CAREER ADVISOR

In this issue, the “Career Advisor” is responding to a question from the United Arab Emirates: “ after ten years of employment in the field of IT and management, I am considering becoming a free lance consultant, what do you think about such a move?”. All reasonable questions related to careers, skill development or employment related issues – sent to advisor@skill-link.com - would be addressed in this section every week.

Q: I am considering becoming a consultant, what do you think about such a move?
 
I am a manager in charge of IT application installations in a large manufacturing company, where I have been heavily involved in the selection and implementation of the IT solutions throughout the company. I have also heavily participated in the re engineering of business processes to reflect the new systems capabilities and in the training of staff at various levels. Now with 10 years of working experience, I am considering becoming a consultant, working on a free lance basis with different clients on automation, systems selection and project management. What do you think about making such a move ? Specially that I am married with two children.

H. H. Dubai

Replying:
 
Dear Mr. H

A lot of professionals, specially those with entrepreneurial characters and those who like to be constantly doing challenging work, consider at one point or the other in their careers becoming consultants.
Becoming a consultant does not necessarily mean being a free lancer, you can get most of the benefits / challenges by joining a consulting firm. This could be an IT, management, recruitment or similar consulting firms. In such a case, you are supported by an organization, its collective staff knowledge and contacts and can better leverage your efforts.
Being a free lance consultant will offer you more autonomy, more control over your life style and work load, however you may have more financial risks. Your income will be directly tied to the revenues you personally generate from clients that retain you and you will be less able to attract / hire more junior professionals to help you on your consulting assignments. You should also be aware that as your relative negotiation position as an independent consultant with clients - when it comes to fees and collection - is weaker, compared to a member of a consulting firm. Clients will always know you are very dependent on them and you have no over head and / or company policy etc. in many cases they may abuse of this situation - In both cases - whether a free lance consultant or a member of a consulting firm - you need to consider the following issues to confirm they suit you:

• As a rule you should be multi tasking, working on several tracks at the same time, eg. proposing work to more than one potential client while working on delivery with one or more companies. At the same time, you could be supporting other clients in finalizing your work - just completed - on a part time basis.
• As a consultant, unlike regular employment, each client will expect you to be focusing your attention on him, they do not care what other work / commitments you have.
• Since you are delivering a service (not a product) in addition to delivering - and exceeding the expectations of your clients - you have the extra challenge of keeping your clients updated with your progress and aware of the value you are delivering.
• As a consultant, in most of the cases you rely on client staff to successfully undertake your assignments (collecting information, confirming needs and assumptions, implementing recommendations, testing solutions etc….). Since these do not report to you and are usually busy with their regular job duties; it is a challenge to get their time and full attention. You must have the character and the ability to influence them.
• Finally, a client usually expect his / her consultant to have more knowledge in his field compared to the client employees, they also expect him to learn fast their business and the industry they are working in. This requires a person that is a quick learner, who is constantly developing his skills through reading, attending courses / conferences etc...

Note from the editor: 
Employer names and inquiry sender names were withheld for confidentiality

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