A business consultant develops strategies to help businesses restructure their business, become more profitable, or find new ways to market the business.To become a business consultant, you need to get the proper education and experience along the way.You can even work for yourself if you have the entrepreneurial drive to start your own business.You have to be well-organized, explain things well, and be social in nature.
Step 1: Start in high school.
If your high school offers business and business management classes, you should take them.You can get experience by joining clubs with other like-minded students.The Future Business Leaders of America is a club that may have a chapter at your school.You can start your own chapter if it doesn't happen.The clubs that run from middle school to university are part of this organization.Take concurrent classes.You can take concurrent classes at a local community college if your school doesn't offer business classes.Discuss concurrent classes with your guidance counselor.
Step 2: You should get a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree is required to work as a business consultant.If you want to build a solid business as an independent consultant, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in business or business management.The local chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America is located at the university.If you join your local chapter, you can gain experience and meet other people who are interested in your field.Most management consulting firms do not need an IT consultant for employment.
Step 3: Decide on a specialty.
At some point, you will have to decide what you want to specialize in.It's up to you, but you can determine what kind of business consulting you run or what positions you get.Sales, management, administration, and human resources are some of the specialties you might consider.You could look at IT systems, accounting, finance, projects, and organizational and corporate.Some people only focus on marketing.Taking classes in the areas you're interested in will help determine your specialty.You can see what your passion is.
Step 4: Consider a master's degree.
A masters degree can help you stand out in your field.A master's degree in business, business administration, or a related field is a good idea.It will help you stand out so that you can be good at what you do.Try to find a program that allows you to specialize in that area.You can focus on a more general degree with a master's degree in very specialized areas.
Step 5: Skills can be gained on the job.
The field of consulting is very restrictive at the top levels, so if you want to work as a consultant after graduating school, you should look for a consulting internship.Having experience with a well-known employer is more important than your education or certifications.Find and apply for these positions with your school's career development office.If you plan to work for a major consulting firm that works with Fortune 500 companies, you should have this type of background.
Step 6: Look for the appropriate certification.
The certification in the business consultant field is based on your specialty.If you want to work with small businesses, you'll most likely get your certification from the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants.If you're going into the health field, you can get your certification through the National Society of Certified healthcare business consultants.It is possible to get a more general certification.A general business consultant certification is offered by the Institute of Certified Business Consultants.
Step 7: Work experience requirements
Before you can get certification, you need to have some experience in the field.The Institute of Certified Business Consultants requires that you have 3 years of experience before you can be certified.
Step 8: You should spend time training.
You will need to read or train for most certifications.You can take a review course before taking the exam.Often, this training or review is done at your own pace, as you work through materials to learn the information.
Step 9: Take an exam.
Certification requires that you take an exam at the end of the course.The exam is the most important part of the certification process.You may be required to visit a testing center for certification if you take the exam online.You will need to set aside time to take the exam if it takes more than half a day.The fee for the course and exam will be set by the organization.
Step 10: Go ahead and complete the application.
To become certified, you will need to fill out an application packet.Once you've met the basic requirements, you can request a packet or fill it out online.The organization will review it after you send it in.You have to complete the course and take the exam in a certain amount of time.The National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants wants you to finish the course and the exam in 90 days.
Step 11: Work on your problem-solving skills.
You need to find creative solutions to hard problems if you want to be a business consultant.Critical thinking and problem solving are needed to be effective.Learn the basics of critical thinking.It's important to learn to ask questions and not make assumptions about the problem.Ask why one solution has always been seen as the only solution.You could approach the problem in other ways.Evidence can be used.You need data and evidence to make a decision when you're thinking critically.It isn't just pulling a decision out of thin air.Critical thinking skills can be used in everyday life.Take time to evaluate the source of a news story.Look at the data.Is it being skewed to make a point?
Step 12: Communication skills can be developed.
Communication skills are essential in almost any field, but they are especially important in a field where you are selling yourself all the time to businesses.You can improve your oral communication skills by working in retail.Communication classes can be taken in college, such as speech, debate, or business writing.They can help you improve your communication skills.It's a good idea to work on your communication.Try to speak slowly and pay attention to how fast you are speaking.You should speak at an appropriate volume in any group you're in.If you don't know what you sound like, record yourself and listen to the recording.It's important to listen to any communication.When you're trying to sell yourself or your business, you want someone to feel important, so if you listen you can respond to what the person is actually saying.
Step 13: You should be a leader.
Even if you are a part of a larger consulting company, you will still be working on your own.When you enter a business, you will need to be a leader, as that business will be looking to you to improve the way it works.You can improve your leadership skills by running for leadership positions in college and high school.Go to student council.There is a leadership position in Future Business Leaders of America.Leadership skills will be taught by these positions.
Step 14: You need to work on your organizational skills.
You'll need to manage more than one business at the same time as a business consultant.You have to be very organized because you are working on several businesses.Tools at your disposal are one way to be organized.Email organization, online calendars, and other project management tools can help.Developing your own systems will help you organize your files in a way that you can always find them.
Step 15: You can work to a deadline.
Business consultants are often required to meet deadlines.You need to be able to work under stress and deliver the work when you say you're going to do it.College is a good place to start since you have to manage several classes at once and turn in your work on time.When you get out in the world, your job will often depend on you making deadlines.
Step 16: Prepare for long hours.
A third of management analysts work more than 40 hours a week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.When you're first starting out, you need to be prepared to put in long hours.Most of the time, this position requires you to travel because you won't just be working with businesses in your area.Most of your work is done at the client's place of business, so you need to travel to where they are.
Step 17: An internship is a good idea.
You can do an internship while in school.Many businesses and consulting companies offer internship programs to help people get their feet wet in the business.Businesses often contact local schools to inquire about internship opportunities, so check with your school to see if they know of any.On traditional job search websites, you can look for internships.
Step 18: Your network needs to be built.
Being a consultant is dependent on networking.It can help you get hired by a consulting company.It's necessary to build up a network of people who own their own business or are high up in their company, as those are the people that are likely to hire you for consulting.Local meet and greets are great for young entrepreneurs.The local chamber of commerce has meetings and social events that you should attend.You should strike up conversations when you meet people.Ask for their contact information when you click with someone.Follow up with them later.You can shoot them an email saying "Hey Josh, It was great to meet you the other day at that networking event."I was happy to find another Sooner fan.There aren't many of us.If you want to have drinks, call me.
Step 19: There are jobs in your area.
Entry-level jobs are available at business consulting firms in your area.Standard job search engines include Indeed, Jobs.com, Yahoo, and Monster.You can use job listings from clubs or national organizations.Don't forget to look for specific firms.They will first post on their sites.
Step 20: Apply for appropriate jobs.
Pick jobs that cover your interests.If you have a perfect fit for the company, it will be easier for you to sell your skills.When you're entering the field, you may need to take a position that's out of your skill set.Some business or management consultants start out in other areas of the company, such as in human resources or in management positions.It is part of the job interview process to show how your skills are a perfect fit for the position.Tailoring your resume and cover letter to the position you're applying for is one way to show how perfect you are.
Step 21: You can open a consulting business.
You can go into business for yourself.If you're a small business owner, you could even work out of your home, meeting with clients at their offices or at local coffee shops.If you don't have much cash flow early on, you may want to be working somewhere else.It can be difficult to open a consulting business if you don't have actual experience.Before you go out on your own, you may want to gain experience and a reputation.Writing a mission statement, making a marketing plan, and creating a business plan are all things you can do for someone else.Discuss the legal aspects of your business.When it comes to responsibilities for debt, you can open a limited liability business.You are personally responsible for any debt the company accrues if you set up a sole proprietorship.You should pay for the help.A lawyer can give you legal advice on how to set up your business.Hire a CPA if you don't understand business accounting.If you want to own your own consulting business, you need to check your local laws.
Step 22: Put in hours.
You will need to put in extra hours to meet the demands of a demanding job as a young consultant.You will be working in a high-stress situation where you have to be able to solve problems quickly and within a certain time frame.Since you can't ask for help from others in your company if you run into trouble, you're going to be under more pressure.Consultants bring in revenue from marketing and selling.To establish your billing rate, you need to estimate how many hours you will actually work in a year.Other consultants may have a higher ratio of work to marketing hours.Some clients will want to set unrealistic deadlines.If you're on your own, you need to be realistic with the client, as telling them you can't meet a deadline is not good for either of you.Ask about company policy for deadlines.It is possible that the company will back you up if they have a policy about how long a deadline can be.
Step 23: You can market yourself to organizations.
Whether for your own business or for a lager consulting company, it will be your job to bring in clients.You have to sell yourself and your skills to the business.That is often where your network comes in.The people in your network need your help to act as a catalyst for their company or to fix problems that arise.You can show them you can save money by selling yourself.They don't need to hire a full-time analyst if they bring you in when needed.You could be hired to help train employees or figure out why sales aren't going up.Make sure you have a marketing plan.If possible, you should have a website with testimonials.It doesn't hurt to cold call businesses.It is a good idea to greet the people who work at the businesses you visit and let them know your services are available.