How to hire a consulting specialist

How to hire a consulting specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step consulting specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a consulting specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new consulting specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a consulting specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The consulting specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect consulting specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of consulting specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Consulting Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Consulting Specialist	A Consulting Specialist provides expertise services in a wide range of business and service sectors, such as recruitment, finance, advertising, sales, human resources, and much more. They work with clients or customers who need their advice or assistance.	$28-58
   Operations Consultant	The duties of an operations consultant may vary in one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around working with clients to determine a business's strengths and weaknesses, identifying areas needing focus and development, and utilizing expertise in devising cost-effective strategies for improvement... Show more	$31-55
   Quality Consultant	A quality consultant specializes in developing and recommending strategies to optimize a company's production and quality assurance operations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around understanding the company's project goals and requirements, performing extensive research and analysis, gathering and analyzing product data, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current quality control procedures, and studying the clients' feedback... Show more	$29-49

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • UI
   • JavaScript
   • Infrastructure
   • Java
   • Project Management
   • Business Development
   • Strong Analytical
   • ERP
   • Visualization
   • Client Facing
   • SME
   • Technical Assistance
   • Web Services
   • CFR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Furnish key initiative in all parts of government and commercial contract/compliance and manage transportation, logistics and substance contracting exercises.
   • Monitor clients' implementation life cycle from test system to go live with OPENPRO ERP software.
   • Provide company wide ERP system support, including module development, changes, trouble shooting, and training.
   • Provide training and in-depth analysis on various parameters throughout the CRM tool base on the customers 'wants' and 'needs'.
   • Help to improve CRM functionality and testing methodology and process by actively participating in cross-functional teams.
   • Assist with information technology configuration and maintenance of PC hardware and peripherals, workstation operating systems, and applications.

   More consulting specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your consulting specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A consulting specialist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, consulting specialists' average salary in alabama is 37% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level consulting specialists earn 50% less than senior-level consulting specialists.
   • Certifications. A consulting specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a consulting specialist's salary.

   Average consulting specialist salary

   $86,125yearly

   $41.41 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level consulting specialist salary

   $60,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average consulting specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$98,924	$48
   2	District of Columbia	$95,250	$46
   3	California	$95,075	$46
   4	Washington	$94,746	$46
   5	Maryland	$94,695	$46
   6	Pennsylvania	$92,905	$45
   7	Georgia	$92,296	$44
   8	New York	$91,110	$44
   9	Texas	$88,240	$42
   10	Virginia	$85,778	$41
   11	Oregon	$84,653	$41
   12	Colorado	$84,133	$40
   13	Michigan	$83,720	$40
   14	Ohio	$83,311	$40
   15	Illinois	$82,698	$40
   16	New Jersey	$81,553	$39
   17	Minnesota	$81,089	$39
   18	Tennessee	$79,485	$38
   19	Missouri	$78,884	$38
   20	Indiana	$72,564	$35

   Average consulting specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Bain & Company	$104,585	$50.28
   2	Pacific Investment Management Company LLC	$103,403	$49.71	4
   3	RSM US	$98,733	$47.47	9
   4	Northern Trust	$98,319	$47.27	4
   5	Amazon	$96,558	$46.42	73
   6	Pwc	$94,131	$45.26	205
   7	Ernst & Young	$93,631	$45.01	214
   8	Amadeus North America, Inc.	$89,566	$43.06	2
   9	Infosys Public Service	$89,481	$43.02	112
   10	Deloitte	$89,314	$42.94	699
   11	DXC Technology	$88,620	$42.61	4
   12	Chubb	$87,704	$42.17	9
   13	HP	$86,280	$41.48	1
   14	B.S.I.	$85,554	$41.13	5
   15	Birlasoft	$85,416	$41.07
   16	Simeio	$84,780	$40.76
   17	Mark-It	$83,406	$40.10
   18	CBIZ	$82,987	$39.90	5
   19	MicroStrategy	$82,507	$39.67
   20	Teradata	$82,235	$39.54

4. Writing a consulting specialist job description

   A consulting specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a consulting specialist job description:

   Consulting specialist job description example

   Job DescriptionDescription Plate IQ helps fast growing businesses automate accounts payables on their terms. We simplify everything from invoice management to payments for both recurring and one-off expenses with a cloud-first approach that enables remote work. Plate IQ’s AP Automation and VendorPay Network helps businesses pay and get paid faster.
   
   At Plate IQ, passion generates excitement for what we do and how we do it. With passion at the heart of everything we do, we nurture ideas, inspire excellence, and find creative ways to eliminate obstacles for cultivating growth. The positive attitude with which we assist one another develops open, honest, and genuine connections. Above all, we celebrate and embrace our differences. We invest in each other because we win or lose as a team.
   Our values are at the center of our company and culture. At Plate IQ, we are: Customer-Centric, Results-Driven, Innovative, Passionate, and People-First.
   The Role
   
   We are looking for an energetic, highly motivated Product Consulting Specialist to engage with and support Plate IQ clients on a daily basis. You will engage with customers, providing email/phone/zoom support as appropriate to answer any client inquiries. You will interface with other Plate IQ teams including Account Management, Product, and Engineering.
   Key Responsibilities Use knowledge, research, judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving and professional discretion to answer customer's questions and solve issues Use software tools to research a client’s feedback, troubleshoot the circumstance, and ultimately support customers. Work directly with customer's administrators, answering questions regarding service start-up and usage Prioritize customers' support requests based on service priority and judgment, to provide timely and accurate support while representing the company in the most professional manner Provide recommendations on increasing efficiency and enhancing the customer experience Facilitate zoom meetings to troubleshoot any issues that require screen sharing Coordinate and execute technical tasks essential to the successful utilization of Security Mentor's services by customers Perform QA/QC testing and reporting of products and services
   Ingredients Experience with SaaS offerings and supporting client relationships Experience with customer service software (e.g. Freshdesk, Zendesk, Jira, etc.) Exposure to Fintech platforms and ERP support/implementation/Integration Demonstrated experience learning the ins and outs of a piece of software
   A Recipe For Total Rewards We care deeply about making Plate IQ an incredible place to work and invest a significant amount of time and energy into creating and maintaining a company culture that provides our team with a generous level of support whilst inspiring them to do their best work.
   
   The specific benefits/perks we offer are continually evolving, but currently include: Work from home in an energetic remote-first environment that supports flexible working hours and understands work-life balance. Competitive salary based on skills & experience. Medical, Dental, Vision and other Company-Subsidized Benefits for you and your family. Employer sponsored 401(k) with company match. Paid Time Off (and the encouragement to use it). Annual company retreats. Promote from within philosophy. Beyond the tangible benefits though: You will be part of a growing team, at a pinnacle moment of scale for the business, and experience the excitement of working in a startup where each action makes a huge difference. You will have the agency to solve difficult problems creatively, the freedom to explore work that inspires you, and infrastructure to ensure you're constantly challenged and developing. You will work with sharp, passionate teammates solving some of the most unique challenges and positioning our product as a premier finance automation solution. Our commitment to empowering a diverse and inclusive workforce, celebrating differences, and creating a safe space for our employees to bring their whole selves to work is second to none. We are transforming entire industries using innovative technology including Artificial Intelligence, Payment Tech, and Neural Networks. Our leaders lead with a people-first approach; inspiring excellence, nurturing ideas, and finding creative ways to eliminate obstacles for cultivating growth. We truly love what we do and who we do it with - and we think you will too!
   Plate IQ is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or marital status. If you are excited about the role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply. Nothing in this job posting should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.
   
   #LI-Remote

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find consulting specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any consulting specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level consulting specialists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your consulting specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit consulting specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting consulting specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new consulting specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the consulting specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new consulting specialist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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