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Your Consulting Firm May Be the Very Last Job on Your Resume

Guest post by: Jessica Ollenburg

Article Overview: Some believe filling resume gaps by labeling or creating a "consulting" firm is a positive resume builder. More often than not, this adversely impacts one's ability to be re-employed. To set oneself apart as a freelance "consultant" or company owner can be synonymous with setting oneself apart as averse to taking direction from another... a statement likely to create de-selection from employment opportunities. Top employers will also investigate the legitimate success in engagements during this "consultancy" time period on one's resume.

Your Consulting Firm May Be the Very Last Job on Your Resume

Some believe filling resume gaps by labeling or creating a "consulting" firm is a positive resume builder. More often than not, this adversely impacts one's ability to be re-employed. To set oneself apart as a freelance "consultant" or company owner can be synonymous with setting oneself apart as averse to taking direction from another... a statement likely to create de-selection from employment opportunities. Top employers will also investigate the legitimate success in engagements during this "consultancy" time period on one's resume. When choosing to be a consultant, know beforehand it is not all glamour and glitz. A corporate career as an internal key member dedicated to one corporate environment at a time is NOT preparation for consultancy. Successful consultancy requires the proven ability to simultaneously serve multiple unique organizations through analysis and adaptation... and deep knowledge of multi-employer case studies. Serving one or a few selectively chosen organizations is not necessarily preparation for consultancy. Conversely, consultancy is not necessarily preparation to become an internal expert. Deep knowledge of that organization is the only preparation for that role.

Consultancy requires reporting to many "bosses." It is a myth that one can succeed in consultancy without subordination.

While it is true that many employers are drawn to candidates who have demonstrated the responsibility and ambition of starting a business, employers of choice will carefully screen this situation and select/de-select candidates accordingly.

If not prepared to forever risk livelihood, think twice before abandoning the safe route of remaining steadily and stably employed, creating documented successes as an employee. Embrace consultancy for what it truly is and understand that a great consultant is never "in between jobs."

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Article Tags: consulting firm, employment opportunities, freelance consultant, resume builder, top employers



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