August 26, 2015 at 2:12 am
Hi all, long time member first post.
I've been working with the SQL server environment for around 4 years now, starting with 2008 and recently this year moving to 2014.
I tend to focus mainly on the SSRS areas and would say I'm pretty confident in my skillset in this area, over the past year I've dramatically improved my employers reporting structure from one page one dataset reports to mulipage multi dataset reports as well as modernising the look and feel along the way, ive also created a few dashboards for our CRM system.
I can also use SSIS (with the help of google) and have a little experience in SSAS.
I'm thinking about moving into a consultancy role, but have no real idea how to do this.
Has anyone here made the jump? Or know of any helpful sites?
Thanks
August 26, 2015 at 2:49 am
If you're talking about going solo:
Make sure you have 4-6 months income saved up. You'll probably need it.
Make sure you're comfortable with the non-technical side of things. Billing, finding work, contracts, agreements, accounting, etc
Make sure you're comfortable working from home and have a good set up there.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
August 26, 2015 at 4:49 am
Yes I was thinking of going solo, with a website showing examples of work and a linkedin account to back it up a little, I have relatively little out goings, rent to parents and fuel for car but having some backup funds is a great idea.
Ive noticed a couple of contract jobs on jobsites, 3 / 4 months work at £Xxx per day, so ideally finding a few of these every few months would be ideal.
Also looking at it from another way are there many agencies available for contractors to contact? Or is it pretty much all on your own.
August 26, 2015 at 5:28 am
Fuel, rent, groceries, phone and internet access, insurances, retirement savings, medical expenses, etc, etc. Work out how much you have to spend per month, it's often more than you initially thought.
Consultant != contractor.
Keep in mind that you'll no longer have paid vacation, paid sick leave or things like that (UK law depending), so you need to plan for those. Plan for the times when you don't have work for two months, etc.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
August 26, 2015 at 5:56 am
As Gail says, contractors and consultants are not necessarily the same thing. It sounds as though you are asking about contracting (as well as possibly about being a consultant). There is a thread here that may help you.
url=http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1692354-68-1.aspx
August 26, 2015 at 7:52 am
christop (8/26/2015)
Ive noticed a couple of contract jobs on jobsites, 3 / 4 months work at £Xxx per day, so ideally finding a few of these every few months would be ideal.
Finding those isn't so hard. Winning them is especially if you don't yet have a reputation established. Along with all the recommendations that Gail has provided, my additional recommendation would be to try to take a couple of small jobs (serially, not in parallel) that you can do after your normal job to test the waters and to build a reputation/brand before you go headlong into consulting.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
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