Sital Ruparelia

Thanks to Scot Herrick from CubeRules for the inspiration behind this post. He’s recent article Every Job Is A Consulting Job got me thinking about how just ‘thinking’ like a freelance consultant (even if you’re in a permanent job) can protect your career during an economic downturn.

You see, there is no such thing as a ‘permanent’ employee in the modern work place – we’re all consultants. Technology, globalisation and increased competition have conspired to create a world where change and restructuring are part and parcel of all our lives – even in a good economy. So even if you have a ‘permanent contract of employment’, in today’s work place the organisation can no longer promise job security. With increased prosperity and lifestyle changes, individuals cannot promise loyalty to a particular employer. Consequently we’re all consultants or free agents – the CEO of Me Plc / Inc.

It is a mindset shift. But once you ‘get it’ and start thinking like a freelance consultant, it pays huge dividends because it completely changes the way you behave. When you think like a consultant, a few things happen:

1. You take much more responsibility for your own career instead of relying on an organisation to manage your career

2. You’re forced to have plenty of other ‘irons in the fire’ in the form of other roles just in case required

3. You become more proactive in developing a wide network.

4. You become very results driven. Results lead to testimonials, repeat business and referals (the lifeblood of an independent consultant). So being focussed on results and the value you create for employers / clients makes of much more valuable in the market place

5. You’re more focussed on managing your personal brand in order to differentiate yourself from competitors

More valuable + Better networked + More career options + More proactive in managing career + strong personal brand = Less vulnerable to downturns

As this little ‘career formula’ illustrates, during a downturn, the typical behaviours of a consultant can protect you and your career. Every market has it’s winners and losers. Thinking and behaving like a consultant can help you become one of the winners.

By the way if you’re looking for further help in protecting your career in the current downturn, you may want to take a look at our FREE teleseminar “How To Find Job During Recession.” In this complimentary call you will discover what it takes to find opportunities in the current market. Further details and information on signing up click here now.