pipeline of clients.
That doesn’t mean you’ll be entirely on your own – working with an HR franchise like face2faceHR provides a valuable support network, resources, and guidance. But even with this backing, you need to be comfortable operating independently and taking ownership of your business.
Are you comfortable with business development?
A critical element of being a successful consultant is securing clients. Many experienced HR professionals have the technical skills needed for consultancy but feel apprehensive about business development.
If you’re considering consultancy, ask yourself:
- Are you comfortable networking and building relationships?
- Would you be confident speaking to potential clients about their needs?
- Do you have a plan for marketing yourself and generating leads?
You don’t need to be a natural salesperson, but being proactive in promoting your services is essential. HR franchises like face2faceHR offer marketing support and brand recognition, helping to ease this challenge, but you’ll still need to be willing to put yourself out there.
Do you enjoy variety and problem-solving?
HR consultancy is rarely predictable. One day, you might be helping a client rewrite their policies; the next, you could be dealing with a complex disciplinary case. If you thrive on variety, enjoy problem-solving, and can think on your feet, consultancy could be a great fit.
That said, the variety also means you need to be comfortable with uncertainty. Unlike an in-house role, where responsibilities are largely defined, consultants need to adapt quickly to whatever challenges their clients present.
Can you manage your time effectively?
When you work as an HR consultant, no one is setting your schedule or telling you what to prioritise. You’ll need to balance client work, business development, admin, and ongoing learning – all while ensuring you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Strong organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to set boundaries. It can be tempting to take on too much, especially when building your business, but learning to manage your workload effectively will be key to long-term success.
Do you want flexibility in your career?
One of the biggest reasons HR professionals transition into consultancy is the flexibility it offers. Whether you want to work around family commitments, reduce your hours, or simply have more control over your career, consultancy provides a level of freedom that in-house roles often can’t match.
That said, flexibility comes with responsibility. You’ll need to be disciplined in managing your workload and ensuring you maintain financial stability. If you’re someone who thrives with structure and predictability, consultancy may feel like a challenge. Have a read of our previous article on ‘Finding work-life balance and flexibility’.
What support do you need to succeed?
If you’ve read this far and think HR consultancy sounds like a great fit, the next question is how to make it work for you.
Setting up as an independent consultant can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges, particularly around finding clients, staying up to date with legal changes, and managing the operational side of running a business.
That’s why many HR professionals choose to join a franchise like face2faceHR. With a franchise, you get the benefit of an established brand, marketing support, and a network of fellow consultants, allowing you to focus on delivering great HR support to your clients.
Final thoughts on transitioning from HR professional to HR consultant
Transitioning from HR professional to HR consultant is an exciting step, but it’s important to go into it with a clear understanding of what’s involved. If you have the right skills, experience, and mindset, it can be an incredibly rewarding and flexible career choice.
If you’d like to explore whether HR consultancy is right for you, download our prospectus or get in touch – we’d love to help you on your journey.