Are you considering bringing in a human resource management consultant to help with one or more aspects of the HR function in your business? Whether you would like someone to help with the process of updating or creating your employee handbook, if you are need guidance when it comes to handling difficult employee issues that sometimes arise, or if you are in need of a completely different kind of help with employee relations or compliance concerns, it’s important to choose a skilled professional with the expertise and extensive knowledge needed to provide you with the assistance that you need. Even though there isn’t a specific licensure requirement for HR consultants, there are ways you can make sure that any individual or company you are considering hiring has the necessary know-how to provide you with the guidance you are seeking.
Four Important Considerations When Selecting an HR Consultant
1. Verify Senior-Level Certification Credentials
Look for someone who holds a Senior Professional in Human Resource Management (SPHR) certification any time that you are planning to bring in an outside consultant to provide issues or guidance on matters of significance. When you choose a consultant with this credential, you can be certain that he or she has knowledge on all key aspects of HR at an executive decision-making level and stays current with key concerns in the field by keeping up with continuing education requirements. You can verify that an individual holds a valid SPHR credential at HRCI.org, the official website of the HR Certification Institute.
2. Review the Consultant’s Work Experience
In order to be able to provide high-quality human resource consulting services, an individual’s work history should reflect significant professional experience with increasing levels of responsibility over time. It’s not really possible to get the knowledge required to provide HR consulting services without having real-world experience making – and dealing with the consequences of – significant decisions about policy, procedure and law in a business environment, as well as having the experience of working with employees and supervisory personnel on an ongoing basis.
3. Look for Publications and Presentations
Established consultants with good reputations and recognized expertise are likely to be featured in publications and presentations on a regular basis. Consultants who are experts in their field are frequently sought after to provide bylined articles for reputable websites and magazines and are often quoted in news stories and background pieces. Many consultants have written books on the field of HR and/or their areas of specialty, and are frequently scheduled for speaking engagements at highly respected professional organizations. Conducting a simple online search of the names of the consultants you are considering can help you determine how widely published and recognized a particular individual is.
4. Check Client References
It’s essential to check references before hiring an HR consultant. Be sure to ask any consultant you are thinking about working with to provide you contact information for a few current and past clients that had projects similar in scope to your needs. Take the time to contact the references, being sure to ask questions that can help you make an informed decision regarding whether the consultant you are considering is someone you can meet your needs. Ask questions that can help you determine how approachable and responsive the consultant is, as well as information regarding his or her knowledge base, detail-orientation, follow-through capabilities, and more. Attempt to determine out if the references were satisfied with the services received and ask if they would use the individual for future projects.
Make a Wise Decision
By taking the time to follow these steps when searching for an HR consultant, you will greatly improve your chances of finding a consultant who can help with the services that you need at this particular time, as well as someone that you can call on in the future when you need additional assistance with human resource management challenges in your organization.
About the Author
Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SPHR is the Director of Training and Consulting Services for MTI Business Solutions, where she specializes in human resources, management, and public relations training and consulting. She teaches business training seminars in Mobile, AL and provides on-site corporate training and conference presentations throughout the U.S., as well as human resource management and public relations consulting services. She is also the author of 101 Human Resource Management Tips and 101 Successful PR Campaign Tips in the LifeTips book series.