Contractors Do

Evolution Of A

Consultant

After a consultant has been with a consulting firm travelling for about 2-3 years most will stop and evaluate where they are in regards to their ability to continue to travel on a weekly basis.

M T W TH F

Most of the time, if a consultant is going to burn out on the travel, the first 2-3 years is commonly the timeframe that it will occur.

It is at this point where one of three things will take place. The consultant will: •  Continue working with a consulting firm.

•  Leave consulting all together.

•  Consider contract opportunities.

Continue Working With A Consulting Firm For some, the travel they are experiencing will be just fine, and with no major changes in their personal life, they will continue to do what they are doing.

Leave Consulting All Together

For most consultants, at the 2 – 3 year traveling mark, they will burn out on the travel completely or lifestyles that allowed for travel will have changed. So they’re going to look for a position within an organization where they’re not on a Monday-Thursday travel schedule.

Consider Contract Opportunities Some consultants will choose to stay in consulting, but will look for avenues where they can make as much money as they did as an employee of a consulting firm, are able to take a little more time off as well as have more control over the assignments they commit to.

As an “independent consultant” or “contractor”, you will get paid an hourly rate that is higher than the rate you earned per hour while a salaried employee. This is primarily because you will not be paid during bench time. Because of this you can work less hours per year while still making the same amount of money that you were as a salaried employee. You can also take time off in between engagements which may make the hectic travel more tolerable on a yearly basis.

•  As a contractor, you have control as to whether or not you sign on for a project. You have the ability to pass on any project. This is a choice you may not have had as an employee of a consulting firm.

•  If there is a good project but the travel schedule would be difficult to deal with, you have the option to decline and wait for something more favorable.

•  Taking these factors into consideration will convince many consultants to consider contracting after they have been with a firm for 2-3 years.

Learn More At HealthcareIS.com

•  Ways to Negotiate •  How to get the right contract •  Who to work with •  Tips for traveling consultants

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