Benefits Of Consultant-Think - Best of reCareered

Tip #123: Think like a consultant and search for a new job like a consultant.

Why should candidates think like a consultant if you're looking for a full time job?

Because today's hiring managers hire consultants and full time employees the same way, and look for basically the same thing. Most full time jobs today can be filled by either a consultant or an employee, and there's not all that much of a difference in cost.

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A hiring manager needs help because he/she has a problem to solve. In today's complicated, technical, wired world, the manager's problem is usually pretty specific - even more so in today's environment where everyone is being asked to wear three hats. In today's time-crunched world the hiring manager is usually under a tight time-frame to solve that problem.

But aren't consultants much more expensive? Consultants do charge much more per hour than the hourly cost of an employee. But when you figure in benefits, taxes, office space, training costs, "ramp-up" time, vacation/sick time, risk of employee litigation or severance, the cost differential shrinks.

The primary reason companies hire consultants are for fast results, and to gain specific expertise of someone who has solved the same problem before. A hiring manager wants the same from a potential employee - minimal training and ramp up time, because the employee has already solved the same problem.

So how can you search like a consultant?

1. Stop trying to be a generalist (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2010/01/who-needs-generalists-anymore-best-of.html)
2. Individualize each resume to match the specific job description - remember cover letters often don't get reviewed (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2009/09/differentiate-your-resume-with-winning.html)
3. Brand yourself as a Subject Matter Expert (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/02/subject-matter-experts-rule.html)
4. Promote yourself as a Subject Matter Expert (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2009/12/career-change-advice-be-subject-matter.html)
5. Use Linkedin to brand your subject matter expertise (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2010/02/job-seekers-20-ways-to-brand-yourself_25.html)
6. Use Facebook to brand your subject matter expertise (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2010/02/job-seekers-20-ways-to-brand-yourself.html)
7. Use Twitter to brand your subject matter expertise (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2010/01/11-twitter-tips-job-search-in-140.html)
8. Use Blogs to brand your subject matter expertise (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/05/you-dont-have-to-be-shakespeare-to.html)
9. Use Online Portfolios to brand your subject matter expertise (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-online-portfolios-put-you-at-top-of.html)
   
10. Search Engine Optimize yourself - Get found when employers search the internet, resume databases, and job boards for solutions (http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-search-optimize-your-resume-pt-1.html)

If you're an experienced manager, you may be looking for a job that includes management, rather than detailed knowledge. But even in management positions, Subject Matter Expertise is hired, leadership is assumed based on past titles and accomplishments, rather than on a candidate's self-description of leadership.

Go for the Subject Matter Expertise....stay for the leadership.

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The Inside Track on Recruiters – Top 10 Tips: Best of reCareered
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