How to Become an HR Consultant: Jobs, Salaries, Courses

Human resources (HR) personnel support employees in an organization. An HR consultant is an outside specialist the organization employs who brings in particular knowledge to improve functions, processes, and strategies. If you are an HR professional looking to progress, an HR consultant role has excellent prospects and a competitive salary. 

What is an HR consultant?

An HR consultant is an outside specialist who provides HR knowledge and expertise to various businesses and organizations. HR consultants are usually hired to provide high-level recommendations and solutions. You will typically enter an organization, evaluate processes and inefficiencies, and implement strategies to improve functions and ensure best practices.

What does an HR consultant do daily?

Day-to-day work varies for an HR consultant because the tasks depend on company needs. Some HR consultants have a niche specialty, such as recruitment, business processes, policies, and procedures. In some cases, your niche will depend on the company you’re working for. 

Regardless of the type of business, HR consultants start by meeting with the HR and management team to:

• Understand the issues and requirements

• Assess and evaluate the current process

• Recommend solutions

• Develop strategies and monitor progress.

Typical HR consultant job responsibilities

HR consultant responsibilities may depend mainly on what the company hired you for and what it needs you to address. In general, you may cover the following:

• Identifying workforce issues, goals, and specific requirements

• Researching to assess current processes and inefficiencies and suggesting solutions to existing problems

• Advising management on human resources plans and processes

• Developing strategies tailored to the organization 

• Managing the implementation of new HR strategies and monitoring changes

• Ensuring HR agendas align with employment law issues

• Formulating HR-related reports and presentations for management 

• Acknowledging, suggesting, and overseeing any necessary changes to workflow following the implementation of new systems

• Assisting with the recruitment and management of employees

• Training staff on new procedures, policies, and direction 

• Keeping up to date with industry trends

Contracting as an HR consultant vs. working for a consultancy firm

HR consultants can work independently as a contractor or at a consultancy firm, and each has its pros and cons. 

Working as a contractor means running your own business and having flexibility. You also typically earn more because you’re receiving the entirety of the money rather than a salary.

Working for a company means you don't have to spend time and money on marketing, administration, training, and other business expenses since they cover them. While it’s possible to earn more money working for yourself, if you work for a consulting firm, you don't worry about finding more work while enjoying a consistent salary. 

Skills and qualifications for an HR consultant 

The varied paths to an HR career are through education, experience, and developing certain skills. The top levels, such as HR consultants, usually require higher qualifications, certifications, and on-the-job experience. 

Education

The starting point for an HR consultant career is usually a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as human resources or business. To advance to higher levels, you may want to consider a master’s degree in human resources management to gain an edge in this competitive field. A master’s degree in HR management will focus on strategic planning, pay equity, employee rights, and international work. It typically takes one to two years to complete a master’s degree. 

Certifications 

The nationally recognized Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation is one of your options. You can earn several other HR consultant certifications to further boost your consultant credentials. Certificate programs help develop or strengthen specific career skills. While there isn’t a particular certification you must be an HR consultant, several popular certifications to consider include:

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

• Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)

• Human Resource Information Professional (HRIP) 

• HR Certification

• Conflict Resolution Certification

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)

• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)

Required skills and experience 

To work as an HR consultant, you must have fundamental skills and experience. 

Workplace skills:

• Experience and understanding of HR policies, procedures, and legislation

• Experience in recruitment methods and techniques

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Analytical and problem-solving ability

• Project management experience, ideally in an HR setting

• Experience building strategy and formulating business plans

• Ability to work under pressure and meet targets

• Experience and in-depth knowledge in leading HR functions in a senior position  

• Strong organizational skills 

• Ability to work well in a team

• Ability to project outcomes

• Ability to teach and train

• Interviewing

• Talent evaluation

Technical skills:

• IT skills, including human resources technology, such as ATS, payroll, and HR management software

• Understanding of HR evaluation and metrics models

What do HR consultants earn? 

According to Glassdoor, the average HR consultant base salary in Canada is $84,158, with a senior HR consultant earning an average base salary of $100,962 as of July 2024 [1, 2]. 

Are there professional certificates I can take to improve my resume?

To stand out amongst other HR professionals, it may be worth investing in a certificate related to an HR specialization. These can include:

• HRCI’s Certificate in Human Resources Management

• MacQuarie University’s Global Leadership and Human Resource Management MasterTrack® Certificate

• The Institute of Certified Professional Managers’ ICPM Certified Supervisor Professional Certificate

Looking to change careers and move into HR?

HR consultants are external specialists who provide HR expertise to organizations. The role offers a higher salary and a promising career path for experienced HR professionals with strong skills and qualifications.

If you’re looking for a career change and feel that you have the relevant experience to move into the field, a great starting point is a foundation-level HR course. Consider taking Human Resource Management: HR for People Management Specialization offered by the University of Minnesota on Coursera.

You can also pursue a range of online courses to learn about the basics and specialist knowledge to start or progress your HR career. Try Hiring Practices or Human Resources Analytics, for starters.