Making the Move from Employee to Consultant

Learning as you go is just a part of starting a new business that everyone goes through. However, that shift in mindset from being an employee to a consultant is major and can get complicated. Employees face much less risk and enjoy a predictability consultants often do not receive. Employees work with the same people day in and out, have a set number of days off as well as a set number of hours you must be in the office each day.
While consultants have a greater degree of freedom, that shift in behavior and mindset can be a significant challenge to overcome. Take a look below to see examples of what you can expect when making the move from employee to consultant to better understand what you will need to overcome and how you can become a stronger consultant.
Managing Risk
Consulting work often entails diving headfirst into projects without knowing the whole scope. There will always be an element of risk involved with consulting as opposed to being an employee, but it all comes down to how well you manage it. You are solely responsible for your work and it will challenge you to notice details you may have overlooked before.
Being an Outsider
More likely than not, the company’s employees will not know you and you won’t feel like you’re part of the company’s culture or community. Build relationships where you can, but don’t take it personally if you aren’t always included in lunch plans. Your clients may not even have a space where you can quietly work, so adjustments need to be made for that as well. Get comfortable with the unknown and find value in the fact that you can view the company and its processes with an unbiased eye.
Unpredictable Hours
Clients don’t have to care about the long hours you put in since you are not an employee. They pay you to get the work done no matter the hours. You will most likely be working into the night or the weekends until a project is completed with a professional finish. Time off will be wholly contingent on your workload and whether you are able to consult in a manner that allows you to work remotely.
Conversely, you may also find yourself with longer periods of time off in between projects. Instead of succumbing to stress, find ways to build your business, skills, or network. Use the downtime to recharge as well to prevent burnout. Use the time off to reward yourself for a job well done on this new venture in your business.
Enjoy the Ride
Consultants are often thrust into the unknown and expected to perform at the top of their game. You just never know who your next client will be or what your next project could look like. Constantly meeting with new clients, refining skulls, and an ability to hit the ground running in a new environment can be daunting, but it’s all part of the job.
There’s nothing more rewarding than becoming someone’s go-to client. The stress will be worth it, but you must put a positive spin on the stress whenever possible. You’re one step closer to your goals because of this aspect and you learned something from this aspect. Show companies and clients you can exceed expectations and then enjoy how well your business goals start to take off. Through all of the hard work and hours, don’t forget to enjoy what you do.
