Here is a great writeup on the basics of working for a consulting company (“body shops”). These companies hire talent and then farm them out to other companies who have needs–either cost control needs or specific skill sets, or both. This article talks you through some of the hoops around this process, what you can expect, and how to choose a consulting company to work for.
Scott also gives good reasons why people might want to be consultants, rather than employees:
A consultant is more free than a regular employee to circulate within his professional community and to take more jobs in more challenging environments. He can also get more relevant training. There’s no room in the consulting industry for wasting time — training must be good, and it must be for a good reason.
Some of the advice is a bit out of date (I doubt that “web development” would be considered a “new skill” anymore), but Computer Aid is apparently still around and the entire article is generally sound. I’ve worked for a consulting company or two in my professional life, both as an salaried employee and as a hourly contractor. I wish I’d read his advice then.
[tags]ask the headhunter[/tags]
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