I know everyone cannot have a job doing what they love, especially in the current economic times, but it is important that you at least enjoy some aspects of what you do.  If you go to bed on Sunday nights feeling like someone just hit you in the stomach, it might be time to find a new career, a new technology, or a position with a new company.

I often talk to brilliant IT consultants who are bored with what they are doing, but they are not willing to make a change.  Why waste your time and talents on uninteresting or outdated technology?  If you don’t like one technology, try another one.  Attend user group meetings focused on the new technology, learn as much as you can at home, or ask your colleagues for resources.  Technology changes constantly; if you don’t like it today, you probably won’t like it tomorrow no matter what iterations it goes through over time.

In the current employment market, you need to do everything possible to stand out from the hundreds (or even thousands) of applicants.  Being passionate about what you do is a key way to engage an interviewer and make a good impression.

What’s love got to do with IT? EVERYTHING!

We are currently looking for great consultants to join our growing team.   It is a very simple thing to say, but not an easy thing to find. 

Great consultants come in many different forms.   Great does not relate to years of experience or skill level, the number of college degrees obtained, or even the number of big name companies on a resume.  Great consultants, in my opinion, have a high level of professionalism, good ethics, and effective communication skills. 

Professionalism includes the way you present yourself to your teammates and clients.  Your company brand has been carefully built and nurtured and it is up to you to maintain and reflect the brand and integrity of your company at all times. Professionalism also requires situational awareness.  You should be aware of what is happening and who is around you to understand how information, events, and your own actions will impact your goals and objectives, both now and in the near future.  

Ethics is an important part of consulting.  Many times you are on your own at a client site and need to have good judgment and be able to make sound decisions.   Clients are counting on you to deliver what you promise, so set clear expectations and exceed them whenever you can.   A good work ethic is also a key to a great consultant.  Our job is to satisfy the client and sometimes that requires extra time on the job.  It also requires that you arrive on time every day and be willing to put in a full day of work when necessary.  Cutting your hours short (or misreporting them) is not only a bad reflection of yourself, but of your company.  Remember – you are representing your company and their brand on every engagement. 

Communication skills are crucial to being a good consultant, but it is a highly overused phrase.  It can mean a myriad of things, but at its core it means that you are able to effectively communicate information and expectations with your team and your client.  In order to effectively communicate, you must be able to speak courteously and respectfully, communicate expectations appropriately, and listen actively.  You should ask open-ended questions and listen to the response so you can constantly find ways to exceed expectations.  Keep in mind that not everyone is technical, so you need to be able to speak to both technical and non-technical audiences.  Having a good understanding of the business side of your project is beneficial to this point.

Are you a great consultant?  If not, find ways to improve your professionalism and communication skills.  There are numerous networking groups and online resources related to the development of these specific skills.  I promise it will be worth the work!