Back to Career Guides

How to become an HR Consultant

5,319

HR Consultant jobs

7,546

HR Consultant courses

Career progression and salary expectations for an HR Consultant

HR Assistant

| Up to £20,000

HR advisor

| Up to £30,000

HR Manager

| Up to £40,000

The role of an HR Consultant

What does an HR Consultant do?

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

Is a career as an HR Consultant right for me?

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

What's it like to be an HR Consultant?

"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."

Get qualified as an HR Consultant

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a HR Consultant. However, it is recommended to have some qualifications specific to the industry, such as CIPD.

Recommended HR courses

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Human Resource Management

Course 4 U

UK Govt Ofqual Approved Course. No hidden fees. Tutorial support included. No Exams only Assignments based
- Compare
- Online
- 26 weeks · Part-time
- Regulated qualification
- Exam(s) included
- Certificate(s) included
- Tutor support
See more See less

Courses 4 U is an independent private higher education institution in the UK. Established in 2015 as an online provider of Ofqual regulated courses, we deliver educational RQF Level 2–8 courses globally using advanced technology from the UK. Courses for you name is referred to a …
£1,295
Microsoft office for HR - CPD Certified

Training Express Ltd

15 Courses Bundle | CPD Accredited | Free PDF & Hard Copy Certificate included | Free Retake Exam | Lifetime Access
- Compare
- Online
- 75 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 150 CPD points
- Tutor support
See more See less

✩ Trusted by Over 10K Business Partners & 1 Million Students Around the World! ✩ [Updated 2025] Microsoft Office for HR – CPD Certified Ready to boost your HR expertise while mastering Microsoft Office? With HR roles becoming increasingly digital, proficiency in tools like E …
Save 8%

£100 £109