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Do you need a human resources consultant?

​By Pesync Team

Posted  28 September 2020

What is an HR consultant?

Human resource consulting is a profession that offers businesses the opportunity to assess, audit, plan, design, and implement solutions to address many factors that affect workforce and HR management.​

Many human resource consultants provide useful services for businesses, often including:

• Analyzing a company’s current HR programs and recommending solutions
• Developing, revising, and implementing HR policies & procedures and ensuring compliance with the relevant  laws and regulations
• Conducting audits of HR activities to ensure compliance
• Presenting training sessions related to specific HR programs
• Assisting with recruitment and retention of employees
• Giving guidance on salary or other remuneration issues

Why companies hire HR consultants?

​Small to mid-size organizations simply don’t have the internal resources or expertise needed to take on projects or a budget to set-up a full-scale HR department. Some businesses need an outside perspective on a particular HR challenge or the flexibility of outsourcing human resources without paying a full-time employee salary.

Getting Started

If you run a business, you can probably do much of the work yourself. Here are some good resources: 

• Check out our customizable HR Products on building your HR function for your business
• Pesync Help Center will answer your questions and get you started
• If you think that you still need extra help from an HR consultant, continue reading about how to choose a human resources consultant.

Choosing an HR Consultant

A great time to hire is when you don’t have the internal resources or need an outside perspective. The first step is to identify and specify the exact issue or need to be addressed, this will form your scope of work.

​Choosing an HR consultant might involve the following stages:

• Identify consultancy firms who have relevant business/industry experience of working successfully.
• Check HR consultant business references. Ask past clients if they felt that this consultant provided useful service or solution, was easy to work with, and produced positive results.
• Interview your potential consultants. Some useful questions to ask may include:
  1. Can you show me examples of your previous work and share some success stories?
  2. Do you follow any methodologies?
  3. How would approach this specific issue/scope of work?
  4. What kind of results do you expect to see, and in what timeframe? 
  5. How do you measure your success?
  6. What's your experience in my industry?
  7. What's your experience in my city/country?
  8. What are your most important techniques?
  9. How long have you been in business?
  10. Will you provide detailed information about your recommendations and the reasoning behind them?
  11. Do you charge your customers on an hourly basis/retainer?
  12. What makes your HR consulting unique and valuable to customers?
  13. Who are your customers?
  14. Who are your competitors?

Helpful Guidelines

​While HR consultants can provide valuable services, it’s not uncommon for some consultants to underestimate the work required, and then struggle to deliver within the timeline and scope parameters.

​Be wary of HR consulting firms that are secretive or won't clearly explain what they intend to do. Ask for explanations if something is unclear.

​While you consider whether to go with an HR consultant, you may want to do some research on the industry. Consulting firms calling themselves “top or best” must be backed up with a strong client reference base and credentials. Be careful.

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