1. Consider Joining A Consulting Firm As A First Step In Your Consulting Career

2. Establish Credibility As An Outsider

3. Most people have heard the saying you dont get a second chance to make a first impression.

4. In consulting, your first impression is critical. But more importantly, how you interact with your new client in the first week or two of a new project can be tied to how successful youll be on the project.

5. By extension, being part of an organization that can assist you in learning how to set things up properly can be critical to your career as a consultant.

6. Know when youre at a client site to consult and when youre there for staff augmentation.

7. Clients hire consultants for many reasons.

8. Sometimes theyre brought in to share their experience when dealing with similar projects. A consultants experience can help shape the direction of many of the projects in which he or she will participate.

9. However, there will be times when project direction has already been established. In these circumstances, youve been brought in not because of your sharable experience, but due to your specific skill set.

10. When this happens, its critical not only that you understand expectations beforehand, but also that youre able to stay on task once the project begins.

11. There are certainly ways a consulting firm can help you evaluate new situations and understand the role youre actually being brought in to perform.

12. Learn More At HealthcareIS.com Ways to Negotiate How to get the right contract Who to work with Tips for traveling consultants Receive weekly tips from Healthcare IS on ways to improve your contracting career.