Going for a temp job has always been a good option for those who are looking for a temporary means of income, and those who have been downsized. By getting this type of job, you will be able to maintain or even enhance your skills while also making money at the same time as a consultant, perhaps. But before you decide to pursue a career as a consultant, you have to know first the good and bad sides of this type of job.
The PROs of Becoming a Consultant
1. There is always something new. If you are the type of person who easily gets bored with his job, you will find it beneficial to get a consulting job because it will allow you to meet new people and handle new projects all the time. Plus, you get to learn some new skills you couldn’t have in your other job. You may be surprised one day that you already have what it takes to be a life coach.
2. You can travel a lot. As a consultant, you have to be ready to travel at any given time. This is a very exciting opportunity especially if you are sick and tired of being stuck in an office cubicle.
3. Consultants earn as much money as they want. Compared to any other ordinary employee, a consultant is not eligible for employee benefits. It is for this reason that you may charge higher fees for an hour of your service. This is understandable because you will need the money to cover your own benefits. What’s more, with a specialization, you can get an even more payment from your clients.
The CONS of Working as a Consultant
1. The income may not be steady. As you will be paid per hour for your services, you will feel that there’s no stability in this type of job in terms of your income. Thus, if you want to earn more, you will need to work doubly hard to get more clients.
2. You can’t receive employee benefits. Consultants are self-employed individuals, which means they are not qualified to receive employee benefits. To address this, they need to be motivated and financially responsible so that they could invest in their retirement and insurance plans.
3. Consultants are always surrounded by many people. As a consultant, you will be working with people, and so you need to be around many people to enjoy this job. Otherwise, you will find it stressful to do a consulting job.
After weighing the pros and cons of becoming a consultant and you feel that this is the right path for your career, you can join a career planning program where you will learn everything you need to know to be a successful consultant.