You Could be a (Darn Good) Consultant, Here’s How.

Consultant. A widely used job description with a diverse range of meanings in a rapidly growing industry. More and more companies are seeking to employ the expertise of consultants to bring efficiencies to their projects without the cost associated with new full time employees. This growth of course means an ever-widening landscape of opportunities for professionals who have a bank of skills in their back pockets, even if they’ve never considered moving into a consulting role. ​

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Moving from the “security” of a FTE position to the world of consulting can feel like walking into a dark room without a flashlight, slightly intimidating or perhaps even confusing given a wide range of experiences, opportunities and approaches to the industry by a plethora of consulting firms. But once the light shines, you’ll see a world that brings its own job security, unmatched flexibility, and the ability to grow your career (and compensation), while working for a firm who truly values its people, not just a “body shop” as can be a negative stereotype of our industry. 

And while consulting isn’t for everyone, there is a unique sense of purpose, accomplishment, and satisfaction that comes from applying your background and skills to see clients succeed, continually diving deep to learn about new companies and their products and services, all while building your own professional resume along the way. 

But just how can professionals with years or decades of experience in tech, marketing or project management roles successfully transition to consulting? It may be easier than you think through a few quick tips: 

• Define yourself: While consultants can be the masters of adaptation, a good (and desirable) consultant can easily explain their strengths - whether that is a set of hard tech skills (i.e. programming language, data analytics, etc.), or the ability to apply best practices across many industries (i.e. change management, product development). Know what you are good at and be ready to help clients who are seeking just that - an expert! 

 

• Get after it: There is no better way to make the transition to consulting than diving full force into a project. Clients value a passion for their company and products, and a willingness to immerse yourself fully in their project or issue you’ve been brought in to solve. You may be surprised how much fun a new challenge can be, providing objective, constructive insights as you ramp up.  

 

• Don’t be a know-it-all: Perhaps slightly counterintuitive, consultants don’t have to have all the answers right away! And the best ones ask more questions, challenge the status quo, and seek out more information or best practices from others internally on the client site, and their fellow consultants who may have seen similar challenges on other projects. Be there for your expertise, but also for your ability to problem solve and find the best resources for your clients. 

Those are just a few highlights that can make your transition to consulting smooth, energizing and rewarding. Consulting opens up a world that provides unique opportunities to apply your skill sets across a variety of clients and industries, adding new professional opportunities, strong pay, and COVID-friendly flexibility to your work life. ​