Why become a consultant? Become a consultant and change your life. When you become a consultant, you’re saying goodbye to the predictability, normalness, routine and safety of a regular job. You’re venturing out on your own, into unknown territory. From here on out, you’ll need to survive by your wits, not a paycheck that appears every two weeks without question. The hours may be long and the pay may be meager as you start out.
But, in the long term, your decision to become a consultant may be the best thing for you. You’ll call the shots (well, except when your clients do). You’ll be in charge of scheduling your time. You can refuse projects, dump clients, and focus on work that interests you. You set your rates.
Moreover, you can become a consultant without spending much money. Often, all it takes to become a consultant – at least on paper – are a computer, business cards, a telephone and an Internet connection. Of course, to truly become a consultant, you’ll need clients, expertise, experience and other important pieces of the puzzle. But, unlike starting a restaurant or a store, you can set up your consulting business with minor costs.
Seasoned experts
A seasoned expert will often become a consultant after spending years in a field or industry. Seen as a true opinion leader, this veteran will often become a consultant by contracting back to their previous employer and business contacts. This professional often heads into retirement or leaves a senior management job, hoping to become a consultant. The seasoned professional who decides to become a consultant tends to be in high demand, because their specialized knowledge cannot be found elsewhere in the company. This expert will often become a consultant because their old company and colleagues beg them for help.
Life changers
Some people decide to become consultants because of a life change. For them, becoming a consultant is about changing their world — not their career.
Wanting to work from home while you care for a child or parent.
Needing to be home when your kids finish school
Finding yourself unemployed and realizing you’ve got a great opportunity to finally start the business of your dreams
Realizing you want more control over your life
Facing medical issues that prevent you from working full-time
Realizing you don’t like working for a boss
Being downsized and discovering that other companies need someone with your skills — but not on a full-time basis
Retiring, but wanting to keep busy
Wanting to supplement your existing job by moonlighting
Being offered consulting work and realizing that you’d like to do more of it