Consultant: job, training, salary
When a company needs to improve its strategy, manage change, reduce inefficiencies, or implement new technology, it needs a specialist. Consultants are here to provide critical insight, objective advice, and actionable recommendations that help companies solve problems and reach their goals faster.
This profession blends sharp analytical thinking with soft skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability. Whether working for a global consulting firm or as an independent professional, consultants apply their knowledge across industries, from software and finance to marketing and HR, offering customized services based on each client’s specific needs. The job demands a mastery of tools, data, and strategic thinking, all rooted in rigorous training, often backed by a graduate-level degree.
Learn everything from the meaning of “consulting” to the skills required, the types of consulting jobs available, and how to tailor your resume and application to stand out. If you’re ready to learn how to build a career with real impact, you’re in the right place.
What is a consultant?
A consultant is an expert in a specific field who offers advice to companies either occasionally or over the long term. Some consultants are generalists, intervening across a broader spectrum and often collaborating with other experts as part of a team.
Consultants analyze the situation they are called upon to address, make a diagnosis, and plan a strategy to solve identified problems or optimize procedures.
Here are some examples of consulting specializations:
- IT Consultant
- Information Systems Consultant
- Digital Transformation Consultant
- Management Consultant
- Marketing Consultant
- Communication Consultant
- Strategy Consultant
- Organizational Consultant
Consultants may work independently or as employees of a consulting firm. Independent consultants manage their own client portfolios, while those in consulting firms follow a defined hierarchy, gaining autonomy and responsibility as they progress.
What is the role of a consultant?
Hiring a consultant offers several advantages to companies:
- Access to expertise: A small business may need general advice to grow, while a multinational company might seek highly specialized consultants for specific challenges.
- Long-term cost savings: By improving internal processes and optimizing operations, consultants help companies save time and enhance both productivity and profitability.
- Competitive advantage: By implementing innovative solutions proposed by consultants, companies can stand out from the competition.
- Tailored solutions: Consultants design bespoke change management strategies adapted to each organization’s unique needs.
Key responsibilities of a consultant
A consultant’s missions are generally divided into three phases:
- Needs analysis: Listening to the client, conducting studies, observing procedures, and understanding operations.
- Diagnosis: Assessing feasibility and defining the financial and human resources required to improve company performance.
- Proposing and implementing strategic solutions: Deploying tailored methods and innovative techniques in collaboration with management, HR, and operational staff. Consultants also hold follow-up meetings to adjust their approach based on results and any challenges encountered.
Qualities and skills required to become a consultant
Soft skills required:
- Analytical thinking
- Precision and organization
- Communication skills
- Adaptability to diverse situations
- Client relationship management
- Resilience under pressure
- Flexibility: working hours often depend on project needs and may be extensive
- Mobility: frequent travel, including visits to client data rooms
- Persuasiveness
Technical skills vary by specialization, but often include:
- Proficiency with IT tools
- Project management
- Strong analytical capabilities
- Ability to develop actionable solutions
- Problem-solving skills
Education pathways to become a consultant
There are many higher education programs that lead to a consulting career, most commonly offered by business schools.
The more prestigious and recognized your degree is, the easier it will be to build a successful and dynamic career.
For example, the Master in Strategy & Consulting at emlyon business school prepares students to become experts in business strategy and consulting. This internationally recognized program immerses students in the global consulting ecosystem.
Accessible after a bachelor’s degree (equivalent to Bac+3 or Bac+4), this program confers a Master’s degree accredited by the French government. Taught in English on emlyon’s Paris campus and including an international experience, it offers a global perspective on the consulting industry.
Through this program, you’ll learn not only to develop operational strategies aligned with current market dynamics, but also to design and manage strategic projects while engaging human resources in innovative transformation processes.
Grounded in real-world application of academic knowledge, this course trains students to think and act effectively in complex environments. You’ll take part in business strategy and corporate strategy challenges and group projects, supported by seasoned professionals in the field.
From day one, you’ll receive support from emlyon’s academic and administrative teams and benefit from a network of 45,000 alumni in 130 countries and 2,200 partner companies, some of which recruit students even before graduation.
Joining emlyon means accessing a powerful network throughout your career. The school hosts events worldwide to help students and alumni stay connected and remain at the forefront of innovation.
Regularly ranked among the top 1% of business schools worldwide, emlyon holds the triple international accreditation: EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB, a testament to its global reputation.
How much does a consultant earn?
In France, a junior consultant earns an average gross salary of €38,000 per year, but this figure can be significantly higher in prestigious consulting firms rising to over €70,000, with annual increases.
Consultants working in firms often receive a performance-based variable bonus, which can be substantial.
With experience, consultants can rise through the ranks to become senior consultants, managers, principals, or partners. They may also choose to specialize in a niche sector or start their own independent consulting business.
There is no upper limit to how much a consultant can earn. Strategy consultants with top-tier expertise can earn millions of euros annually.
emlyon business school also has an incubator that supports students looking to launch their own consulting business, offering guidance in choosing a legal structure and setting up their practice.
Conclusion
Consulting offers diverse and evolving missions depending on the organizations involved. It can provide high earning potential depending on the consultant’s expertise and seniority. The role also allows consultants to see the tangible impact of their work on businesses an incredibly rewarding aspect of the job.
The consulting profession equips you with a broad set of transferable skills you can leverage throughout your international career.
To plan your path effectively, explore job descriptions, contact schools, and meet with program directors and student ambassadors from emlyon.