What is a consultant?

What is a consultant and what do they actually do? If you’ve ever thought about pursuing a career as a consultant or are simply curious, you’re not alone! Consultants play an essential role in various sectors and companies around the world. However, many people don’t know the answer to the question “What does a consultant do?” and “Why is there so much demand for them?”

A consultant is a specialized advisor who provides expert advice to businesses and individuals. The areas of expertise vary, as there are multiple disciplines in which consultants can operate. These may include marketing, finance, labor law, human resources management, IT, accounting, and countless other sectors. Typically, consultants work on a project basis and are hired to investigate specific problems and find solutions.

Want to learn more about the different types of consultants? Read our blog on 8 types of consultancy.

What does a consultant do?

As a consultant, your daily tasks vary. The consultant’s job description includes a lot of client interaction with the intention of better understanding their needs. Additionally, you’re likely to be involved in tasks such as:

• Staying updated on the latest developments within your field and that of your clients.
• Maintaining relationship statuses and acquisitions in a CRM system.
• Drafting proposals and advisory reports for both corporate clients and individuals.
• Actively engaging with clients through various channels such as email, phone, and face-to-face meetings.
• Monitoring the achievement of KPIs and objectives.
• Collaborating with various professionals within the organization, regularly brainstorming and discussing to gain new insights.
• Giving presentations and workshops to advise and convince clients.

Still, in practice, the activities of a consultant often vary greatly depending on the discipline. For example, an IT consultant is much more involved in technical implementations and software development, while a management consultant focuses more on strategic planning and organisational changes.

How to become a consultant?

To become a consultant you often don’t need a specific education. The title ‘consultant’ is not legally protected, so technically anyone could call themselves a consultant. There also isn’t really a typical route. What’s most common is starting with education in a particular field. This can be very broad, but you often see that if, for example, you want to work as an ICT consultant, an IT-related study is the best choice. Acquiring knowledge within the field is essential! After your education, you start as a trainee at a consultancy firm, or you start in another position where you gain relevant experience. It’s also common for consultants to transition to freelancing.

What does a consultant earn?

The salary of a consultant depends greatly on factors such as experience, expertise, location, and the type of organization they work for. On average, a Dutch consultant earns €3,805 gross per month based on a 40-hour work week. However, the starting salary can vary significantly. Based on 10,306 salaries from Werkzoeken.nl, as a starting consultant, you can earn between €3,235 (low) and €4,380 (high).