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Category: Expertise strategy

Team extension: How to hire external consultants successfully

Last revision: 23 August 2022

Whether you are hiring a new external consultant for a few weeks or several years, onboarding your new specialist is a crucial part of the hiring process. It helps the consultant integrate into the company culture and role so that they can deliver from day one and you can maximize the value they create.

A good onboarding process willl help consultants feel appreciated, as well as set the tone for the entire project. Learn more in this article, where we share our tips on onboarding consultants successfully.

 

Well-defined requirements are key

 

Clarify your organisation's needs and why they emerged.

When you have a clear idea of your needs, it is much easier to communicate to your employees and the supplier of consultants. Put some effort into writing your request to the supplier of consultants to ensure that what you need is well-defined. Although it can seem like a banality, you should put some effort into this step and not treat it lightly.

 

Use the consulting partner actively in the process of writing your request.

The more the supplier knows about the project, the better they can find the right profile for your organisation. In the request, you should emphasise the description of the project and the context around it.

 

Specify what skills and area of expertise you want the consultant to have and the project's status and objectives.

The consulting partner is also concerned with making the project attractive to their consultant. A precise, detail-oriented request is the best prerequisite to getting your needed expertise.

Business woman and man in a meeting

The interview is an excellent way to both ask questions and let the candidate present their expertise.

Meet the consultant

The interview is integral to extending your project with a suitable consultant. With the interview, you can assess whether you have chemistry and if the consultant's skills match your expectations for the project. Although a consultant might seem the right choice on paper, physical "chemistry" can appear differently.

A big part of finding the right expert lies with the supplier. However, the interview is a way for you to reassure that you feel comfortable with the choice of consultant.

 

Include the stakeholders

During the interview, you get to describe the project in detail and introduce the key figures. Have relevant stakeholders present at the interview, but make sure to involve them early on when you are writing the request. They know your needs and what it will take to meet them. So make use of this knowledge from the beginning.

 

Onboarding with success

 

Be prepared

The consultant knows that clients expect them to deliver from day one and create success. Therefore, they are also used to hit the ground running. However, there are a few things you should still consider.

Make sure to have electronic access and equipment ready, know who will welcome the consultant upon arrival, and how the course of the first couple of days will be.

Also, give the consultant access on equal terms as the permanent staff so they can act as part of the team. Prepare the employees and organisation to provide the consultant with the best premises for a successful start.

Good preparation will benefit your organisation in the long run.

Evaluate

Part of a successful course with external consultants entails that the consultant finishes the project properly.

Therefore, you should set aside time for the consultant to hand over the project so that you are well-appointed to take over. It also includes ensuring everything has been documented and that there are no loose ends. Documentation allows you to assess the project's objectives and outcome.

 

Use the supplier

To best get through the process of hiring an external consultant, you should choose a consulting partner with knowledge of your organisation who understands where you stand and where you want to go.

Consider the supplier as a close partner and be transparent and open in the dialogue. Thus, you have the best starting point for getting the right expert for your organisation.

Jytte Raahede explaining her best advices to a colleague

Since 1989, emagine has helped companies across Europe onboard consultants and acted as a trusted advisor in many different business projects.

 

  Give the consultant access on equal terms as the permanent staff so they can act as part of the team. Prepare the employees and organisation to provide the consultant with the best premises for a successful start.

 

  Ready to power up?

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