Trading Places -- From Contract to Full Time

  Career Development  

Thinking about trading places and going from contract consultant to direct hire, full-time staff? Well, just make sure that you have carefully examined your decision and how you are going to sell yourself during that next interview. After all, nobody is going to hire a consultant in a full-time position if they believe that there might be a chance you may jump ship in few months when the economy picks up again. Employers want to believe the fairy tale that even though they may cut your position in the next "reorganization," you should be prepared to build an exclusive career with them. This is a pretty tough sell if you have been a successful consultant to this point.

I was sitting in on an interview the other day to observe current interview techniques in order to prepare coaching for interview training, when I heard a question that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The manager was interviewing a consultant who was applying for a full-time position within the company. During the course of the interview, there was lots of praise about that consultant's resume and accomplishments. In short, nothing but good vibes were being sent the candidate's way. Naturally, the consultant took the praise in stride. He had certainly heard it all before, since that is exactly why people retained him, for his exceptional expertise and impeccable references.

Then the …

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