What to Consider When You’re Considering Consulting

With the world of employment in flux, short-term and long-term consulting engagements are becoming increasingly attractive options for workers and employers. If you’re considering looking into a consulting position instead of applying for full-time employment, you’ll discover there are many distinct advantages— and, of course, some downsides, too—to consulting.

At Queen Consulting, we have experience in guiding and supporting candidates through the process of becoming a consultant. Here’s our overview of important factors to consider when you’re considering consulting.

The Advantages of Consulting

From the interview process to flexible schedules, from compensation to skill-building, there are numerous benefits to working as a consultant. Here are a number of advantages to think about.

• Speed: The interview process for a consulting job is generally quicker, and, because the stakes of making a poor hiring decision are lower, hiring managers are more likely to give a consultant a chance. Additionally, the onboarding process for a consultant is usually faster, so you put your skills to work sooner.

• Test drive: Once you make a good impression as a consultant, it can be a simple process to get hired as a permanent employee (if that’s what you want). And, it’s also an ideal way for you to determine if a potential employer will be a good match for you.

• Flexibility: As a consultant, you may be more able to set your own schedule, because you are paid to produce work, not be in an office. This may mean you work longer days, but have a shorter work week, or perhaps you take the summer off between contracts to travel or take care of your family.

• The money, honey: Consultants typically command a higher pay rate, since the employer is paying primarily for your skills and productivity without the promise of continued employment.

• The rewards: Many consultants feel a sense of accomplishment from successfully completing defined assignments. Being paid for the work you produce rather than the time you put in yields a direct measure of your value.

• A sense of entrepreneurship: Working as a consultant allows you the experience of creating your own brand and working for your own clients, without the financial risks of starting your own company.

• Build skills fast: Consulting gives you the opportunity to pick the projects you want to work on, instead of waiting to get assigned to a particular project. This makes it easier for you to acquire desired skills that will help you build your resume and career.

• Find your passion: Similarly, by allowing you to explore different types of work, consulting may help you find your ideal career focus more quickly than a typical full-time job would.

• Variety: As a consultant, you can experience new things all the time: work challenges, ideas, people, industries, even cities. If you like diverse experiences, consulting can be a very enriching option.

• The future: As the way work gets done undergoes fundamental changes, being an experienced consultant positions you as an adaptable, skill-based professional, ready for whatever comes next.

In addition to the many pros of becoming a consultant, before you decide to go that route, you should weigh the potential cons, too.

• No guarantees: Unlike a permanent employee, a consultant’s position can be eliminated quickly and easily—often with no warning—if performance goals aren’t met or the scope of the project changes.

• No sense of home: As a consultant, you may not feel that sense of belonging that a full-timer may feel. Likewise, you may be treated by permanent employees as a bit of an outsider.

• Obstacles to career progression: Particularly in the earlier stages of careers, it can be easier to be promoted to the next level within your own company rather than land that position from outside the company. And longer-term consultants, especially those who have completed multiple short-term assignments, may not be viewed as permanent employee material by some employers.

Choosing the Right Consulting Firm

Queen Consulting Group is known as one of the top technical staffing firms in the industry. With more than twenty years devoted to this business, you’ll find the guidance and experience to help you land the right consulting opportunities.

Want to learn a little more about Queen Consulting Group? This is us in a nutshell:

• Winner of the 2021 Best Employment Agencies in Boston
• Named one of SIA’s 2020 Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms
• Winner of the 2018 Best Employment Agencies in Boston
• Nationwide Reach
• 20+ years helping companies hire the right IT professionals
• Partners to Fortune 500 companies & small businesses alike
• Specialize in Healthcare IT and niche technical recruiting

Our reputation as a trusted resource for providing employees with respect, appreciation and responsive service is unparalleled. Whether you’re working on a temporary assignment, long-term contract job, or a contract-to-hire position, Queen provides you the royal treatment throughout your tenure.

Our approach is different.

• Land the perfect job: Imagine having an IT recruiter streamline your search so you land the role that suits your career – and your life. At Queen, our expert recruiters get to know you, your talents, and preferences. We prepare you to interview, providing tips to put your best foot forward. We act as your advocate through the negotiation and hiring process.

• Benefits: Many temporary assignments do not provide health and other benefits ... but not Queen! We offer a package of competitive benefits (including education credits and a 401(k) plan) that allows you the freedom to make the best decisions for your career.

• Ongoing consultant care: You got the job, but it doesn’t just stop there! Our team is committed to your success. We guide you through every step of our smooth onboarding process and will stay in touch to make sure you are happy and know you are valued!

• The hunt for the next assignment: It might feel like a daunting task to get back into the job search when your assignment ends. But at Queen, we look out for you and partner on your search. We contact you before the end of your current assignment, help you update your resume, seek out appropriate new opportunities and help you apply for them, and advocate for you through the hiring process.

Whether you are interested in a shorter three-to-six-month assignment or are seeking a multi-year assignment, you should be aware of the pros and cons of being a consultant and consider how these factors may affect you.

Considering trying out consulting? Contact us to explore the possibilities for your career!