Whether your company is large or small, sometimes an outside perspective from a human resource (HR) consultant is beneficial. Whether you hire a large firm or an independent consultant, you will have the advantage of experts who can assess your current HR processes for compliance. Consultants also can help navigate through delicate labor issues and the potential minefield of hiring, compensation and benefits. Here are three good reasons to hire an HR consultant:

1. Avoid potentially costly litigation by establishing best employment practices and training, and upgrading sensitive recruitment practices. Consultants can recruit and hire employees.
2. Help the company get through times of change by covering hiring and compensation, as well as investigating, documenting and dismissing employees.
3. Save money by contracting instead of employing a full-time HR executive.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify the services you want

To maximize your investment, decide what you want an HR consultant to accomplish before hiring one.

I recommend: Get an idea of what a consultant might do for you by reviewing these menus and samples of services from M2 and HROptions. Test your HR savvy with a free quiz.

Advertise for help

Use industry job banks to view resumes and list your contract or position.

I recommend: Post an ad by category and by city at iHireHR. You don't have to be a society member to use the career centers of ASTD, the American Society for Training and Development, or SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management.

Hire a large firm with multiple specialists

The bigger your company and the higher the stakes, the greater the odds that you'll need a major HR consulting player to help address your staffing challenges. Get recommendations from other executives or do your own investigation.

I recommend: Browse for large firm solutions at BestOfHR. Consultancy Precept offers a wide range of services and specialists. For a company with national service connections, go to Innovative Employee Solutions.

Hire a small firm for custom solutions

Small companies and independent consultants can offer flexibility in HR consulting that's especially helpful for smaller businesses.

I recommend: HResolved offers a subscription for a phone-in HR consultation service. Browse for small firms and independent consultants at All the Services. Use the Business.com directory to find specialists in recruiting, employee training or employee benefits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you need a concise report on the status of your company's HR processes with third-party neutrality, ask for an audit.
• •  Bring in an HR consultant for ongoing and regularly scheduled employee training in areas like sexual harassment or safety issues.
• •  An HR consultant can help you learn your areas of liability with contractors.
• •  Once you form a good working relationship with an HR consultant, you can contract with them for consistency.
• •  Look for multilingual consultants.
• •  Hire a union-savvy HR consultant and labor specialist for sensitive union issues.