19 Types of Consulting and How to Start Your Consulting Business in 2023

Thinking of starting a consulting job? There are countless types of consulting roles in dozens of different industries which, with the right experience, you could offer your expertise to!

Whether it’s a full-time job or a side hustle that generates some extra cash, consulting can be a gratifying and lucrative job. It allows you to:

We’ll go a little more into the pros and cons of being a consultant below. First, let’s identify what consultants really do and why they’re important.

What is consulting?

Consultants are people who specialize in helping clients resolve their company’s most urgent problems, issues, or projects. They work across a huge range of roles and industries and share their gift of analyzing information and identifying the best path for each company to take.

Consultants tend to be individuals with at least a few years of experience under their belts in a particular field or focus. It’s this insight that they then sell as a service to other companies.

Consultants may work with multiple companies at one time, only spending a few hours a week on each. Or, they might be brought in full-time for 6 months to solve a bigger problem. It all depends on the company and the issue it’s trying to tackle.

Overall, a consultant’s job is to solve the issue they’re being hired for, and then move on to the next company.

What are the pros and cons of becoming a consultant?

Like any career, consultant jobs come with highs and lows. Every business you work with will provide you with different, and often contrasting, experiences.

The pros

It’s challenging and rewarding

When you’re a consultant, no two days are the same. Every day may throw new challenges your way!

These challenges pay off, though. There’s nothing that really compares to dragging a business out of a slump and setting it up for the future. Plus, the success you have with each project contributes directly to your personal brand.

It’s fast-paced and you get a sense of freedom

Consultants are often hired in desperate times to rectify a serious situation. Working in such a fast-paced career is perfect for someone who enjoys a challenge, and a sense of freedom — traveling from one business to the next.

You’ll constantly be learning

Consultants are experts in their field. To maintain this badge, they must always be learning and adapting to new trends in their industry. This enables them to help businesses develop techniques to stay ahead of their competitors.

The cons

Income instability

There is a certain air of instability when working as a consultant. You never really know when or where your services are going to be required next. For people who rely on very steady income, being a consultant full-time may lead to some stressful days.

There’s constant change

You might be required to uproot and move across states, or even across the country at short notice. If you’ve got other responsibilities, like children, this might not be a realistic option for you.

Weighing the pros and cons should allow you to understand if a consulting role is best for you. If you’re not sure, you can always try it out as a side gig first!

19 types of consulting jobs

Below are 19 different types of consulting jobs, along with example roles in each category where applicable.

1. Strategy consulting
2. Marketing consulting
3. Operations consulting
4. Financial consulting
5. HR consulting
6. Compliance consulting
7. IT/ Technology consulting
8. Legal consultant 
9. Social media consultant
10. Sustainability consultant 
11. Sales consultant 
12. Wellness/Fitness consultant
13. Growth Marketing consultant
14. Career coaching consultancy 
15. PR consultancy
16. SEO consulting
17. Leadership consulting
18. Product development consulting
19. Design consultant

1. Strategy consulting

Starting with one of the broadest types of consulting, strategic consultants assist with the upper-level decision-making in a business.

This is definitely a big-picture-thinking type of job, generally advising at the highest level within a company (think C-Suite, Directors, and Senior Managers).

Since this is a broad role, it can fit in a variety of sectors. The more specific the role, the more the title will change. Some examples are:

• Financial Strategy Consultant
• Environmental Strategy Consultant
• Business Strategy Consultant

Experience needed: Depending on what task or issues a strategy consultant is tackling, the prerequisites will vary. Having an MBA or Bachelor of Commerce/Business is a great first step, along with 5+ years of strategy experience.

2. Marketing consulting

Marketing is a very broad field of work, making it a bountiful option for consultants. From email marketing to paid acquisition to content production, there are a ton of areas that marketing consultants can assist with. Overall, these consultants will develop new strategies to help companies better target or convert their key demographic.

For example, maybe a company needs to restructure its email onboarding campaigns to increase conversions. Or, it’s been running ads for months and hasn’t been able to reduce the Cost-Per-Click (CPC), creating a desperate need to rework ongoing ad campaigns. Below are a few examples of marketing consulting roles that may peak your interest:

• Email Marketing Consultant
• Paid Acquisition Consultant
• Content Marketing Consultant

Experience needed: Having a Bachelor in Marketing/Communications is the ideal first step in becoming a marketing consultant, but it often comes down to your work experience. In the world we live in today, your degree, diploma, or certificate is often outweighed by your experience and drive to learn. As long as you have the required prior marketing experience (with examples to point to), you’ll be set up for success.

3. Operations consulting

Another broad type of consulting is operations. An operational consultant uses data and research to help an organization streamline its operations, and/or enhance its operational performance.

For example, they could be tasked to help reduce costs, increase business efficiency, or improve company productivity. They may also be brought in to focus on the operations of individual teams. A few operations consulting roles are:

• Marketing Operations Consultant
• Sales Operations Consultant
• HR Operations Consultant

Experience needed: It’s critical for people in this line of consulting to have a proven record of improving operations within a company — ideally multiple companies. You must also be very comfortable with research and data analytics, so coming from an Economics, Finance, or Business background will likely be helpful.

4. Financial consulting

Helping businesses manage their finances more effectively is a highly sought out service. People in this role might be tasked with identifying cutbacks to improve profit, or simply protecting, restructuring, or maximizing a company’s bottom line.

Often, small businesses won’t have the need, or budget, to hire a full-time finance manager, and thus require a professional financial consultant to fill in the gap. On the flip side, larger corporations may get into a sticky situation and need outside finance advice to help set them on the right path.

A few specific financial consulting roles are:

• Economic Consultant
• Foreclosure Consultant
• Fundraising Consultant

Experience needed: Unlike some of the other roles mentioned above, anyone in financial consulting will need to have some sort of educational foundation, such as a Bachelor’s or Masters’s in Finance, or their CFA accreditation.

5. HR consulting

Human resources consultants support businesses in a number of ways including training and development, maintaining employee satisfaction, and conflict resolution techniques. Sometimes people in this line of consulting are also brought on to recruit or hire new employees.

Overall, this type of consultant is dealing with people — hence, “human” resources. A few examples of HR consulting roles are:

• Healthcare Management Consultant
• Compensation Consultant
• Recruitment Consultant

Experience needed: Depending on the type of HR consulting that a company is hiring for, the requirements of the candidate will vary. Not all individuals in this line of work will have an educational background in HR, but many end up taking courses and training to build up their knowledge and certifications.

6. Compliance consulting

Ensuring your business is adhering to federal and local laws and regulations is an important part of being a business owner. A wealth of knowledge of local and federal laws is a must for any compliance consultant.

Sure, it sounds a little boring, but it’s super important for businesses to be set up for success when it comes to complying with laws! A lawsuit is no laughing matter.

Experience needed: People who want to get into compliance consulting are usually required to have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business administration or law.

7. Technology / IT consulting

A technology consultant is hired to ensure a company’s software and technology aren’t hindering its productivity in any way. If it is, the consultant will recommend and implement changes to improve things. IT consultants could be hired for anything from software management to data analytics.

Individuals in these roles may also be responsible for ensuring devices and programs are secure so that private information cannot be hacked or breached. Some example IT consultant / Technology consultant roles are:

• Software Implementation Consultant
• Cyber Security Consultant
• Field Technical Consultant

Experience needed: Since IT and technology consulting is a technical field, those in this line of work have educational backgrounds in computer technology. Overall, these consultants need to have vast experience and knowledge of computers and software.

8. Legal consultant

Larger companies will usually have their own internal lawyers or a law firm on contract, while many medium and small businesses don’t have the need for someone full-time.
Whatever the reason, when a legal consultant is called in, it’s their job to ensure the company is aware of all legalities, and present a solution on how to move forward. It requires a lot of research, focus, and experience to provide the best information to their clients.

Experience needed: Due to the nature of this role, a person with a degree in business law is required to ensure their clients don’t fall foul of any laws surrounding their business.

9. Social media consultant

A part of the larger marketing category, social media consultants are a relatively new area of consultancy. A social media consultant ensures a business is doing all it can to drive potential customers to its website via its social media channels.

Unlike some of the other roles mentioned above, social media consultants are often self-made or have gained their experience from work.

Experience needed: Since the social media landscape—and the algorithms that define it— are constantly changing, someone looking to get into this line of consulting should always have their finger on the pulse of each platform. In other words, they need to keep informed of the newest updates and strategies.

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10. Sustainability consultant

These days, businesses must ensure they meet all manner of environmental regulations. A sustainability consultant might be someone with a Bachelor in Environmental Science who can help a business identify ways to reduce its carbon footprint and take on more sustainable practices.

Experience needed: Sustainability is a broad type of consulting that covers many niches. A sustainability consultant might have a background in environmental policy or law or a business education with a passion for eco-conscious business development.

11. Sales consultant

Sales consultants have a wide range of skills that help drive a business’s revenue. This can range from helping incentivize the sales team to improving the sales process on the customer’s side. A sales consultant is a relationship and negotiation expert.

Experience needed: Similar to marketing, securing a sales consultant role requires proven experience and records of surpassing sales targets, and maintaining large books of business. In this role, experience outweighs a formal sales education.

12. Wellness/Fitness consultant

A fitness consultant is so much more than a personal trainer. They often hold degrees in nutrition or sports science and can help their clients implement fitness programs on a company-wide or personal level.

Experience needed: Generally speaking, wellness consultants need to hold a certificate in their specialty —  be it nutrition, personal training, or health coaching.

13. Growth marketing consultant

A newer type of consulting that falls within the marketing umbrella is the growth marketing consultant. This is a relatively new term, but the premise is simple: these consultants help to grow and scale a company through “growth marketing” efforts.

Examples would be, finding and scaling new channels for acquisition, or finding ways to improve the overall marketing funnel to increase conversions.

Experience needed: Securing a growth marketing consultant role requires a proven record and at least 3+ years of experience in the field.

14. Career coaching consultancy

Sometimes people hit walls in their life and end up stuck in a job or career path they don’t want to be in. A career coaching consultant can help people identify their skills and what type of job they’d flourish in.

Experience needed: Personal development consultants work closely with their clients and help them develop strategies and techniques to improve aspects of their personal life.

15. PR consultancy

A PR consultant can help extend the reach of a company’s presence and improve the public’s view of a company. They help shape what people think about a business’s products or services, employees, or ownership.

PR consultants are usually tasked with writing and pitching press releases, building campaigns, working with media and influencer partners, conducting or setting up interviews, etc.

Experience needed: A degree or diploma in public relations is helpful, but public relations is largely about who you know. So, the stronger your network within a given industry, the more strings you have to pull in spreading awareness, and thus the more successful you’ll be as a PR consultant.

16. SEO Consulting

People who run SEO consultancies have an expert level of knowledge of search engines and how to help their clients’ websites and content rank. SEO consultants are often hired to help grow traffic, backlinks, and domain authority of a brand’s website. This is very important for businesses that operate in the digital sphere, as they work to beat out their competition.

Experience needed: To be an SEO consultant, you must have 5+ years of experience in digital marketing, strong data analysis skills, and be constantly up to date with the latest search engine algorithm changes.  

17. Leadership consulting

Leadership consultants will often act as mentors to executive team members looking to build their leadership skills. These consultants have a reputable background and years of experience that they bring to the table. They are experts in strategy, corporate communication, and running successful, high-growth teams. 

Experience needed: To be a leadership consultant, you’ll need to have a proven track record in your industry as well as a strong personal brand. Leverage platforms like Linkedin and Youtube to promote your services and discuss learnings from your own business experiences. 

18. Product development consulting

Consultants specializing in product development wear multiple hats. They are responsible for learning what your customers want and want improved. Product developers work between development teams, design, marketing, and leadership to create a streamlined approach to developing a new product. 

Experience needed: To be in product development you must have 8+ years of experience in product development, product marketing, and/or product design. As well as a rich portfolio of successful product launches. 

19. Design consultant

One of the more creative types of consulting, businesses will hire design consultants for a number of different things, including: 

• Interior Design Consultant
• Retail and Commercial Space Designer
• Graphic and Brand Design Consultant
• Real Estate Staging

Design consultants help to bring the aesthetic and personality of a brand to life. Whether responsible for the look of physical spaces, or digital ones, design consultants will have a deep understanding of color, shape, texture, visual hierarchy, and more. This work is important as it keeps a potential customer feeling inspired and excited by the atmosphere of a brand. 

Experience needed: Most design consultants will have an arts education background or relevant experience in the field. As a design consultant, it’s important to have a portfolio with examples of your work and style. 

What type of consultant should I be?

To decide what type of consulting to pursue, you should first identify what you’re best at and most interested in!

In order to be the best consultant ever, you’ll need to be adept at the following:

• Commercial awareness: To be a successful consultant, you need to know what’s commercially successful in your area of choice.
• Clear communication: You should be fluent in your niche’s jargon. If you’re unable to communicate with people at every level of the business using industry-specific terms, it’s not the right niche for you.
• Integration at all levels: A good consultant can offer support at every level of the business, so, in-depth knowledge of the industry is essential.

Ready to start your own consultancy career?

If you’ve read through this guide, and have found a type of consulting that fits, you need to start thinking about branding and setting up your business. It’s not official until you make it official!

Below are some next steps for launching your consulting business, with a few helpful links to get you started.