A personnel consultant is usually self-employed and manages the recruitment of employees for external clients. A suitable college degree, experience in candidate placement and personnel management, certification from an appropriate organization, and knowledge of hiring practices are all required to become a personnel consultant. To effectively market your consulting business to customers, you may also require general business knowledge and marketing skills.
To work as a personnel consultant, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. Take courses in human resources management, organizational development, or compensation and benefits as part of an undergraduate degree. Industrial psychology courses are also useful for most jobs in the personnel consulting field, and computer and information system knowledge is essential in today’s jobs. Combining subjects like social sciences and business administration will give you an interdisciplinary background, which is beneficial for personnel consultants.
Add a specialized course in personnel consulting or a graduate course in one of the recognized human resources qualifications to your undergraduate degree. Human resources, labor relations, and business administration with a focus on human resources management are examples. You might be able to finish your postgraduate courses while working in the field of personnel management, gaining valuable experience that will help you advance to the position of personnel consultant.
Look for entry-level positions or internships in personnel consulting firms or large companies’ human resources departments to gain relevant experience. Many companies handle their own hiring and candidate placement, and you can gain valuable experience in areas like labor relations, negotiation skills, and personnel administration, all of which will help you advance your career as a personnel consultant. You’ll also have the chance to hone your interviewing skills and learn about the practical aspects of writing job descriptions that attract top talent.
Enroll in a professional organization, such as the National Association of Personnel Services, to become certified (NAPS). The Certified Personnel Consultant, or CPC, is one of the five credentials offered by the organization. Successful completion of an online examination, along with or without participation in a one-day certificate immersion class, is required for certification. Candidates must be familiar with legal issues affecting the staffing industry, as well as NAPS’ professional standards and ethics.
You can work as a personnel consultant for an agency or as an independent business once you are qualified and certified. Approach companies that require assistance with hiring processes and candidate placement to find clients. To be successful as a personnel consultant, you will need to do some marketing and give sales presentations on the services you or your agency provides.