Independent consulting is a saturated and highly competitive market. In order to stand out, here are five mistakes you should always avoid:1. Not paying attention to the job description.With a wide variety of positions readily available through online job boards and other recruiting sources, many consultants fall into the routine of broadly canvassing for dozens of roles at a time, regardless of whether their background and skills match up with the provided job description. This puts an unsustai...
Soft Skills Worth Mentioning Creative Problem Solving Being a problem-solver requires both creative and analytical thinking. IT industries look specifically for problem-solving skills like: Logical Reasoning, Lateral Thinking, Persistence, and Initiative. Communication Being a good communicator is a valuable skill to attain. Whether these skills are oral or written, the ability to effectively express your ideas are crucial in sales, HR and management. When applying for jobs in these fields, rec...
An employee’s knowledge base has a significant impact on the quality of their work. Without appropriate learning opportunities, your team may struggle to complete their assigned tasks, decreasing productivity and the quality of their outputs. However, if the training you provide is ineffective, it can actually do more harm than good, leading to increased confusion and frustration as well as issues with following developed processes and procedures.
1. Focus on a specialization.We all know how the saying goes: “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Some independent consultants instinctively gravitate towards accepting any and all projects that fall within their skill set; it seems intuitive to keep things as broad as possible in an effort to capture more business. However, those who specialize in a particular area can charge higher rates, generate more demand, and have an easier time distinguishing themselves from competitors. Try to choose...
1. Consulting firms’ corporate culture can be stressful.While poor corporate culture isn’t an issue exclusive to the field, consulting firms have a bad reputation for creating atmospheres laden with long hours and stress. In addition to managing high workloads and trying to impress clients, consultants must also juggle internal demands from their superiors.Bench SME takes away the stress of corporate culture by allowing you to become your own boss. There’s no need to deal with layers of bureaucr...
1. Consulting firms’ corporate culture can be stressful.While poor corporate culture isn’t an issue exclusive to the field, consulting firms have a bad reputation for creating atmospheres laden with long hours and stress. In addition to managing high workloads and trying to impress clients, consultants must also juggle internal demands from their superiors.Bench SME takes away the stress of corporate culture by allowing you to become your own boss. There’s no need to deal with layers of bureaucr...
The gig economy can be harder to navigate than one might think. Especially as a consultant, the first year can be the toughest. It’s been predicted that in the next five years, the workforce will make a major shift towards majority being independently employed. To be successful and to survive your first year as an independent consultant Elaine Biech, author of The New Business of Consulting: The Basics and Beyond say “your first year isn't as much about the work you do as it is about the way you...
If and when someone has collected the necessary knowledge and experience to become a subject matter expert, they have to option to use their expertise to run and build their own business instead of working for someone else. The newly rising gig economy makes for a profitable market for any type of independent consultant to sell their expertise. Most independent consultants generate leads by using online platforms to to find and land clients. At Benchsme.com we do the leg work for you and m...