Category: Succeed as a Consultant
This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to get started as an IT consultant.
Are you an IT expert with several years of experience, and do you dream of working independently and being your own boss?
It’s actually not that complicated to get started as a consultant, and we’ve made it easier for you. When you start out, there are many opportunities, but you also face challenges. Check what is required and how to get started.
We cover these topics: The trend to be an independent consultant, the reasons to become a freelance IT consultant how you can succeed as an independent consultant, and how you can obtain stability as a new freelance consultant.
This article will help you understand what you can achieve as an independent IT consultant, project manager or business advisor, and the considerations you need to make to succeed.
Common questions related to starting up as an independent consultant:
It is inspiring to experience how the client develops with the expertise I contribute.Roy Johansen, digital advisor
The labor market is constantly changing. Technological developments affect the way we work and live. Complex and extensive projects strongly increase the need for flexible and specialized expertise.
At the same time, there is a critical shortage of IT expertise in Scandinavia. And an excellent way to cover the need for knowledge is to use flexible resources from independent IT consultants. Everyone is looking for competent IT specialists, so if you are one of them, you have opportunities.
At emagine, we have observed that the freelance consulting model is a trend that is here to stay and the future of business. The best consultants enjoy the security of stable contracts and the freedom to pick and choose projects that allow them to grow and develop as professionals.
If you are tired of your 9-5 routine and dream of further developing your expertise, all on your own terms, then read along.
Roy Johansen is a digital advisor and business developer and takes assignments via emagine in Norway. As an experienced consultant, he thinks the best thing about being a freelancer is the flexibility and autonomy to make ones own choices, deciding which tasks and projects to work on.
“It is inspiring to experience how the client develops with the expertise I contribute,” says the experienced IT specialist who is a freelance business developer and project manager.
Read Roy’s story:IT consultants are experienced specialists. Those who succeed have the driving force, personal qualities and competencies required.
There can be many reasons why you want to start as an independent consultant. We have gathered some testimonials in conversation with hundreds of freelancers who decided to become independent. Here are some of the most important reasons to start for yourself.
An experienced engineer or IT project manager often says they want to work with specialist expertise. The focus is on the areas of expertise you operate in and want to cultivate.
Ulf Jørgensen is a seasoned Danish IT expert who has had a long international career as a consultant. In his changing assignments, Ulf Jørgensen often faces tasks that involve business problems he has seen before. Usually, IT is the tool, but the goal is ultimately a business solution.
“The collaboration with emagine has successfully provided me with projects that are a good match for my profile. They are good at finding the best possible consultant for the project.”
Good timing and the right skills are essential if you want to start for yourself. This increases the possibility of you landing new projects and achieving a sense of predictability around them.
With a growing demand for IT skills, there has never been a better time to become a consultant!
Whether you call yourself a freelancer or an independent consultant makes little difference. As your own boss, you will have business activities in your company, contact customers, find projects and run for yourself. There is a lot to manage; therefore, a partnership with a consultancy such as emagine can be very beneficial.
These factors make the choice easier:
Europe is facing a substantial digital boost and a critical competence need for IT expertise and experience in both the private and public sector. You can be the one who knows most about ‘the next big thing’ and can use your background and interests.
Consultants are brought on at a company to help solve a problem because they are specialists in areas where there is a lack of expertise or resources.
What specialized IT skills have you worked with in the last five years? Because if you want to stand out in the competition with other IT experts, you must have recent and relevant experience.
Both developers and project managers have attractive skills that the market demands. If it is updated and certified, you have an excellent opportunity to succeed as an independent IT consultant.
Look up examples of some in-demand IT areas of expertise.
Not everyone who works with IT thrives on great variety and new projects. But for those who do, there are many benefits and some requirements.
You must be willing to take on a demanding client and tasks that do not always seem perfect. At the same time, you must defend your professional integrity – be an advisor, problem solver and sparring partner. In other words, you must be curious, have self-confidence, and show commitment to your work.
Evaluate if you have what it takes to become a successful freelance consultant and learn more about which personality traits a good project manager should possess.
With a large demand for IT expertise in Europe, new technology and platforms make it easier to find assignments for freelancers. But when starting for yourself, it can be challenging to find and build a network of clients. In this case, a relationship with a well-established consultancy such as emagine can be of great value. You get assistance with the many administrative tasks that are part of being a freelance consultant, such as invoicing and contracts. Furthermore, you gain a partner that has your interests at heart, knows when your current contract ends, and so can provide you with assignments courtesy of public framework agreements and a well-established network of clients.
A lot changes when elements of administration, networking and sales, have been removed from the equation. Life as a consultant becomes much easier, when the barrier to finding assignments and new clients has been lowered or even removed, as you are then able to focus on solving the task at hand and applying your hard-earned skills.
Ewelina Wielemborek is a Polish consultant who has been working on a large-scale project through emagine – as a Scrum Master, her main task is to empower her team through through the agile method.
“Even though I have a technical background, I like to work with people. Working with people gives me more satisfaction than working with code. The role puts me right in the middle of all these things.”
You’ve come this far – you want to be your own boss and make a difference as an independent consultant. You are motivated, you have the right skills, and there are assignments out there…
But what about stability and practicalities? Here are some guidelines to ensure a smooth transition and consistency in your new life as an independent IT consultant.
You have a permanent job but want to start your own freelance business. Where do you even begin?
If you have a family, they must be taken into consideration.
Start by discussing how you will get through the start-up. Set up a simple plan and budget and find out how much you need to earn as a minimum. Make sure you have a buffer before starting out on your own.
Can you work part-time, or do you have to resign? A talk can be helpful if you have a good relationship with your employer. Investigate opportunities to work more independently or to have a smooth transition with part-time + freelance tasks. Since you are a sought-after specialist, such arrangements may be possible.
Then start planning when to quit your permanent job. Suddenly you are involved in practical decisions, and things can go quickly. First, you must create and register a company from which you can bill clients and send invoices. Check out useful resources with the taxation office, incubators resources and for start-up help in your city.
You undoubtedly know someone who has started for himself, so hear how they got started. Check out our tips for easy upgrades you can make to your LinkedIn profile to expand your network even further.
Article: Six easy optimizations to make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
You can check whether there are assignments in your areas of expertise with consultancies and job agents. At the emagine website you can view all the latest projects.
It will also help if you chat with someone who works daily to find advisors (a sourcer) for jobs. They can quickly give you feedback on whether you have the right profile and enough experience, whether something should be changed in your CV, or what you should focus on.
If you are in a permanent job, you can create a consultant profile at emagine and set the status to ‘in permanent employment’. This way you can get a feel for the market demand before taking the leap.
Stay updated on available assignments, and start planning your switch to a consulting career preferably half a year before you can start. And remember that companies sometimes are willing to wait for the right consultant who has the right hard and soft skills.
You don’t necessarily need a separate website, but a good LinkedIn profile and a clear CV are crucial. At emagine we can help you with that.
When it comes to pensions, you can opt out in the very first phase, but check what your bank or insurance company offers.
It may make sense to have health insurance if you choose a sole proprietorship, then you are insured in the event of your own illness. Remember that insurance is for ‘worst case’ scenarios, and you can exclude such fixed expenses in the beginning of your consulting career.
Don’t forget to join associations and groups, and make sure you stay up-to-date professionally. Life as a freelancer can be lonely, so attend meetings and nurture your network. It will surely give you opportunities.
You need to have a backup plan.
Research your country’s job market and determine whether you can return to permanent employment if your freelance career doesn’t kick off.
If you have organized yourself well as an independent consultant, you will also receive money in the event of illness and other social benefits. So the security is there if you choose to become independent.
Stay true to your plan and give yourself enough leeway and safety margin to allow yourself to take chances. On the other side, once contracted you can enjoy the flexibility and independence that a consulting role provides.
Are you an expert and have the qualities to be a consultant?
Do you want to be your own boss?
Check your motivations – what inspires you?
Are your skills in demand – check the opportunities in the market.
Contact relevant intermediaries and consultancy houses; check if there are assignments within your areas of expertise.
Create a plan, time-frame, and budget for a start-up – set aside a buffer.
According to your plan, choose the type of and the official registration of your company and take care of practicalities with an accountant.
Get a ‘sales department’ – create a profile with a consultant intermediary and apply for assignments early.
When will it happen? Resign or take time off – make a move!
Ready to find out more?Ask us how we can help you succeed.
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