We know that a consulting role is new to many people this year (if you missed our blog about why you should give a consulting role a shot, check it out now) so we wanted to share some ways in which you can not only make it through your IT consulting contract but also excel and have fun while doing it.
Build Relationships
Firstly, it’s important to have a great relationship with your recruiter at the staffing firm that placed you (like Matlen Silver). Being able to have honest and transparent communication with your recruiter is the key to your success. They are there to guide you through every step of your engagement. You should always ask them questions first and then they will advise if there is someone else that would be better suited to answer your question.
It’s also a good idea to have a great relationship with your daily supervisor. While this isn’t a typical employment arrangement and they can’t discuss things related to your engagement, they are your main point of contact for anything related to you performing your daily tasks to the best of your ability. Also remember to fill your recruiter in if you make a request from your client (for new software, for example) just so they can support you if you need extra help.
Form relationships with your teammates. Whether they are other consultants or full-time employees, it’s important to form working relationships with other team members. They will be able to help you succeed in your engagement and help you with your projects, especially if they have been at the company for some length of time. They can probably answer most work-related questions before you need to ask your supervisor (but it’s always good to double-check with your supervisor if something isn’t clear or just to get additional information). Having a strong bond with your coworkers will also help the success of the team and the organization.
To make your consulting engagement more fun, find some work friends! While many businesses are operating remotely, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make friends at work. Get to know someone while taking a coffee break over Zoom. Or, unconventionally, befriend some socially distancing remote workers at the local coffee shop.
Build your reputation
Do your best work. This sounds obvious, but for some, it isn’t their inherent nature. Doing just enough to get by isn’t going to help you succeed in your role (which means you likely won’t be offered an extension, a permanent role, or even another assignment via your recruiter). Doing your best work will showcase you and all that you have to offer. This will not only help you in your current role at your current company, but it will help you when seeking new opportunities. Remember, your personal brand is everything!
Take impeccable notes. To succeed in your role, you need to not only solve the challenge that you were hired to solve, but you need to do it nearly seamlessly and flawlessly. The best way to make sure you retain all of the requirements and information is to take excellent notes. Notes will help you ask better questions of your client to make sure you are meeting all of their needs and they will also help you recall important information when someone asks you about a process or decision.
If you’re looking for more ways in which you can excel in your IT consulting role, our recruiters are standing by to help! Contact Us for one-on-one support.
