Hello! I just got my PMP certification a couple of weeks ago, and I was thinking of slowing starting to branch out and do some consulting work as a side hustle. Does anyone do consulting work? If so, would you be willing to share your experience? Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Nov 10, 2022 8:06 AM
Replying to Jessica Schultz
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Hi Stephane,
Thank you for the reply! I would like to work with 501c3's (charities) as a way to give back to the community while earning some extra money on the side. I have looked at LinkedIn, Google jobs, etc, but I'm not finding side gigs (just full time jobs). Do you have any suggestions?
Your best bet, Jessica, is to go for freelance work: it allows you to work asynchronously and at the rate you need. There are many freelance work sites for writers and other professions. Fiverr comes to mind. Saving Changes...
Hi Jessica, I do set expectations with my clients from the start. However, that said, for my individual clients who are looking for one to one coaching, they all prefer after hours and weekends because they have work as well. When it comes to organizations, the story is different so I use my vacation days sometimes to take sometime off from my full time job and serve my clients if need be.
In terms of how I find my clients, mostly through word of mouth, LinkedIn, My Website so they find me.
That said, my own business have lots of potential but I am not putting enough effort to grow it for now as I have no time given that I have another full time job but I am building one block at a time but if I want to take my own business to the next level, I highly doubt I will be able to do both together. Hope this helps.
That definitely helps! Thank you so much for the detailed information. You gave me a lot to think about.
There was a time when your employer 'owned' you but that is no longer the case. That being said, you have certain obligations to your employer in return for your position and resulting compensation. Identify any possible conflicts including your time, effort, connections, technical considerations, communications, etc., and come to terms with your 'loyalty' to your employer and potential clients. Then look at the risks and consequences - are your 'side hustles' likely to impact your steady employment? If you have extra time and effort would it be best to apply it to your employment?
Myself, as others, have done both but not at the same time. I felt the conflict was too great and the worry too stressful. Job, side hustle, family, community and social life could become too much to deal with knowing my limitations.
Maybe you can discuss contract work with your current employer giving you more flexibility.
Hi Peter,
All good points. I'm in the very early stages of discovery right now to see if this is something that I want to do and can do. You gave me a lot to think about, so that's exactly what I will go do - think and plan (if I decide to move forward).
You can do Consulting work according to your expertise areas. It's possible to do this in parallel with full-time work if you organize your time in an adequate manner. Saving Changes...
Latha Thamma reddiSr Product and Portfolio Management (Automation Innovation)| DXC TechnologyMckinney, Tx, United States
¡Congratulations for your PMP! Saving Changes...
Latha Thamma reddiSr Product and Portfolio Management (Automation Innovation)| DXC TechnologyMckinney, Tx, United States
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