How to become a business consultant

Is becoming a business consultant right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do business consultants do?

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How to become a Business Consultant

Becoming a business consultant involves gaining the right education, building real-world experience, and developing strong problem-solving and communication skills. Here’s a general guide to getting started:

  • Earn a Relevant Degree: Start by completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Business Management, Finance, Marketing, or a related field. This provides a solid foundation in how companies operate and what makes them successful.
  • Gain Practical Experience: Work in a business-related role to build hands-on experience. Time spent in management, sales, operations, or finance helps you understand common challenges businesses face and how to solve them.
  • Consider Advanced Education: Some consultants pursue a master’s degree, such as an MBA, to deepen their expertise and improve their career prospects, especially when working with larger clients or firms.
  • Develop Specialized Skills: Focus on the area you want to consult in—such as marketing, IT, or HR—and strengthen your skills through certifications, online courses, or training programs relevant to that specialty.
  • Build a Portfolio and Network: As you gain experience, start documenting successful projects and outcomes. Networking with business owners, joining industry groups, and attending professional events can help you find clients or job opportunities.
  • Start Consulting: You can begin as a freelancer, join a consulting firm, or offer your services to small businesses. With strong results and a good reputation, your consulting career can grow steadily over time.

Certifications

  • Certified Management Consultant (CMC): Offered by the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), this is a globally recognized credential for experienced consultants. It verifies your professional standards, ethics, and consulting skills.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP): Provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this certification is ideal for consultants managing projects or organizational change.
  • SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP: These are HR-focused certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). SHRM-CP is for early to mid-career professionals, while SHRM-SCP is for senior-level HR consultants.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA): A licensed accounting designation that is especially useful for consultants in finance, accounting, or business advisory roles.
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): Offered by the CFA Institute, this credential is ideal for consultants focusing on investment management or financial strategy.

Online Learning Platforms

  • Coursera: Offers business consulting and strategy courses from universities like the University of Virginia, University of Illinois, and Wharton (University of Pennsylvania).
  • LinkedIn Learning: Provides professional development courses on consulting, business analysis, project management, and client communication.
  • edX: Features business and management courses from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and the University of Queensland. These platforms offer verified certificates upon completion.

Books and Publications

  • The McKinsey Way by Ethan M. Rasiel – A well-known book sharing insights into consulting methods used by McKinsey & Company.
  • Good to Great by Jim Collins – A respected book about why some companies thrive while others don’t.
  • The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – Widely read by consultants and entrepreneurs for its insights on innovation and growth.
  • Harvard Business Review (HBR): A trusted publication covering strategy, leadership, and business consulting topics.

Professional Organizations

  • Institute of Management Consultants USA (IMC USA): Offers certification, networking, and education for consultants across industries.
  • Project Management Institute (PMI): Best known for the PMP credential, it also offers networking and professional development resources.
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): A leading association for HR professionals, including consultants.