How to Become a Consultant in Today's Economy

When the economy is in turmoil, people have a tendency to let fear control them. While this instinct was developed to help people survive in difficult times, it might not be as useful today as it was centuries ago when people had to literally fight for survival. When the economy takes a turn for the worse – like it did a few years ago – people seem to have an automatic response that tells them to seek safety in familiar environments. For many folks, this means searching out a lifeline in the form of a traditional corporate job. Unfortunately, the corporate environment is not nearly as safe as our parents and grandparents taught us to believe. For this reason, learning how to become a consultant is actually one of the smartest things a person can do in uncertain economic times.

The Advantages of a Career in Consulting

If you're reluctant to pursue consulting because it seems like a more dangerous option than a traditional corporate career, think about this: if you lose your corporate job, you're back at square one, and maybe even worse off than you were before you found your job. On the other hand, if you lose one of your clients as a consultant, you still have several more clients to help you remain financially stable as you seek out a replacement. Now that's true job security.

Becoming a consultant is a terrific idea for folks who have built a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience capital over time. The corporate environment simply does not reward you in a way that's appropriate for all of the time and effort you have put into developing and nurturing your skills and expertise. Moreover, the implied contract of loyalty that made corporate work so appealing many years ago is simply non existent today. This is especially true in an uncertain economy like the one we're experiencing right now.

Some of the benefits of a consulting career in today's economy include:

• Increased job security – there's no need to worry about the possibility of your name being included on the next list of cuts

• Freedom to move quickly and make decisions based on your best interests

• The ability to step in as needed to help companies and other organizations that are trying to survive in difficult times

• The costs associated with becoming a consultant are so low they're practically insignificant

The Low Cost of Entry to the Consulting World

One of the most important benefits of becoming a consultant today is the fact that it costs next to nothing to start. If you're wondering how to become a consultant without breaking the bank, you really don't have much to worry about. In fact, it's possible to get started as a consultant with nothing more than a smartphone and some choice apps. If you're reading this, you have access to the Internet, which means you're already about halfway there.

You don't have to worry about setting up a physical office space, and you certainly don't have to concern yourself with gaining access to a voluminous research library if you want to become a consultant. You only need to be able to connect with other people, which is incredibly easy if you have a handle on modern technology. When you think about the expenses involved in a typical employment search – buying a new suit, driving to interviews, preparing and sending resumes, etc. – the costs associated with becoming a consultant are extraordinarily minimal.

Your Experience is Needed in This Economy

If you have built a lifetime of knowledge capital and experience, you shouldn't view yourself as someone who is subject to the whims and caprices of the economy. In fact, you should take a much different view – you have the power and the skills to make a positive change to the economy. Companies and organizations are scrambling to keep up with the demands of the new economy, and they need the wisdom and expertise that you can provide. If the economy is going to improve and recover in a meaningful way, it will take people like you to help make it happen. Don't let your skills go to seed in the corporate environment; put your skills and experience into the world where others can benefit and you can reap the rewards you have earned.

If you're ready to learn how to become a consultant, I encourage you to think about your specific skills and expertise. Take note of the the many positive attributes that you can bring to the table, and don't sell yourself short. Once you have assessed yourself to determine what you can do to have a positive impact on the world, you will be ready to get into the nuts and bolts of taking on “Independent Consultant” as a job title. It may be difficult to push your fears aside as you get started, but the rewards of being a consultant will remind you why you made the right choice.

Are you ready to take the next step in becoming a consultant? Sign up here to receive a free copy of my eBook, “Experience Matters.” It contains a wealth of valuable information that will help you make a positive transformation and transition into the world of consulting.