As managing partner of a healthcare IT consulting/staff augmentation firm, I’m always having conversations with people who are looking to enter the consulting marketplace. Many of the people with whom I speak are employees of hospital IT or informatics organizations, and are considering transitioning from full-time to consulting. See our past blog post. One of their main concerns is trying to figure out what’s in their best interest: joining a consulting firm as an employee or becoming and independent/contract consultant (being paid an hourly rate for their work). For many people, joining a consulting firm and being part of an organization just “feels” like a safer step. Most hospital employees are used to receiving a salary. Having the salary and bench time that comes with joining a consulting firm provides many of them with a sense of security while going through a major career change. Since financial security is a very important factor, this route typically strikes them as a smart way to enter the world of consulting. But along with money, here are a few other reasons why you might, or should, consider joining a consulting firm as a first step in your consulting career. Once you’ve gotten these aspects figured out, it might be a bit easier for you to venture into the world of contract consulting.

1. Consider Joining A Consulting Firm
As A First Step In Your Consulting
Career

2. Establish Credibility As
An Outsider

3. Most people have heard the saying “you don’t get a second
chance to make a first impression.”

4. In consulting, your first impression is critical. But more importantly,
how you interact with your new client in the first week or two of a
new project can be tied to how successful you’ll be on the project.

5. By extension, being part of an organization that can assist you in
learning how to set things up properly can be critical to your
career as a consultant.

6. Know when you’re at a client site to “consult” and when you’re
there for “staff augmentation.”

7. Clients hire consultants for many reasons.

8. Sometimes they’re brought in to share their experience when
dealing with similar projects. A consultant’s experience can help
shape the direction of many of the projects in which he or she will
participate.

9. However, there will be times when project direction has already
been established. In these circumstances, you’ve been brought in
not because of your sharable experience, but due to your specific
skill set.

10. When this happens, it’s critical not only that you understand
expectations beforehand, but also that you’re able to stay on task
once the project begins.

11. There are certainly ways a consulting firm can help you evaluate
new situations and understand the role you’re actually being
brought in to perform.

12. 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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