How to Prepare for Your First Call With an HR Consultant

The first call with an HR consultant is usually free and short. It's also where you'll learn the most about whether a firm understands your situation. A little preparation helps you get clear answers and compare firms fairly.

Before the call: write one paragraph

Describe your company in four or five sentences: headcount, industry, locations, how HR is handled today, and what prompted you to reach out. Send the same paragraph to every firm you talk to. Matching inputs make quotes much easier to compare.

Have these details nearby

• Number of employees, and how many are full-time, part-time, or contractors
• Who runs payroll and benefits now (in-house, a payroll service, or a PEO)
• When your handbook was last updated
• Any active issue: a complaint, a planned termination, a new contract
• Your rough timeline and whether you want a project or ongoing help

Keep the first conversation general. You don't need to share employee names or confidential details until you've chosen a firm and agreed on confidentiality.

Be specific about the HR consulting services you want to discuss. A handbook project, an audit, and ongoing manager support need different scopes. Send the same short description to each firm so its answer is easier to compare.

Questions worth asking

1. What would you do first in a business like mine?
2. Who would I actually work with, and what's their background?
3. Have you worked with companies in my industry or of my size?
4. How do you price this kind of work: hourly, by project, or retainer?
5. What will I have in hand at the end of the first month?
6. When do you refer clients to an employment attorney?

After the call

Ask for a written proposal with scope, deliverables, timing, and pricing. Compare proposals side by side using the questions above, and ask at least one firm for a reference from a client of similar size.

When you're ready to build a shortlist, browse HR consulting firms that serve Huntsville.