Anyone here transition from a coporate employee to consultant work?

[Avalux]

I have been offered what seems to be a wonderful opportunity as a consultant, which means I'll be giving up the job as a corporate cog I've had for 7 years. I'm bored out of my mind and have been wanting something different.

In my head, there's a perception of stability with what I'm currently doing, even though I know I could lose this job tomorrow. So I'm thinking there's more risk if I leave and go out on my own, but the work I'll be doing is exciting to me.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful advice...because right now I don't know what to do.

[elleng]

1. Not exactly,

and as you've hit the nail on the head re: pros and cons, I don't have advice for you. I'd say go with your gut.

As to stability, is it a 'popular' area, consult-wise? If so, that's a pro.

[Avalux]

3. Yes, it's the medical field. Definitely a pro.

You actually gave me really good advice - go with my gut. My gut is saying I should do it.

[elleng]

6. Glad I could help.

'Break a leg!'

[hunter]

2. Perhaps Obamacare makes it less dangerous.

My wife was ostensibly an independent contractor when she became seriously ill. (Random shit happens to good people with no bad habits...) We ran her COBRA plan to the bitter end and then we had to jump through many hoops to get her on our state's "high risk" plan.

My wife is healthy again, but our finances never recovered.

[Avalux]

4. Yes, healthcare is on my cons list.

That said, I'm supposed to have super duper health insurance now and I'm paying over 200 a month for it. It sucks.

I'm sorry you had to go through the financial troubles, but happy your wife is healthy again.

[blaze]

13. Health care

Please check out the specifics of insurance costs in your state.

A quick search of Colorado (not taking into account any prescriptions) ranged from $570 a month to $1180 a month.

This for no spouse or kids.

[seaglass]

5. I have not left a job to become a consultant but I do know the feeling of being bored out of my mind

in a job and my feeling is that if you can turn boredom into excitement for 8 hours a day, that's the way to go. Good Luck

[Skittles]

7. I would be excited if I only had to work 8 hours a day

[Avalux]

9. Thanks.

You're right - I'm excited about the offer; really don't see how I can pass it up to stay bored and in a cubicle.

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. Make sure the compensation is adequate

To make up for what you would be getting at your current job.

Vacation
Sick leave
Employer's portion of SS and Medicare
401K matching
Employer's portion of medical insurance
Enough to build up a nest egg should you become unemployed.
Etc etc etc

A lot has to do with the length of the contract too. I wouldn't leave a steady job for a 6 month contract, but I might for a 2 year one.

[Avalux]

10. Good info, thanks.

There's definitely a lot to consider, including my sanity.

[TexasBushwhacker]

12. BTW how old are you?

There is a lot of age discrimination out there. If you're over 50, I would stay put JMHO. Working as a consultant, you know you will have to look for a new gig again, sooner or later. The older you are, the harder it is to get hired.

[underahedgerow]

11. And it depends on who the consultancy is for. Check out the company, google the crap

out of them 'what is it like to work for Scalpels R Us as an Employee'. You'll learn a lot, one would hope.

I have a friend that does very well as a consultant for HR, but some of the companies that place consultants in his specification are absolutely horrible, so just be sure of what you're getting into. And keep in mind, in some cases, 'consultant' means higher paid temp employee.

Also, consider the possibility of taking a leave of absence from your current job, in case the new one doesn't work out. 'You're exhausted and need a break'. It would be unpaid, I believe, but would create a placeholder.

Do your research and if it all feels right, take a shot at it. Why not? In the very least you could learn how to BE an independent consultant and maybe strike out on your own, etc.

[DFW]

14. Tough choice, and my advice is probably useless

But I got a job in a field I have a lot of fun in, and have stuck with the same outfit for over 40 years now. I started out as a low rung guy with some useful field knowledge, and now lead a James Bond/Jason Bourne life, in a different country almost every day, as much vacation as I can fit in and still fulfill my job obligations, and a salary that has left me debt-free for decades. I also painted myself into a corner, as I made my job so specific that I can't find anyone else to take my place and lighten my workload.

But it beats sitting in some office from 9 to 5 in the same city 11 months out of the year. So, my take is to go for what you find stimulating, intriguing, challenging, as long as you feel it will be there next year, and will make you glad you made the move. I got recruited at age 23, and now at age 64, there's still nothing else I'd rather be doing.