Corporate to Consulting: What’s REALLY Different for HR Professionals

The five biggest shifts when making the leap from corporate HR to independent consulting

Are you considering leaving corporate HR for a more flexible and rewarding career? You’re not alone. Many senior HR professionals are exploring how to become an HR consultant as a way to take control of their time, income, and career direction.

But while the rewards of HR consulting are significant, the shift from corporate to consulting is much bigger than simply changing job titles. It’s a complete change in mindset, skillset, and daily reality.

After supporting over 250 HR professionals in making this HR consulting career change, here are the five key differences you need to prepare for.

1. From Employee Mindset to Entrepreneur Mindset

In corporate HR, your responsibilities are defined by the organisation. In consulting, you define your role, goals, and client base.

• You are 100% accountable for your income.

• Every decision,from pricing your HR consulting services to choosing your clients,rests with you.

• You create your own career path (no HR job ladder to climb).

This is the core of a successful transition to HR consulting,embracing ownership of both your business and your results.

2. From Salary to Self-Generated Revenue

One of the biggest changes when leaving corporate HR is moving from a guaranteed monthly salary to generating your own income.

That means:

• Learning how to price HR consulting services for profit.

• Understanding cash flow management.

• Building multiple income streams such as project work, retainers, and online products.

With the right approach, you can create financial stability that’s not dependent on one employer.

3. From Specialised Role to Multi-Hat Operator

In corporate HR, you might specialise in L&D, employee relations, or recruitment. As an independent consultant, you’ll initially wear many hats:

• HR expert

• Marketer

• Salesperson

• Business owner

• Finance manager

Knowing enough to get started is key.and then outsourcing strategically as your HR consultancy grows.

4. From Office Politics to Client Politics

One reason HR professionals leave corporate life is to escape office politics. But as a consultant, you’ll still navigate human dynamics, just in a different way.

You’ll need to quickly understand client culture, manage multiple stakeholders, and deliver results while maintaining strong relationships.

5. From Fixed Hours to Flexible Freedom

One of the top reasons for a career change to HR consulting is flexibility. You choose your working hours, where you work, and how you balance life and business.

But flexibility comes with responsibility:

• Self-management to stay productive.

• Setting boundaries to avoid burnout.

• Planning for holidays without paid leave.

Final Thoughts: Is the Leap Right for You?

Making the leap from corporate HR to consulting is more than a career move,it’s a lifestyle change. It offers freedom, control, and financial potential, but also requires self-discipline, resilience, and business skills.

If you’re ready to explore your own corporate to consulting journey, my book Leap into HR Consulting® and our Corporate to Consulting Programme give you the tools, strategies, and confidence to succeed.

We also run regular webinars - How to Succeed as A Consultant and have a podcast .

We look forward to seeing you on your consulting journey,

Sarah & the team