The workforce model is shifting. As new working generations enter the workforce and new tech seems to emerge overnight, the need for a continuous influx of new skills is urgent. That is why more and more IT leaders are building their tech staff to include workers of varying classification including full-time, project-based and temporary IT consultants.
Pursuing a role as a tech consultant may seem contradictory to what our view of a traditional career should like: staying in an organization for a long-term role. For many tech professionals however, their skills are in such high demand that engaging in regular contract work opens up a world of opportunities and a work lifestyle that is very enticing. In a quick pulse survey, LinkedIn users were asked, “what is your top reason for pursuing a career as a contract tech consultant?” The results showed that potential for higher income was the main attractor with 46% of responses, followed by a tie at 24% for flexibility and build new skillsets. Learning new industries as a response trailed in at 6%.
Even though this pulse survey is a small slice of sentiment in the industry, a career as a temporary IT consultant is intriguing. With the shortage of skilled tech workers continuing to impact organizations, the need for contingent staffing to fill gaps will continue to rise, creating a viable work sector that tech professionals can dive into.
Here are 5 reasons to consider this career path:
1. Flexibility Is a Key Component for a Temporary IT Consultant
While the meteoric rise of remote work has continued to level-off, the new affinity towards hybrid work environments is growing. For tech consultants, this is nothing new as the nature of their work within a contracted engagement often finds that working in-house 100% of the time is not always feasible. Working in-house requires a permanent seat and space in an organization, along with all the equipment and material necessary for job performance; for a temporary engagement, the time and expense may not be necessary. For example Stack Overflow’s survey of developers noted that while in-person work has increased, hybrid roles have stayed steady at 42%. This indicates a greater chance for workplace flexibility, particularly in a contract role.
2. Increasing Your Networking Circle
By increasing your engagements with different employers, and successfully completing projects for them, you bolster your reputation and essentially become a sought-after expert when companies need to work done right and fast! These introductions to new people, new companies and new industries build your rolodex and because of your accessibility as a consultant, make finding new opportunities plentiful. When you factor in the support and reach you can attain by working with a firm that specializes in tech recruiting and staffing, you can amplify your network growth.
3. Building Your Skill Set
To go along with the flexibility, your IT consultant status also allows you to carve out more time to strengthen your skills and attain new ones. By having a more autonomous schedule based on your contracts, fitting in training sessions and skill-learning opportunities might be easier than when working in a traditional full-time employment role. Especially if you are able to effectively budget your income from your engagements, fitting in small spells of education time will be worth it to add to your skill set.
4. Greater Income Potential
Speaking of budgeting, let’s revisit our latest Prosum survey where 46% of respondents noted that potential for higher income was their top reason for pursuing a career as an IT consultant. When searching for the top technical talent contract rate, not only is the tech industry one of the higher-paying industries overall, but specialized tech consultants in particular with top skills can negotiate attractive rates.
In a review of BLS data earlier this year, for a computer consultant (someone who designs/installs systems, works on cybersecurity, etc.), the average hourly rate was $55.14, the highest rate attributed to consultants of any industry. A quick search, however, and you can find roles for specialized skills that reach near or beyond $100 per hour. While it may seem that top tech consultant hires could be unaffordable, hiring contracted staff works out to cost-savings because the engagement is managed for time and scalability and overhead is reduced.
If consultants are concerned about the loss of benefits that full-time employment provides, not to worry if you are partnered with a reputable staffing firm. For example, at Prosum, consultants on assignment receive comprehensive benefits, including sick leave, Medical, Dental, and Vision offerings, 401(k), Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short / Long Term Disability, plus other voluntary coverages and various other perks. This is a package that is often viewed as top-level in the world of contingent workforces.
5. Demand for Temporary IT Consultants Is Only Expected to GROW!
Amidst the headlines of continued layoffs and a still shaky tech employment landscape, reports have noted that 62% of managers are planning on bringing in contract workers in tech. As Deloitte notes the demand for tech talent will grow beyond 7.1 million by 2034, increasing from estimates in 2023. Their survey further suggests that it would be advantageous for tech leaders to consider flexible work models, that includes using third-party providers, like tech staffing firms, to deliver a mix of talent — from full-time, to part-time, to contract workers and more.
Consider the Benefits of Temporary IT Consultant Jobs
There’s a growing case for opting in to a work lifestyle that allows you to showcase your tech skills and set your own work pace. With the advantages of flexibility, potential for higher income, learning new skills, and opportunities to network, it’s time to capitalize on the increased demand for IT consultants. If you are considering this type of career as an IT consultant, contact one of Prosum’s expert recruiters who can help guide your search and put you on a path to success, while also being part of a tech staffing firm that prioritizes and supports its consultants through the entire hiring and contract lifecycle.
