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Passionate about startups and love working with them? Here is an exclusive guide on how to set up your startup consulting business. Read on!

Startup Consulting

Startup consulting is a service provided to small businesses and new startups by professionals. They advise businesses and companies on fast and efficient planning, developing, and launching of new products. In this blog, we will read more about startup consultant’s job profiles, qualifications, educational requirements, etc.

What is a startup consulting?

Startup consulting is a strategy for small business to hire a professional consultant who collects data, analyzes the gathered information, prepares reports, and provide recommendations based on the findings. These startup consultants are hired for the short term and focus on high-level strategy instead of executing tasks or managing team members directly.

Startup consultants have both expertise and experience to help businesses save money, time, and aggravation. Startups hire consultants to assist them during the early steps of the enterprise. Having expert advice onboard can significantly improve the chances of success by avoiding any costly mistakes.

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Top 15 startup consultants career paths

As startup consultants, professionals can pick different career paths based on their interests, knowledge, and skills. Certifications are particularly helpful in getting recognized as an expert in a particular path. Let us discuss the top 15 startup consulting career paths available to all professionals,

1. Accounting consulting startup services

A startup consultant, expert in managing and looking at finances, is needed by every company. Startups and small businesses can find managing finances and accounting to be daunting but it is one of the most important areas that must be set up accurately.

Handling finance in startup consulting is done by an individual who specializes in financial management and can come onboard to adjust budgets, set up payroll, or help with taxes.

2. Start-up consulting in IT

Another startup consulting path can be pursued in the field of IT. When a business is in its initial stage, it gets a little tricky to choose the right technology and getting the system set up efficiently. Small businesses hire consultants to help them choose proper technology and ensure that the systems are set up correctly and efficiently. Startup consultants can assist in identifying technological inefficiencies and provide solutions to improve.

3. Startup consulting firms in sales and marketing

If you’re interested or have expertise in sales and marketing, you can easily choose this career path in the field of startup consulting. Their job role includes coming up with a digital strategy, a marketing campaign, work on web development, or train staff members. If a company is facing problems with the performance of its sales team, startup consultants will observe, identify problems, strategize and implement a solution. 

4. Reporting entrepreneur consultant

Startup consultants can help companies in reporting by either gathering analytics and reports or by analyzing the existing reports and collected data. Consultants hired for this role are generally working on a long-term basis. Companies require the guidance of a startup consulting professional to understand gathered reports or analytics and help businesses take smart business decisions based on the understanding. Startups doing this themselves might end up misinterpreting the data or not being able to comprehend it.

5. Start-up services like change management 

Startup consultants can help small businesses implementing changes properly for better results and improved productivity. Businesses that require assistance with changes hire startup consulting services to assist them.

Professionals working in change management provide a systematic approach to deal with the transition or transformation of an organization’s goals, processes, or technologies. The purpose behind change management is to control change and help people adapt to change in an efficient and seamless manner.

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6. Small business startup consulting

Small business startup consulting professionals give advice on business strategy, development, and problem-solving skills. Their role is to come up with resources and initiate a plan to improve an organization’s performance and productivity.

Startup consultants can specialize in certain areas such as accounting, operations, human resources, management, marketing, or public relations. Small business consultants are hired by small businesses on a contract basis for their expertise, skills, experience, and industry knowledge.

7. Operational Improvements as a new business consultant

New business consultants are consultants who help their clients through statistics, strategy, and analytics. Clients get professional startup consultants onboard to plan critical steps for their startup. Startup consulting services help outline and implement operational improvements.

Operational improvements are a fundamental requirement for any organization that wishes to succeed in today’s fast-paced environment. It helps businesses stay relevant and avoid falling behind in these changing and challenging times.

8. Project management consulting startup

One of the major areas where companies need the help of an external consultant is for project management. Startup consultants help companies when they have to launch a new project but none of the employees from their team has experience with project management. Small businesses either hire startup consulting to work on a contract basis or train their employees on how to handle the project. They also help improve the organization’s project management.

9. Forecasting new business consultants

When a small business is starting out, there have to be projections and forecasts to comprehend how things will go in the near and distant future. However, it’s not easy for a small business to forecast with limited time, resources, or personnel to help them gather data and analyze it. In such cases, companies hire external startup consultants who will work with the company and put together proper projections.

10. Strategic planning business startup services

The main role of startup consultants is to identify issues, strategically plan solutions, and aid in their implementation. At the core, startup consulting is about providing creative business solutions and help small businesses work more efficiently.

They help plan strategic messaging and launches to ensure profitability and success. Businesses hire startup consultants either on a contract basis or onboard their services full-time to handle services that they do not fit to handle themselves.

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How to become a business startup consultant?

Business startup consultants are recognized as experts who advise small businesses in their nascent stage. They are experienced in helping startups achieve success by reducing time and cutting costs. Here are the steps to launch a career in the field of startup consulting,

1. Attend college to join consulting startups

At least a bachelor’s degree in business, business management, or other relevant fields is required to work in the startup consulting field. To gain more knowledge and an edge over other candidates, professionals can get a master’s degree as well. Few consulting firms prefer a master’s degree.

2. Gain experience by startup consulting jobs

To earn the trust of your business partners, you will need to showcase some experience in the startup consulting field. Getting an internship with consulting firms will help you get the required skills and tools to start working on your own as a business startup consultant. 

3. Become certified as start-up business consultants

Certification is not mandatory but is definitely good to have on top of the degree. Get certification in the industry in which you are interested in working. Getting certified helps gain credibility as a consultant. Make sure that the certification is accepted globally.

4. Apply for open positions in start-up consulting firms

After successfully completing your education, attaining certifications relevant to your field, and gaining certifications, you have developed the required skills for becoming a startup business consultant. It’s time to start applying for open positions in startup consulting firms or work as an independent consultant.

5. Develop skills as a startup consultant

There are certain skills that are essential to work as a consultant such as good communications skills, presentation skills, analytical skills, consulting skills, problem-solving, teamwork skills, etc. Work on developing these skills while working as an intern or during your entry-level job position. 

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Qualifications to become a startup consultant

While getting a certification is not a requirement, it definitely helps to set you apart from the rest. Certifications will add to your profile and will help clients gain confidence in your skills and expertise. Here are some of the certifications that can be pursued to have a career in startup consulting,

1. Institute of Management Consultants USA’s (IMCUSA) Certified Management Consultant – Preeminent professional designation for management consulting
2. Institute of Certified Business Consultants’ Certified Business Consultant – A diploma in Business Administration course is a pre-requisite
3. The Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants – The AASBC is the world’s leading training certification and education program for small business and SME consultants.
4. American Institute for Business Management and Communication’s Certified Business Consultant – Get certified by one of the most renowned institutes in business management and communications in the United States.
5. Institute of Financial Consultants’ Certified Financial Consultant – A 100% online course

Are you passionate about HR consulting? Here is a comprehensive guide if you aspire to become an HR consultant. Read on!

HR Consulting

HR consulting or HR advisory services refer to controlling and managing the human capital of an organization and its related functions. HR management consulting serves as the supporting framework for a company, entrusted upon an HR consultant.

How to become an HR consultant or how to start an HR consulting business. In this article, we will discuss in detail what does an HR consultant does, what is HR consulting, the types of human resources consulting services, and details on human resource consultant salary.

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What is HR consulting?

HR consulting comprises of mainly 8 disciplines,

1. Hiring and Onboarding
2. Benefits and Compensation
3. Organisational Change Management
4. Payroll Management
5. Talent Management
6. Learning & Development
7. Absence Management
8. HR Analytics

The other important functions of an HR consultant include,

1. Creating an organizational design
2. Defining a Corporate culture
3. Designing the HR-related strategies
4. Retaining and developing the talented workforce
5. Coaching and mentoring employees
6. Assist in driving the changes in the organization
7. Control the bonus schemes and payroll benefits
8. Define the ways of working of an organization

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HR consultant job description

What is a human resource consultant job duties and responsibilities? An HR consultant job description includes,

1. Leading and managing human capital management programs and projects
2. Collect data and conduct surveys for better employee management
3. Advise the HR personnel of a company on smooth conduct of daily issues
4. Help in formulating HR strategies, plans, and techniques
5. Aid in hiring and recruiting of freshers and experienced personnel
6. Create plans and training guides for organization change management and training
7. Introduce innovative and trending methodologies and techniques in HR management and execution
8. Create learning and development plans and strategies for competency management and up-gradation of employees
9. Ensure compliance with the HR standards and policies
10. Assists in percolation of the HR rules and norms within the organization
11. Analyze and select the HR technologies and systems that are efficient and effective for the organization

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Top 15 HR consulting services suited for you

In this section, we will discuss the top HR consulting services for your reference and quick guidance. The services are the core activities of an HR consultant and earn a good amount of salary and recognition. You need to possess the desired qualifications and experience to pursue them.

1. Performance management human resources consulting job

Performance management human resources consulting job revolves around HR consulting services related to performance evaluation, scoring, and rating. A set of goals are assigned to the employees of an organization and weightage is assigned to each. The human resources management consultant determines the list of goals and their applicability.

2. HR consultants for employee engagement

HR consultants for employee engagement are entrusted with the work of creating an employee handbook containing the company policies and regulations. They ensure the right information is percolated among the employees and answer queries. The human resource management consultants connect with the employees for their feedback and suggestions.

3. HR consultancy for audit and compliance

Conducting audits both internal and external to ensure adherence to the compliance mandates is one of the HR consultancy services. Companies outsource the work to HR consulting companies specializing in executing audit functions. They aid companies in complying with the mandatory HR regulations.

4. Human resources consultant for compensation strategy and planning

Compensation Strategy and planning is one of the key HR consulting services of a human resources consultant. There are specialized human resource consulting firms that help in designing the compensation structure of a company. The simple meaning is to create the different heads in a pay structure and assign the different pay components to it.

5. Human resource management consultant for leave management

Human resources management consultant or human resource firms specializing in leave management, either utilize a tool, software or record manually in an excel sheet. They maintain the list of leaves in a company, the employees planned, sick, casual, and unplanned leaves.

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6. Learning and Development HR consultancy services

Learning and development are some of the vital HR consultancy services, often outsourced to human resource consulting companies. Creating training programs, listing learning courses, and arranging training sessions form a part of the duties of such an HR consultant. Certifications and assessments are also arranged by the HR consulting company.

7. Human resource firm for employee grievances management

Employee grievances management is a niche task of a human resource firm. Analyzing and sorting the grievances according to the priority and ensuring resolution are the essential duties undertaken by the human resource consulting company.

8. Talent hunt human capital consulting firms

Talent hunt is a key activity of many human capital consulting firms. Collecting the requirements from different companies and matching the skills to the potential job seekers form the core activity of such human resources consulting group.

9. Recruitment HR firm

Hiring and recruitment potential employees for a company is a common role performed by an HR firm or a human resources consulting company. The company often lists the jobs in their external job portals, sends emails, or connects job seekers individually. In such a way, they match the candidates with the job roles.

10. Payroll management HR consulting firms

Payroll management is one of the crucial duties outsourced to HR consulting firms. Such employee consulting firms prepare the payroll, considering the different pay elements. They calculate the basic, permanent, and variable elements of a pay structure and run the payroll tasks.

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How to become an HR consultant?

Now let’s learn about the steps on how to become an HR consultant. In the next subsections, we will focus on the academic and interpersonal skills that help in starting an HR consulting business or join any human resource consultancy group; a ready reckoner for an HR consultant.

1. Academic qualifications required for a human resource consultant

A human resource consultant must mandatorily obtain the following educational degrees,

1. Bachelor’s in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources
2. Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources. Not mandatory but you can set yourself ahead in the hiring market

2. Search for human resource consulting jobs

Search for human resources consulting jobs in the various job portals and recruitment sites. If you want to work from home in a remote mode or desire to stay nearby to your residence, then you can search for HR Consulting Firms near me in the portals and apply accordingly.

3. Obtain certifications related to human resource consulting

Several universities offer certifications in human resource consulting services. Enroll in the courses and obtain them for acquiring more knowledge and experience. The learning courses are focused on specific HR topics and hence are relevant while joining a human resource consulting group.

4. Understand the human resources consultant salary

You should be aware of the human resources consultant salary in different cities of the US. It will help you to negotiate while being recruited and hired in hr consulting firms NYC, Chicago, Houston, and other cities. The salary may vary depending on the city’s economic status.

5. Gain experience as human resource management consultants

Join in an internship program or a small human resources consultants inc to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge on the job. Human resource management consultants with an initial mention of experience in their CV stand at a better chance for recruitment.

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Human resources coaching and certification

The best online human resources coaching and certification programs designed for an HR consultant are,

1. Introduction to Human Resources for US Small Business Administration – a 30-minute duration course for learning the basics of HR and the HR functions in a small business
2. Oxford Home Study College courses on Human Resources – 20-hour course on HR management, fundamentals of recruiting and hiring, and staff development and training
3. Villanova University – conducts an 18-month long study curriculum and grants certificate on HR Management
4. The University of Virginia – offers 5 core classes on HR management and 2 elective classes from where you need to choose one of them
5. Golden Gate University – provides 15 units of hybrid courses on HR management.

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Human resources consultant fees

The human resources consultant fees per hour vary between USD 33 and USD 42 with the average being USD 37 per hour. The variation may depend on several factors – experience, certification, educational qualification, and skills.

1. In New York, the average salary of an HR consultant is almost USD 93K per annum
2. In Chicago, the average salary of human resource consultants is almost USD 81K per annum
3. In San Francisco, the average salary of HR contractors is almost USD 83K per annum
4. In Phoenix, the average salary of a freelance HR consultant is almost USD 59K per annum
5. In Houston, the average salary of human resources management consultants is almost USD 80K per annum

Are you a real estate pro and passionate about building a business out of it? Here is the first step in getting you started as a real estate consultant. Read on!

Real Estate Consultant

A real estate consultant is an expert who provides advice and recommendations to clients who are looking to purchase a new property or develop a property. They do extensive research in order to guide their clients. In this blog, we have discussed more about how to become a real estate consultant.

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What is real-estate consulting?

Real-estate consulting is a service provided by professionals to give advice to people or companies that are interested in investing in some property. Real estate consultants help clients decide whether adding a real estate asset or selling a real estate property is beneficial from a financial standpoint. 

What is a real estate consultant?

What is a real estate consultant? A real estate consultant is a professional who specializes in helping buyers and sellers make informed decisions related to their real estate transactions. They help conduct financial analysis for a particular property and assist with strategic real estate planning.

Real estate consultant job description

Real estate consultant job description includes the following roles, responsibilities, and duties,

1. Identifying and scouting investors with property consultant needs
2. Good verbal and written communication skills to keep in touch with clients via calls and emails
3. Preparing and presenting business proposals in front of clients to secure a consulting deal 
4. Advertising, marketing, and promoting available properties to attract potential clients
5. Carrying out thorough research and analysis of the property to identify areas with increasing demand and proficiency
6. Collaborating with legal counsels to prepare sales and lease documents
7. Overseeing and handling negotiations on behalf of clients

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Top 15 real estate advisory small businesses you can start

Being a real estate agent opens doors in multiple fields. There are different small businesses that can be started in this field. Let us look at the top 15 real estate advisory small businesses you can start as a real estate consultant,

1. Property consultant

As a property consultant, the property investment professional is responsible for helping investors find their dream investment. They are particularly experienced at showing buyers and investors the best property type based on their budget and interest. The important thing to note is that property consultant majorly relies on commission pay.

2. Real estate consultants

A real estate consultant is a professional who provides financial and specialized investment advice to clients who are looking to buy, sell, or invest in a property. They work closely throughout the process of buying and selling and handle legal work on behalf of the client.

3. Leasing consultant – real estate consulting jobs

A leasing consultant is responsible for meeting with the potential renters and showing them around the available properties as per their budget and needs. The real estate consultant will also explain the lease terms and process rental applications. They also assist in processing lease renewals.

4. Real estate development consultants

Real estate development consultants offer their specialized knowledge, experience, and skills to help owners/investors manage every phase of the development process. They often have specialization in the development of certain asset types such as hotels, apartments, etc. Investors can rely on them from project conception through closeout.

5. Property management consultants

Property management consultant duties and responsibilities entail developing and sustaining good working relationships with legal counsel and other property consultants. They keep themselves update with the latest market trends and conditions to guide their clients effectively. Real estate consultants in this area inspect properties with clients and conduct surveys.

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6. Real estate investment consultant

The main role of a real estate investment consultant is to ensure that their clients are meeting their property-related requirements. They have an in-depth knowledge of the real estate industry and with their market insight provide the best advice to their customers looking to invest in private or commercial properties.

7. Commercial real estate consultant

Commercial real estate consultants are professionals who play the role of a middleman between buyers and sellers of commercial real estate. A commercial real estate consultant can either work individually, or open a small firm of their own, or as a member of a commercial real estate firm.

8. Real estate advisory services

A real estate advisor’s primary job involves evaluating real estate, short and long-term goals, and provide options for the best use of any property. They help their clients maximize their real estate investments. Real estate advisors provide guidance in developing, building, or renovating residential and commercial properties.

9. Real estate consultant and financial advisor

Real estate consultants and financial advisors are required to carry out research and analysis on the latest market trends. Based on the available data, they predict the future of the real estate market. Based on these predictions, companies make investments and sales in real estate.

10. Corporate real estate advisory

Corporate real estate comprises land and buildings owned or leased by companies not primarily in the real estate business. They are real estate consultants who provide commercial real estate services for commercial applications. They provide comprehensive services including sales contracts, lease negotiations, strategic planning, etc.

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How to become a real estate consultant?

Becoming a real estate consultant doesn’t require any special educational requirements. However, having an advanced degree and a real estate license increases your chances of having a successful career in this field. Here are few steps that can help you become a real estate consultant,

1. Choose your real estate consultation specialty

There are different types of real estate consulting areas that interested personnel can opt for: property management, consulting services, residential, and investors. Research different consulting areas and determine your field of interest, so that you have a concrete direction to pursue your career.

2. Acquire real estate consultant license

Passing a state licensing exam to attain a real estate license is a fail-proof way of ensuring success in this field. Additionally, an associate broker’s license will help real estate agents to work as both real estate agents and sales agents. Knowing industry-specific terminology helps offer valuable advice to clients. 

3. Get certified in real estate consulting services

Getting certification from the International Association of Real Estate Consultants or obtaining membership of the National Association of Realtors can contribute immensely towards a successful career in the field of real estate. It gives an edge to your career and helps you stand ahead of the competitors.

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Real estate consultant fees in the US

Real estate consultants usually work either individually or associated with a firm. Real estate consultants get paid a percentage of commission which is usually 6% of the real estate sale price. Here are the different ways in which a real estate consultant gets paid,

1. A property management consultant gets 5% to 6% commission

The real estate consultants are usually paid after the deal is closed. The standard commission for a real estate transaction is 5% to 6% of the property’s sale price. The commission pay is split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent equally.

2. Real estate consultant jobs hourly pay

The average hourly wage of a real estate consultant in the U.S is $30. The hourly salary range typically falls between $26 to $35. The hourly pay rate highly depends on factors such as relevant experience acquired as a real estate agent, education, certification, additional skills.

3. Real estate advisory firm pays fixed salary

It is usually common for real estate consultants to get a percentage of the commission but there are cases when real estate are employed by a broker and are given a fixed salary. On top of the salary, the bonus is paid based on customer satisfaction.

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Top 5 real estate advisory firms in the US

Real estate advisory firms provide services for investors, owners, and tenants by combing specialized expertise, local market insight, and the right resources. While there are hundreds of real estate advisory firms in the U.S., we have compiled a list of top 5 advisor firms,

1. JLL – real estate consulting firms

JLL, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading professional services firm. This Fortune 500 company, specializes in real estate and investment management. They provide integrated commercial real estate services based on sound market research and relevant knowledge. JLL operates in over 80 countries with nearly 300 corporate offices.

2. Savills – property consulting group

Savills, an FTSE 250 company headquartered in London, is a global real estate provider with a network of more than 35,000 people across several different continents. It advises corporates, institutions, and private clients who are seeking to acquire, lease or develop real estate properties. 

3. Colliers International – property management consulting

Colliers International Group Inc. is a leading global real estate services company operating in over 68 countries all over the world. Colliers real estate consultants provide a full range of services to real estate buyers and sellers located across the world. They provided strategic advice and execution.

4. HFF – real estate advisory firms

HFF is an experienced real estate advisor in the public-to-private domain and has actively participated in the largest of such transactions over the past several years. They have an exhaustive business range covering: debt placement, investment advisory, funds marketing, equity placement, loan sales, loan servicing, etc.

5. Cushman & Wakefield – real estate operator

Cushman & Wakefield is a global real estate services firm that has been delivering exceptional value for real estate buyers and sellers. It is amongst the largest commercial property management companies worldwide with 51,000 employees in 400 offices located across 70 countries all over the world.

Aspiring to be an educational consultant? Here is a quick guide of 5 steps to set up an educational consulting business. Read on!

Educational Consultant

Technology is rapidly evolving, and it is changing the way we learn. An education consultant helps prepares students for challenges. They advise various stakeholders on the latest education innovation and technologies available. In this blog, we attempt to answer some of the common questions. What is an education consultant? What does an educational consultant do? How much does an educational consultant make?

What is education consulting?

Education consulting is a service provided to parents or students or educational institutions. They can be advisors, counselors, admission consultants, vocational trainers. They may have a background in teaching or school administration. There are two professional organizations for education consulting,

1. The Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
2. Independent Educational Consultants Association

Educational consultant job description

The role of an education consultant can vary. It may include analyzing and improving existing curricula, admin processes, teaching methods. Education consultant job description is as follows,

1. Analyze education standards, classroom policies, and grades, and test scores.
2. Help put in place changes in the curriculum.
3. Take feedback from students about curriculum changes.
4. Give feedback on the effectiveness of the current education system.
5. Recommend different educational material.
6. Analyze and suggest ways to reduce student drop–out rates.
7. Supervise online education.
8. Visit classrooms to observe lessons and provide feedback.
9. Help educators handle talented students and those who need extra attention.
10. Guide college selection and application
11. Meet administrators, school boards, and teachers to discuss budgets and programs.

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Top 15 education consultancy services suited for you

There are many types of education consultancy services you can provide. Several education consultants operate as freelancers. Before you start your consultancy, you need clear short and long-term goals. You need to multi-task and network. You should stay up-to-date about the latest practices.

1. Education consultant jobs

Education consultant jobs are about creating a positive learning environment for students. They plan educational programs and products at school to ensure a positive outcome. They work to improve the learning environment in the school. Education consultants observe and evaluate the emotional, behavioral, and learning aspects of students while designing educational programs. They provide support to teachers.

2. Gifted teaching consultant jobs

Gifted teaching consultant jobs identify gifted students. The consultant ensures the student gets work geared towards their strength. The student gets to work with their intellectual peers. They provide guidance and information about opportunities beyond school hours. Prepare, develop and submit statutory records and data.

3. Online training work from home education consultant jobs

Work from home education consultant jobs can be online training courses. They help recruit prospective students to enroll in the program. The firm expects the consultant to meet recruitment goals. They help current and potential students. They have a thorough knowledge of course content.

4. Teaching consultant

A teaching consultant trains and advises teachers and faculty, on the latest technologies and classroom policies. They recommend different educational material. The teaching consultant helps to put in place curriculum changes. They supervise online education. They meet teachers and administrators to discuss programs and budgets.

5. Higher education consulting jobs

Higher education consulting jobs involve working with high school student and their families. They help them transition from high school to universities, colleges, or vocational school. They give inputs matching students to the best opportunities to meet their needs. They help students and their families with the college admission and application process.

6. Special educational consultant jobs

Special educational consultant jobs impact the equality and discipline of students with disabilities. The educational consultant oversees and evaluates programs for students with disabilities. They give their inputs to the school district and department about special education services and programs required. They identify trends and provide active support.

7. Schools consultants

Schools hire school consultants to address a specific problem. They help schools overhaul programs and policies. Their initiatives can help turnaround school performance and assist in managing school charters. School consultants can provide solutions to address problems like school drop-out rates. They can help develop school curriculum including developing special-ed programs.

8. Teacher consultant

A teacher consultant works with teachers from pre-school through high school to develop new learning methods for students. They help in daily activities and work with teachers, students, and parents. They need prior teaching experience to work efficiently. They try to build a positive relationship with parents to learn more about each child. They may provide support to the school district.

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9. Higher Ed consulting jobs

Higher Ed consulting jobs help bring the focus back on the schools’ core mission. They examine school operations and organizations to determine redundancies that are diverting resources. They help to rationalize the school’s organizational structure. They help increase faculty diversity and student graduation rates. Higher Ed consultants work to engage faculty in online learning.

10. Education consultant

Education consultants help develop, coordinate, and implement the curriculum. They advise schools on how to improve graduation rates. They help improve the school’s performance. The study plans and curriculum and make plans to improve them. They ensure the curriculum meets state and federal standards. They ensure standardization across classrooms.

11. Curriculum consultants

Curriculum consultants are responsible for revising and developing curriculum guidelines. They interpret the present curriculum and help schools frame programs to meet requirements. They develop a professional leadership program for teachers. Curriculum consultants design surveys to gauge the effectiveness of the program. They prepare curriculum guidelines and program material. They address concerns about the curriculum.

12. University consultant

A university consultant help students get accepted into universities of their choice. They work with students to set goals. They help students set realistic goals. They advise students on academic and extracurricular choices. University consultants are well versed in schools, programs, and admission procedures. Parents hire them to improve the chances of enrolling their child into their preferred university.

13. Educational consultant jobs

The job description of an education consultant can vary depending on the profile. They help students and parents select the best school for their needs. Guide international students. They work with teachers and school administrators to improve. They develop better teaching and learning material. They plan and organize teacher training programs.

14. Overseas student consultant

Overseas student consultant helps students interested in going overseas for higher education. They guide students about universities and courses. Overseas student consultants study student profiles. They provide them with the best program possible. They assist students in the application process and the paperwork involved. They assist students with educational loans and VISA processing.

15. Teacher consulting job

Teacher consulting job profile is helping teachers improve. They observe teachers while they are teaching. They provide inputs to improve teaching methods and increase student interaction. They work with teachers to improve the present curriculum. They teach the latest instructional techniques. Teacher consultants provide training for school staff.

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How to become an independent educational consultant?

Educational consulting jobs are meaningful, especially if you are passionate about improving education. You need strong communication and interpersonal skills to become a successful educational consultant. You will need to develop analytical and diagnostic skills. In this section, we delve into how to become an independent educational consultant.

1. Qualification required for becoming an educational consultant

You need to complete your graduation to become an education consultant. It is helpful if your degree is in a relevant field like education or cognitive science. You need to complete a student-teaching semester as part of your education requirements. Some learning consultant job descriptions, specify candidates with masters or Ph.D. degrees in education.

2. Get licensed to offer educational consulting services

Before you offer educational consulting services, you need a license. The requirements for certification can defer depending on the school offering the certification. You will need to get a teaching license. Teaching license requirements vary by state. After some experience, you can opt for certification from professional organizations. Read the eligibility criteria to make sure you qualify.

3. Choose specialization in educational consulting

There are different specializations you can consider. You can help high school students transition into college, or help them during the college selection and admission process, or get financial aid. Some educational consultants are working for school districts or colleges. You need to be up to date with the latest educational tools.

4. Educational consultants need experience working in an education setting

Successful educational consultants have experience in an educational setting. You need at least three years of teaching experience. This can be private or public school, or with special-Ed students. You can teach at a college or university. Being an ESL instructor, lecturer, or pre-school teacher will also be useful.

5. Look for education consulting jobs

Start looking for education consulting jobs posting online. There are several job postings for education consultants like jobs in school districts, teacher-consultant jobs, work home education consultant jobs or online education consultant jobs. Read the job requirements before applying. Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your skill. During your interview show, you have relevant job and educational experience.

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Educational consultant certification

Educational consultant certification is vital to prove your skill and competence. Some certification programs are extension departments of a 4-year university program. Programs offered by some universities are,

1. UCLA Extension educational consultant certification.
2. UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers Independent Educational Certification programs.
3. Berkeley Extension Certificate Program in College Admissions and Career Planning

Certifications offered by education consultant associations like,

1. American Institute for Certified Educational Planners
2. Higher Education Consultant Association
3. Independent Educational Consultant Association
4. Uniagents Education Consultant Certification

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Educational consultant salary in the US

The average education consultant salary in the US is $61,592 per year. It can start at $41,000 and go up to $90,000.

1. Government education consultant’s salary is $76,970/year.
2. Higher education consultant salary (local, state, and private) is $69,990/year.
3. Post-secondary schools education consultant salary is $58,420/year.
4. Education support and private organization $62,530/year.

The salary of an education consultant depends on the job profile, experience, and location.

1. Salary of education consultants Chicago $78,611/year
2. Salary for education consulting jobs NYC $61,353/year
3. Salary for education consultant jobs NJ $113,901/year
4. Salary for education consulting firms DC $79616/year

An independent consultant career is an appropriate one for those who aspire to be flexible with their work. Here is a guide to set up your independent consulting firm. Read on!

Independent Consultant

An independent consultant is a person who is no employed with a particular company or enterprise. He or she is a professional providing service on a contractual basis. The client can be either a company or any individual entrepreneurs. In this article, we will discuss how to become a consultant in your own field, consultant duties, and independent consultant opportunities.

What is an independent consultant?

An independent consultant is an expert in a particular field and guides clients. A consultant’s duties involve resolving any issues of clients in exchange for a contractual agreement for compensation. He or she is not affiliated with any company; works independently after signing an independent consultant contract.

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Consultant vs Contractor

In this section, we will discuss the difference between consultant and contractor. Before we start discussing Consultant vs Contractor, it is important to understand that both the roles are not employees of a company.

They work independently offering services to their clients; a commonality to know while comparing contractor vs consultant. An independent consultant is an expert on a particular domain, product, or technology. The person assesses and evaluates the need of customers and provides guidance.

Who is a contractor? A contractor may assess the needs of a customer, suggest the actions be taken, and execute the action. In the majority of the circumstances, the contractor follows the plans set forth by customers; a key difference in consulting vs contracting.

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Top 15 independent consultant businesses one can start

In this section, we will discuss the top independent consultant businesses or the independent consultant companies one can opt for to become a consultant. There are several independent consulting jobs and opportunities now. Check the consultant description, and select the best for yourself to become an independent consultant.

1. Research consultant

A research consultant is one of the elite jobs for independent consultants. The person is usually affiliated with academics. He or she gathers data by scanning through multiple sources and performs extensive analysis on the data. The analysis leads to designing innovative products or documenting the findings.

2. Independent marketing consultant

An independent marketing consultant devises strategies for customers to increase their market presence. The person analyses the opportunities and targets consumers of the company’s products and services. Accordingly implements the strategies for further growth and earning end users for consumption.

3. Freelance consultant for content writing

What is a freelance consultant? A freelance consultant for content writing is one of the trending independent consultant businesses in recent times. You can write for a website or an online business or a company’s internal blog content.

4. Independent IT Consultant

If you are competent in IT skills related to any specific technology or product, then you can opt for an independent IT consultant job role. Many IT companies are nowadays outsourcing activities like design, testing, development to an independent consultant.

5. Independent educational consultant

How to become an independent educational consultant? The role of an independent educational consultant is to provide assistance and guidance to parents in researching for admissions in colleges and universities. The person matches the student’s abilities, marks, and ambitions to the best of the academic institutions and guides them throughout the admission process.

6. Paparazzi independent consultant

A paparazzi independent consultant is responsible for selling fashion accessories of women and others. The person brings the products to various fairs, events, parties, and expos for selling them to potential customers. The consultants need to enroll in the paparazzi program to earn commissions.

7. Freelance business consultant

A freelance business consultant or freelance management consultant is responsible for providing a multitude of services related to managerial, functional, and technical to a particular business. He or she researches the business domain of the company and extracts potential growth opportunities; one of the intelligent independent consultant businesses.

8. Independent wine consultant

The vineyards and wine firms promote and advertise their wines in various wine tasting events, parties, and festivals. An independent wine consultant acts on behalf of the firms and presents the wines to the consumers. The primary job of the person is to assist in enhancing the sales process.

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9. Independent sales consultant

An independent sales consultant or independent sales consultant companies are responsible for selling the products or services of a firm to consumers. Depending on the number of sales, they are paid commissions by the company; decided mutually in independent sales consultant jobs.

10. Independent jewelry consultant

An independent jewelry consultant sells jewelry in person or online by conducting exhibitions, fairs, and events. The person is not affiliated with any company. Nowadays jewelry consultants even tie up with e-commerce firms for selling their products.

11. Self employed consultant with virtual assistance expertise

Virtual assistants are now in great demand. As more and more companies are focusing on advertisements on social media platforms, the need is arising. A self-employed consultant with expertise in social media algorithms conducts live events, creates promotional messages to target potential consumers.

12. Independent nurse consultant

An independent nurse consultant can work on a contractual basis for any healthcare facility including hospitals, nursing homes, or health centers. They can also work directly with my family or household requiring nursing care facilities for old people, child care, and for people suffering from ailments.

13. Independent consultant insurance

Independent consultant insurance or a risk manager guides building owners, companies, or individuals in assessing the level of insurance required. They diagnose the anticipated risks and suggest the insurance schemes to their customers which includes the tenure and the amount. Besides, they even suggest the best insurance companies for their clients.

14. Contract consultant

A contract consultant essentially provides expert advice to the customers on varied subjects. The subjects can be domain-related, industry-related, functional, technical, or technology-related. Simultaneously they execute and deliver the recommendations or strategies and thus are responsible for the end-to-end completion of the project.

15. Independent travel consultant

An independent travel consultant guides travelers in selecting their travel destinations and suggests the best packages. They can either conduct travel tours in their entirety or assist in selecting transport, and accommodation from other vendors. Besides they guide their clients in selecting the itinerary as per the preferences and budget.

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How to become an independent consultant?

By now we have understood what are the different roles available to pursue being an independent consultant. In this section, we will focus on how to become a consultant, the academic and professional skills to be accrued for the same.

1. Research well before becoming a consultant

Read the different suggestions, recommendations, and guidance provided by established independent professionals before becoming a consultant. For example, if you are interested in independent beauty consultant companies, then check verbiages from renowned beauticians before becoming an independent consultant.

2. Select your niche for independent consultant jobs

Select the niche for the independent consultant jobs you are opting to pursue. The niche must be related to your area of expertise and academic abilities. You can select multiple niches as freelance consultants; a critical step for how to be an independent consultant.

3. Clarity on the products or services offered as part of freelance consulting

Be confident in the products or services you have planned to offer as part of freelance consulting to your customers. List down the salient features well before initiating communication with the clients. You need to understand which products or services attract consumers and which features are preferred by them.

4. Finalize the rates for freelance consulting jobs

Research on the market prevailing rates in various freelance consulting jobs. Select the rates accordingly. As an independent consultant, you can set a base rate wherein you can provide a bulk of services. For extra services, you can put add-on rates. Customers may have varying payment schedules, which you may need to negotiate before signing the contract.

5. Build expertise and experience by being a consultant

Write some blogs on a website or work as an intern to gain expertise and experience in independent consultancy. Being a consultant initially in a small business firm will also help in enhancing your credibility and knowledge level.

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Independent consultant salary

An independent consultant salary in the US is on average of USD 25K per annum approximately. The lowest salary can be USD 18K per year and the highest can be USD 42K per year. Denver has been recorded to be paying the highest average i.e. almost USD 25K per annum to an independent consultant.

The middle 67% of US independent consultants earn approximately between USD 22K and USD 29K per annum. The upper 67% of US consultants earn almost USD 42K per annum. On this, the independent consultant taxes have to be paid to the Federal US government which reduces their take-home pay to an average of 22K per year.

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Independent consultant resume

A sample independent consultant resume is illustrated below for your reference.

1. Marketing Independent Consultant Resume example

Summary: Marketing Independent Consultant with 20+ years of experience in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management in electronics, transportation, oil, and gas processing industries.

Experience Details

1. Designing business processes related to internal and external supply chain network processes for oil and natural gas industries.
2. Managing and monitoring service requirements on-air/ocean forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers.
3. Documenting the requirements and design specifications
4. Expertise in the documentation of customs clearance formalities
5. Conducted audits to check the performance levels of suppliers, fabricators, and forwarders
6. Tracking shipments, and delivery by monitoring the promised order delivery dates and the arrival dates.
7. Curated innovative and automation frameworks resulting in almost 90% improvement of the shipments being delivered on time.

Academic Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management
2. Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management
3. APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional certification (CSCP)

Key Skills

1. Experience in devising strategies for market expansion
2. Analyzing the market trends
3. Developing strategic relationships
4. Good verbal and written communication
5. Result-oriented mind-set

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Employee versus consultant

Employee versus consultant – Let us try to debug the key differences between an employee and a consultant. Employees work directly for the company they are employed in and do not work independently. An independent consultant is not associated with any company and works as per the independent consultant agreement.

Employees are mandated to provide their services regularly to the employer, the terms being defined during the hiring process. Consultants work for a fixed term or maybe for a specific project. The working hours of an employee are determined by the employer. Consultants define their working hours, the target is to complete the assigned work.

Being an image consultant is a trending career now. Are you inspired to become one? Here is a 5 step guide and top 15 career choices for you. Read on!

Image Consultant

The image consultant profession started in the early 1980s. The profession has expanded far beyond fashion. Today it includes communication, interview skills, personal branding, body language, and presentation. In this blog, we attempt to answer your questions about what does an image consultant do? How do you become an image consultant? The image consultant’s courses and consulting certification are available.

What is image consulting?

What is an image consultant? An image consultant definition is a person who focuses on the impact made by their clients in their personal and professional sphere. Image consulting is a mix of psychology, fashion, and marketing. They aim to improve their client’s appearance, behavior, digital footprint, and communication.

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Image consultant job description

Image consultant careers are exciting and fulfilling. You help to improve your client’s personal and professional image. People or firms hire them to improve their public relations strategy. The job description is as follows,

1. Schedule extensive meetings with clients to understand their personal and professional goals.
2. Analyze, refine, and alter client’s image, behavior, and communication skills.
3. Work with corporate clients through professional brand, coaching, and projects.
4. Organize and conduct seminars and workshops, for corporate to meet their professional goals.
5. Promote your client through articles in social and print media and other forums.
6. Help create an authentic, suitable, and sustainable image.

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Top 15 image consultant businesses one can start

Starting your image consultant business is daunting. You need to have a background in fashion or a related field. It is important to have contacts with people in the retail side of the business. To start any business you need to identify your market. Your clients can be corporations or individuals. Here are some businesses you can start.

1. Personal image consulting

Personal image consulting services, help individuals create a positive first impression. The consultant checks their client’s lifestyles, roles, and goals before suggesting changes. They choose to dress according to body type while incorporating the personal style of their clients. They help improve their client’s body language and etiquette.

2. Image consulting job

Image consulting jobs encompass three components visual, behavioral, and communication. Visual components consist of clothing, grooming, body language, and other physical components. Behavioral components are listening, public speaking, etiquette, and language. Communication components include improving paralinguistic, writing, and presentation skills. They work on the three components to help clients achieve their potential.

3. Image specialist

Image specialists help transform lives. They help bring out the best qualities of their clients and become more successful. They improve their client’s behavior, appearance, and communication skills. An image specialist interacts with their clients to understand their goals, job profile, and pain points. They use psychometric tests for better understanding. They use the results to map out a sustainable transformation.

4. Image consultant jobs

Image consultant jobs need candidates to have a flair for style and design. They work with their clients to develop a unique image to meet their personal and professional goals. They work with clients to develop style, behavior and enhance their communication skills. They help promote their client on print and digital platforms.

5. Online image consultant

Online image consultant advises companies and individuals on how to manage their digital media. It is important to have a consistent image online and offline. They streamline their client’s online presence across various social media platforms and websites. They work with their clients to ensure quality and uniform content on their websites, blogs, and social media pages.

6. Personal style consulting

Personal style consulting is the art of image and appearance building. They choose clothing and accessories based on the client’s body type and needs. Personal style consultant helps their clients with make-up, hair, and home décor. They need to be mindful of their client’s styling preference when suggesting outfits. They should have an understanding of the latest fashion trends.

7. Professional image consultant

Companies today realize the importance of brand image. They realize their employee’s image is part of their corporate brand. Professional images consultants improve the appearance, behavior, customer interaction, and communication of front-end employees. They help the employees become successful brand ambassadors of the company. Firms hire them for etiquette, professional conduct, presentation, and communication skills training.

8. Image consulting business

Image consulting business professionals train executives to dress for success. They may have to work with other professionals for the consult. They collaborate with hairstylists, makeup executives, dieticians, personal trainers, and media professionals. They now conduct training online for their clients. The consultants train business professionals for social and business events, speeches, and presentations.

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9. Executive image consultants

Executive image consultants help entrepreneurs, high-level and mid-level executives create an image with executive style. Executive image consulting involves learning their client’s unique character traits and what they want to convey through their appearance. They identify the gaps in their client’s wardrobe. They proceed to fill the gaps based on their client’s lifestyle and body type.

10. Image coach

Image coach works on the way the client is perceived. A person’s image has several elements like – self-esteem, dress sense, and communication skill. Image coach works with their client’s to bring out the best in their clients. The consultant will help develop a unique authentic style to get a favorable response.

11. Personal consultant

A personal consultant works to improve their client’s total appearance. Consultants first study their clients before suggesting improvements to their appearance. A consultancy aims to help its clients meet personal and professional goals. During the evaluation process, they learn more about the client. The consultant works w to bring about visible and meaningful changes in appearance, skill, and behavior.

12. FIT image consulting

FIT is a renowned college for fashion, design, art, communication, and business. Fit image consulting course is well respected. The extensive course content for image consulting covers topics like fashion, wardrobe planning, event planning, and publicity.

13. Makeover consultants

Makeover consultants are not limited to changing someone’s wardrobe choices. They help individuals find their style quotient and help them find clothes suitable for body shape. Makeover consultant performs color analysis to find a suitable color. They give grooming, makeup tips. They help clients project the image they want. They work on their client’s body language.

14. Image consulting services

Individuals and organizations can opt for image consulting services. You have a specialized image consultant for men or women. They offer services like communication assessment, appearance management, styling, grooming, personal shopping, or wardrobe consultancy. It can include professional and personal development training and coaching programs.

15. Corporate image consultant

Corporate image consultants help working professionals to create a great first impression. They equip their clients with tools to project their best selves. They mold the dressing and image of staff as they progress. They teach their clients to dress for each occasion. They ensure corporate leader’s image is consistent with their brand image.

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How to become an image consultant?

A personal image consultant must be a great communicator. They teach their client’s react in specific situations. You need to establish an interpersonal relationship with your clients. You need to correct your client. You need strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task. In this section, we elaborate on how to become an image consultant.

1. Personal image consultants training

There is no formal course for personal image consultants. Most consultants have completed their bachelor’s degree in related fields like communication, marketing, psychology, beauty, fashion, or public relations. Though formal training is not compulsory it is beneficial. Several institutes like London Image Institute provide training. There are courses for image consultants online or community colleges.

2. Consultant certification

Consultant certification will help you get recognition for your abilities and skillsets. The Association of Image Consultants International AICI offers three certifications,

1. Certified image consultant (CIC)
2. Certified image professional (CIP)
3. Certified image masters (CIM)

The AICI offers fashion stylist certifications in two levels First Level Certification (FLC) and Certified Image Professional (CIP). There are personal and styling courses that offer image consulting certification online.

3. Job experience as image consultants

You need the experience to become one. They can develop their skills working in other jobs. Opt for jobs like a sales associate at a clothing store, a personal shopper or stylist, or a beauty consultant at a makeup counter. These jobs will give you firsthand experience working and advising clients.

4. Choose your specialization as an image consultant

You can choose a specialization that focuses on your strengths and skills. You can choose communications or style, beauty, etiquette style. This will help define your career path and improve your skills. You will be able to target your audience better. You need to stay updated about the latest trends in the industry.

5. Become an image consultant by networking

Networking is important to become an image specialist. You may need to develop a relationship with other professionals. You may need a consult with related industries like event management, photography, and media. You need to build a portfolio to attract new clients. You can offer a free image consultant service to friends or family to build your portfolio. If you are starting a business you need to build an online presence.

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Payscale of image consulting professionals

Person image consulting professionals earn an average annual income of $67,374/- or $32 per hour. The salary of an image consultant near you can start at $48,527 and senior image consultants 83,000. Their average annual bonus is $1691. The salary depends on their experience and location.

1. Image consultant NYC

The average gross salary of an image consultant NYC is $35,976 or 17.30/hour. The average bonus in the city is $3,770. Entry-level image consultants or with one to three years of experience earn approximately $29,190. Senior image consultants with 8+ years of experience earn an annual salary of $42,529.

2. Image consultant Dallas

The average salary of image consultant Dallas is $42975 or works out to $20.66/hour. The salary of an entry-level image consulting Dallas professional can start at $33,000 per hour. Senior image consultants earn $104,500 annually. 75% of them in Dallas earn $52,000 annually.

3. Image consulting DC

Image consulting DC professionals can get an average annual salary of $448404 or $21.54/hour. Salaries of image specialists in DC start at $33,170 and can go up to $125,270.

4. Image consulting San Francisco

The average annual salary for image consulting San Francisco is $38,284 or $18.41/hour. The average bonus in San Francisco is $4.012. The salary of entry-level consultants in San Francisco is $33,903. Candidates with 8+ years of experience earn approximately $45,257. The average salary of consultants in Miami is $31,414.

5. Image consulting Boston

Image consulting Boston professionals can get an average annual salary of $90,000. The salary range of consultants in Boston can start at $41,000 and can go up to $200,000. A consultant with a bachelor’s degree earns an average of $87,000. Those who have completed their masters can earn an average of $96,500.

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Image consultant courses

The training is like public relations specialists. There are no bachelor’s degrees in image consultancy, there are image consultant training courses you can attend. Several consultants study public relations or communication. Some consultants study fashion. Best universities for Bachelors in Communication,

1. University of Pennsylvania
2. University of Southern California
3. Cornel University
4. Boston University
5. DePauw University

Best Universities for Bachelors in Fashion,

1. Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.
2. Parsons: Fashion, Art and Design School, New York.
3. Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Philadelphia.
4. Stephens College, Columbia.
5. Kent State University, Ohio.

Some institutes which have courses are,

1. London image institute
2. Pearla Academy
3. Fashion stylist institute
4. MESA Community College
5. International Career Institute (ICI)