Working for yourself

There’s significant demand for external consultants in the profession, with the types of roles varying across the board. This page outlines what to expect if you're working as a self-employed consultant, and provides guidance and resources to help you make a success of your consulting career, from networks and career advice to HR tools and professional indemnity insurance.

Types of consultancy work

Here are a few examples of the types of contracts awarded to external consultants:

Defining the needs of a 50-employee-strong SME with no internal people function, and enabling that organisation to grow
An organisation design specialist working with an executive team to help translate their business strategy into an organisation that's fit for the future
An employee relations lead auditing the current set of policies and procedures in the organisation
A diversity and inclusion specialist helping define what the organisation needs to do in order to create a culture of inclusivity
A training provider running a management development course across three tiers of management in a larger organisation
A reward analyst carrying out an annual benchmarking review to support salary and bonus recommendations.

How does the CIPD support consultants?

Select from the icons below to explore the resources, support and networks we offer to help you make a success of your consulting career.

Career advice

CIPD Career hub
The CIPD Career hub, provided by The Access Group, contains information for consultants in one easily accessible space. If you’re already a CIPD member, simply log in to access the Career hub consultants page - a gateway to information, tools and advice designed to support you throughout your consulting career.

Profession Map
Want to plan your CPD, build a competency framework or learn about the knowledge and behaviours required to be a successful people professional? Then visit our interactive Profession Map.

Looking to start your own consultancy?
Read Joe Bell’s essential questions to ask before you begin.

Networking

CIPD Community
Learn, debate and connect with like-minded consultants in the CIPD Community.

LinkedIn Forum
Network with other CIPD members working in the consultant and interim field by joining our LinkedIn forum.

Regional network
CIPD regions are local networks run by volunteers that provide our members with networking and learning opportunities which can prove invaluable to help you stay up to date and connected. Get in touch with your local region to find out what's happening near you.

Employment law support

Confidential helplines
CIPD members have free access to:

employment law support regarding specific situations they face in their work including dismissal, discrimination, redundancy, contractual issues and new and impending legislation. Phone: 1800 812 603.
whistleblower advice if you find yourself in a dilemma about what to do if you witness wrongdoing in the workplace. Phone: 1800 303715.

HR-inform
Use HR-inform to access information and guidance on a range of topics. With customisable templates and policies to download (and even add your logo to), you'll be able to meet your clients' requests by saving valuable time and effort. And, as a CIPD member, you get a 50% discount on a standard one-year subscription rate to HR-inform!

Looking for more resources?
We've a wealth of employment law resources to help you provide accurate and current information to your clients, ensuring you stay up to date will all aspects of employment law.

News and resources

Our popular news and resources provide you with a wealth of information, resources and insight, on a range of different topics - many of which are relevant to your daily work as a consultant.

EBSCO
With over 200 leading journal and magazine titles to choose from - covering HR, business, management and L&D - EBSCO provides you with relevant, reliable academic content from leading academic publishers, academic societies and university presses.

Real-life success stories

Browse through the stories of those who've worked as successful consultants, freelancers and self-employed. Find out what made them take the first steps towards independent consulting, the challenges they faced, and the skills they needed for their businesses to flourish.