Many with full time jobs thinking about starting their own IT consulting businesses might be wondering, “When will I be ready to leave my job and get going?!”  The following tips can help you get a better idea of steps you can take before you take that final step to jump ship and go full-time into your own IT consulting adventure.

Moonlighting is Essential

IT professionals itching to start their very own computer consulting businesses and experience a smooth transition should definitely test their skills first as moonlighters before going full time.  Work moonlighting into long lunch hours, late start days or weekends and see if you like it.  Then start to make a plan for doing it more often and easing your way out of your current position. 

Moonlighting Should Have a Purpose

The purpose of moonlighting needs to be to secure STEADY computer consulting clients that need you on a regular basis – at least once or twice per month.  You shouldn’t go for only emergency, break-fix clients unless you want a future that is unstable and risky.  Make sure you are seeking out those that can and are willing to afford to pay you competitive rates and are interested in long-term support, even if you are not full time at the beginning.

Take it Easy on the Training

As you start to think about leaving your current position and starting a job as a full-time IT consulting professional, don’t overdo the IT training.  Skills-wise, you are probably a year to 18 months ahead of what small businesses will require of a computer consultant, so you’ll be just fine.  Spend time instead sharpening soft skills/business skills you will need to go whole-heartedly into an IT consulting career.

The Bottom Line About Starting Your Own IT Consulting Business

When you are thinking about starting your own IT consulting business, focus on moonlighting with potentially long-term, high-paying small business clients and learning how to adopt and learn the business skills you will need to survive once you are ready to leave your current job for good.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg