What is an IT Consultant actually? [DON'T CARE!]

[StrangerInBeijing]

As I'm job hunting (taking my time, waiting for the big one) over here, more and more people advice me going for IT consulting positions. I even got a few ask me if I would be interested.

Bottom line is, I got no clue what a consultant does!! I can guess yeah, and when doing so, I like to make myself believe I know enough to "consult" (software dev, servers, hardware, networking, etc) and also years of experience in stuff like FMCG, health risk management, etc, but I would like to hear what is the typical JD of a consultant?

I guess there’s a lot of bull*****ting involved, something I despise like hell. But then, I’m here to make money, and not much success in that regard so far. I guess my English here, and being an expat help your image a bit.

[si_the_geek]

Being a consultant means that you work for whichever company wants to pay for you.. this is typically anything from half a day to a few months, doing work that you specialise in (or are capable of doing).

Generally they want expertise that they don't have in-house, exactly what you would do depends on the situation. I have seen consultants come in to do an installation, or create reports/web pages, or training IT staff, or be a member of a project team for X months.

Bull is certainly not required (even tho many use it), showing real knowledge is the best way. Being a true expert in an area can pay very well when you are consulting.

[szlamany]

I am a school district administration, labor union admin and health claim processing consultant.

Sometimes I get paid to sit in meetings to help the non-tech people at these places understand the technical requirements of whatever project is coming down the pike.

In the US we recently enacted a law called HIPAA - all about health info privacy and electronic transmission of claim and payment information. That paid me for about 3 years with just one customer!

The bull part really doesn't work - you certainly won't get called back in again! Although I gotta say I've always pegged myself higher then the requirement - and then made sure to deliver 150%. Back in 1998 I knew a little COBOL - said I knew a lot more - and then helped a company migrate over the Y2K issue - saving them over $150,000 in outsourcing fees by developing "code filter/edit" programs that fixed the code automatically. They loved me so much they kept me as a consultant for 4 more years while they finished the migration to SAP - I was one of two or three people left in the old VAX mainframe room as they were turning the lights out.

If you are curious how you could handle this line of work, go see an employment agency in your area - tell them your skill set - and see how they can place you. You'll be surprised at the results!

[RobDog888]

Si and szlamany have it right. I quit my job last week so I could start my blade company and while it building up I am doing consulting work for my old employeer and a few others. Someone hears what I can do and if they have something along those lines then I'll do their work and get paid. I dont do jobs that are risky or are out of my area of expertise. I do want repeat business so I am being very carefull and putting in 151% (Ha ha, szlamany ). Basically you can choose what projects or jobs you want to do. Its allot more flexiable and at the same time risky since you may not have coninuous work form time to time.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Well, seeing I'm working on the SBS Testing team (MS Small Business Server) and get to work with the product every day, I was thinking in going for SBS Consulting. One hellova market, because I guess 80% of companies out there got 75 users or less (the SBS limit)

Looking into it...

ps: Reason for posting is critic..feel free to p!$$ all over the idea

[si_the_geek]

It sounds like a great idea to me

(assuming of course that there is demand for it)

[Hack]

If you are going to do freelance consulting (in order words, on your own as opposed to working for a consulting firm), bare in mind that typically you will be responsible for your own health care costs, you will not get paid if you are not working (this includes holidays, not just time on the beach), and your vacations will be unpaid.

(Been there; done that; got the unpaid tee-shirt! )

[StrangerInBeijing]

Hi,

Thanks for all your input. I did some thinking and thought "De hell with it"...I'm going to stick with my "silly little" tesing job at MS working for peanuts (outsourced in China....see?)

I get to work with all the latest software, got tons of free time (at work!) I can use for studying and learning new skills and all that. And bottom line is, I got "Working at Microsoft" on my resume forever.

It might not mean a lot to me here, but I'm not going to be here forever, so gonna stop worrying about getting into opensource, or doing my own thing making proper money. Changed careers to IT too late, and would be a fool making a change into another direction again.

I love this. I'm a programmer and this is what I want to do.

Thanks again

ps. Send money if you like

[RobDog888]

Its never too late to change careers. I didnt get into professional programming until after I was in my 30's and I succedded and made good $$. I am changing again and going solo. I currently have 5 contracted projects that I got, 3 just a couple of days before I quit and 2 only 3 days after. I have more work now then I did at my previous job. I thought I would be able to kick back and make decent money doing a couple of jobs a month but I am getting too much work.

[Datacide]

[StrangerInBeijing]

Funny one Datacide!!

Sounds great Rob. Also started programming just before turning 30...lol...and that 's just over 4 years ago.

Just going to hang on a little while as I'm learning so much now, and want to build up some confidence and a network here now I changed countries too.

Got an interview tomorrow (yeah sunday!!) though...will see how it goes. I shot straight at project management, they took the bait, and then I started playing hard to get. They got strange ways here in China (not focussing on my skills, but on the color of my skin), so I will be "strange" too.
Female HR Manager..so will abuse the admiration they got for us expats here...ha ha ha

[RobDog888]

Usually in the technology industry they look at 3 - 5 years as solid experience and about a level II systems analyst. If you can nail down 5 years experience you should have no problems getting what you want anywhere.

I have been programming mostly for fun since 1982 I was still in grade school.