Big Data consultants: How to hire the best one

Assessing knowledge and competency in 5 key areas.

Tom Potanski

Reviewed by Rebecca Botvin

Last updated on May 14, 2024 | 20 min read

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The big data market is experiencing explosive growth, with a projected value of $401.2 billion by 2028. As organizations grapple with ever-increasing volumes of data, the role of the big data consultant has become crucial for business success. There are diverse sets of skills that a big data consultant must possess in order to be able to navigate the various complexities of different projects.

Big Data is the cornerstone of data-driven decision-making for businesses centered around enhanced operational efficiency, better customer service provision, and personalized marketing campaigns, driving companies to maintain an advantage over those who lack business decisions driven by Big Data.

With the valuable insights Big Data promises, enterprises are in repeated search of professionals who are competent in evaluating and analyzing data, creating coherent data strategies, along with promoting awareness of future technological innovations best suited to the business.

A proficient Big Data consultant is, therefore, of critical importance for companies to hire, necessitating delving closely into the credentials and skills of those professionals.

What should you look at first? A Big Data consultant must be an adept problem solver. They need to integrate multiple systems or services on a daily basis. Even with extensive experience, it is still impossible to be an expert on every tool with various different technologies on the market. That is why analytical skills are vital, as is the ability to link a variety of factors. Even after years of working in the industry, Big Data consultants encounter new problems for the first time. They need to be familiar with a wide variety of environmental elements to accurately assess the sources of problems and adjust solutions accordingly. Persistence and flexibility are highly valued within the field.

Consultants must understand how to manage and administrate a large cluster of servers, for example, via Ansible. They must be proficient in installing and configuring software, understanding network settings, monitoring, and managing cluster resources (CPU, Memory), eliminating cluster bottlenecks, and balancing resources. When designing a solution, they must also know how to scale the solution to expand the environment in the most efficient way.

A well-designed environment is the foundation of Big Data. Still, the processes related to data management remain at its core, which is why Big Data consultants must know how to prepare data models and processing layers– without a good model, data maintenance and the addition of new data sources can be painful. These consultants should also know data structures and understand their processing logic in order to implement a process with the lowest computational complexity. While executing a data processing flow, it is also essential to choose the appropriate technology to avoid complicating the process anymore than is necessary.

Nowadays, great importance is attached to securing the data, which can be implemented on several levels. One is to ensure communication between the services themselves by configuring the SSL, which is an encryption-based standard protocol employed to secure an internet connection and prevent hackers from accessing or misappropriating any information, such as personal or financial data. Engineers should also know how to encrypt the disks using KMS tools and manage access to sensitive data. It can be regulated through access policies and tagging mechanisms. This knowledge is essential for the protection of the environment.

The field of Big Data is constantly developing. Research results from the International Business Machines Corporation showcased that as of 2020, humans produce 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily, with the number growing astronomically by 175 zettabytes of data in 2025. As Big Data expands, New technologies and solutions continue to appear within the space, so engineers should regularly monitor and learn trends. Extensive knowledge of available technologies will allow for a more precise selection of tools to achieve business goals.

Big Data Consultant: Key Things to Look for When Hiring

Big Data has been around for quite some time, but many organizations are yet to fully understand the opportunities it presents, even more so when it comes to making the most of this ever-evolving field.

As IoT devices and online services become more advanced and user-friendly, more data is generated and collected. Making sense of this information, however, can prove to be a challenge for most businesses. For instance, storing the vast amount of data generated on a daily basis is one of the most consequential challenges for companies, especially when dealing with data in different formats. According to Dell Technologies, 43% of IT decision-makers have serious concerns regarding their IT infrastructure capacities to handle prospective data demands.

The growing complexity of Big Data has pushed companies to look for more highly skilled Big Data consultants, engineers, and other experts. Not all of these organizations know what to look for in the applicants, however. Even more than a degree or credentials on paper, real-world experience and skills are more important when hiring a Big Data consultant, be it with an individual contractor or a consultancy company. According to the Institute Data, when evaluating potential candidates for a big data consultant, it is important to consider their technical expertise and evaluate whether the candidate has a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning and programming languages.

Here are some key things to look for when hiring a Big Data consultant:

They are natural problem solvers

Consultancy work in any field is mainly about problem-solving, but it is even more important in Big Data and analytics as roadblocks and challenges appear regularly. One of the regular tasks of a Big Data consultant is to integrate multiple systems or services and constantly monitor these for possible improvements.

No one can be an expert in all the tools of the trade, however, especially as new technologies and systems emerge regularly. Therefore, the IT professional you are looking to hire should have strong analytical and logical skills. Even if they have been working in the IT industry for decades, there will always be a novel problem to solve. Consultants need to be familiar with the complex landscape of IT and data analytics and stay on top of current and emerging trends.

This implies that traits such as adaptability, open-mindedness, and persistent drive to learn should be heavily prioritized and valued in the hiring process, ensuring the candidate embraces a growth mindset.

They can see the bigger picture

Big Data comes in packets of incalculable size from countless sources. A first-rate Big Data consultant can design strategies and systems to efficiently collect, store, analyze, and visualize these packets of information for different project needs.

Beyond simply recommending how to best leverage the data, a consultant should also lead and manage the team and the project, all while completing tasks within the predetermined budget and deadlines. They should see the bigger picture of how their analyses can be used not only for one department or project but across the entire organization. The International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that by 2025, 175 zettabytes of data will be generated annually worldwide. A big data consultant with a holistic view can help organizations navigate this data deluge and extract meaningful value across departments. Observing the bigger picture is, thus, invaluable for Big Data consultants in aligning day-to-day tasks with larger objectives, handling challenges, enhancing goal specificity, and expanding a broader perspective on potential problems and opportunities.

They are creative and quick on their feet

Creativity in this domain means coming up with novel solutions and recommendations. An exceptional Big Data consultant should develop accurate data sets using the latest technologies and intelligent algorithms. They should also be up-to-date with the trends, the industry, the competition, and new strategies.

A consultant’s work involves querying data, performing analyses, and presenting findings and recommendations concisely and comprehensively. This should include interpreting data for specific projects and industries and, if needed, coming up with innovative proposals.

They have advanced technical know-how

Big Data analytics relies on tons of information from various sources. Any consultant you are looking to hire should have sufficient, if not top-notch, technical knowledge. They need to have solid programming skills, of both foundational languages and scripts as well as emerging ones.

It is also a good thing to be familiar with text mining, clustering analysis, recommendations, predictive analytics, and other related disciplines. The solutions they recommend or help implement will also likely be delivered either on-site or in the cloud. As such, they should have a solid understanding of cloud-computing services, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce, IBM Cloud, Oracle, and other popular providers. To illustrate, a data consultant equipped with profound knowledge of the aforementioned platforms would be able to critically assess various models or structures, optimize the costs of data storage, analytics, and processing, and foster cost-effective practices for the business.

They know how to communicate effectively

As with any leadership or consultancy position, communication is critical. Even the right creative ideas and solutions will have limited efficacy if consultants cannot communicate them properly to the team in an efficient and timely manner.

When it comes to major projects, communication between the consultant and executives is key, especially when proposals need to be approved. Beyond this, Big Data consultants have the responsibility of explaining the tasks, objectives, and other necessary details to the team when implementing their recommendations.

Managing and consulting for a project involves constant communication with multiple stakeholders. The Big Data consultant you’re considering hiring should be well-prepared to carry this out. In general, considering that interaction with others potentially affects the team all around, finding a Big Data consultant with outstanding interpersonal skills promotes a healthy collaborative environment, assisting in navigating through complexities and upholding psychological safety within the organization.

They should fit into your company culture

Although hiring a big data consultant with technical skills and expertise is one of the vital steps to take, considering how they can fit into your company culture is also crucial. According to a Forbes Leadership Strategy Review study, companies with strong, positive cultures experienced a 4x increase in revenue growth. A big data consultant with active contribution to your company culture, and collaborate closely with your staff to understand your business goals and the unique environment in which you face challenges. This drives better outcomes for your projects and the organization as a whole.

An important reminder:

One important thing to note here is that they don’t need to be an expert in ALL of these aspects. As a consultant, they will likely have access to a team of professionals; as a team leader or decision-maker, they’ll be able to tap into the network and resources available to them. According to a Harvard Business Review study, cross-functional teams are 1.5 times more likely to achieve successful innovation. A big data consultant who can effectively collaborate with and lead diverse teams can significantly enhance project outcomes.

Things to Consider as a Client

Finding the right consultant or consultancy firm for your important data needs is a two-way street. As a company, you must prepare accordingly and perform due diligence in order to ensure that your available human resources align with your project and overall business goals.

This means that you should investigate a variety of factors on the company side before hiring a consultant. Here are a few helpful suggestions:

Complexity of the data

Operationalizing the data complexity of your business provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the data attributes, which oftentimes require the Big Data consultant to possess distinct skill sets and toolkits relevant to the company needs. The data your company collects comes from various channels and sources. As such, you need to have at least a basic understanding of the data sources and the complexity of the packets, as well as what challenges they may pose. Before searching for a candidate it is also important to identify your company’s objectives and identify needs, which will allow you to narrow down the search. This will help you determine what kind of analyst or consultant you need or what degree of expertise or experience your project requires.

Gaps in current operations

Your organization is likely already doing some data analysis wor; the next step should be identifying any gaps in current operations and improving existing IT architecture and processes.

Before hiring a Big Data consultant, companies must assess current operations and find out what areas require improvement most urgently. You can then use the results of any analysis to better focus on ideal specific candidates. You should start identifying your gaps by assessing your organization’s current data capabilities. What data do you have and how is it being utilized? Are there any limitations in terms of your organization’s data infrastructure?

The future-proofing your investment

Given the fast-paced evolution of technology, your big-data consultant should be committed to continuous learning and keeping up with industry trends. Every day, we experience drastic changes, highlighting the importance of new tools, methodologies, and ways of thinking. You don’t want to stay back in this cutting-edge era, so considering continuous learning will help future-proof your investment in the data.

Resources required for the project

Big data consultants, especially the most reliable ones, may often come with a sizeable price tag, but they often prove they are worth it (if not more). It’s important to consider how high costs could run due to recurring issues, complex data management needs, and long-term projects.

In order to ensure that you only partner with a trustworthy consultant or consultancy firm in-depth research is key; their reputation, previous clients, and success stories provide valuable insight and should give you an idea of how they manage both internal and client resources.

There are, of course, also other significant considerations such as, expectations management, flexibility and scalability of their offered services, and beyond to keep in mind when hiring a big data consultant.

One should aim to identify the analytical, technical, and business skills reflected in the work of the Big Data consultants, as those three dimensions of aptitudes lay a solid foundation for thriving cooperation.

The privacy in your data operation

With the increasing importance of data security and privacy, hiring a consultant who is well-versed in the latest security practices and compliance requirements is important. They should have a proven record of protecting data with very strong measures. For example, you could include examples of how the consultant implemented protocols for data security. By understanding their experience with your secured data operation, you can avoid significant financial losses and inefficient transactions.

Final Word

Remember, the right big data consultant can be a game-changer for your organization. The cruciality and popularity of Big Data, data science and analytics, and the professionals that work in these fields will continue to grow, especially in our current IT-driven world.

In order to ensure that your search for the best Big Data consultant is as stress-free as possible, it’s important to have a clear project goal in mind as well as an understanding in regards to what kind of expertise your company needs to achieve its predetermined goals. Your potential big data consultants can help you unlock the potential of your data, drive innovation, and gain a competitive edge in your industry. Take the time to find the right fit, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a truly data-driven organization.

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