After 16 years of working in corporate, Amine Ait Mokhtar, a seasoned project manager, took the plunge into independent consulting. In a presentation for Outsized’s community of independent consultants, he shared the strategy that helped him successfully navigate this career shift. If you’re also considering making a transition into independent work, read on to learn more about Amine’s insights. He discusses the questions to reflect on during this journey of self-discovery, key considerations for financial planning, and the steps to create a roadmap for your new career.
The motivations behind wanting to transition to independent work – or really, any type of life transition – can be divided into two categories: dissatisfaction motivators and satisfaction motivators. Dissatisfaction motivators are reasons why you don’t want to be where you currently are. These include feelings such as “I don’t want to work long hours,” or “I don’t feel valued at my job.” Maybe you feel stifled by a rigid working schedule, or dislike having to navigate corporate bureaucracy. Satisfaction motivators, on the other hand, serve as signals to the type of work you want to delve into next. Some satisfaction motivators include wanting to help your clients, sharing what you’ve learned, and feeling a sense of excitement about your work.
As you consider your next steps, come up with a combination of both dissatisfaction and satisfaction motivators. Dissatisfaction motivators are powerful, but they’re not going to point the way to the future by themselves. What do you want your future career to look like? Are you seeking autonomy, a better work life balance, or maybe more control over the projects you work on? Write these down, and use them to help guide your transition.
Before you go independent, check that you have a solid foundation of skills, financial support, and legal help that you can count on. Even though you may already be confident in your skillset, it’s just as important for clients to be able to see what you can do. For independent consultants, says Amine, skills across communication, collaborative leadership, problem solving, and strategic thinking are the top focus areas. You’ll come to find that mastering these four skills will pay great dividends down the line. Most importantly, know that in the age of AI and fast-paced technology, upleveling your skillset is something you’re going to return to again and again.
Next, prepare for a life of unpredictable income, especially when you’re just starting out. Amine’s golden rule is to save at least a year’s worth of expenses to serve as a financial cushion during the dead time between projects. Going independent doesn’t just mean you have to save money – you also need to get familiar and comfortable with ebbs and flows of income, learning to be emotionally and financially prepared for the inherent unpredictability.
Lastly, understand that you’re now your own legal department. Once you make the move from employee to freelancer, there will be changes to your tax status, likely a need to register your new professional status (not to mention some associated fees), and compliance nuances that you'll need to tackle. Research any relevant legalities in your country, and invest in professional support if you need it.
Once you’ve decided to go independent, create a Consulting Charter. Get specific with what you’ll be known for and the services you’ll offer, and brainstorm your dream clients. Take some time for self reflection to get clear on your mission, values, and target market. Then, craft a concise and compelling personal brand that aligns with your niche. Don’t try to serve all clients and solve all problems at once – focus on the overlap of your passion and skillset.
Now it’s time to define your brand and find a way to stand out. What’s your value proposition, what do you offer that’s unique? This is where your certifications and expertise come into play, and help you specify your services and create your niche.
One of the most important things you need to think critically about while creating this charter is your perceived value. You may know that you and your services are valuable, but do your clients? Focus on establishing perceived value by making sure that the benefit you provide is crystal clear to the customer. Use their language to show how you can solve their problems, and experiment with your messaging to get it just right. You can tweak your messaging by attending networking events and leveraging LinkedIn to share your offerings with the wider community, testing how it resonates with people unfamiliar with your work.
Once you’ve landed your first project, you need to deliver measurable value that can be useful to showcase to your next potential client. Ask the client you’re currently working with for feedback on your work, and refine your approach accordingly. As an independent consultant, you have little choice but to constantly grow and learn. From time to time, it’s inevitable that you’ll receive some criticism. Receive criticism with grace, and keep your focus on constructive, actionable insights that help you improve your work.
Different areas of consulting require different skills, and some of them may feel more personally fulfilling to you than others. At one end of the spectrum, there’s what Amine calls the Outsourced Asset. This means that you’re working, on a short-term basis, with clients who need your expertise for a specific topic. On these types of projects, you’re doing all the work on your own. Moving along the spectrum we come across the Trainer. Trainers use their knowledge to upskill other professionals, and they’re valued for their knowledge and communication, rather than execution on tangible deliverables.
Next we have the Advisor, who works alongside clients to help with decision-making. Together with the client, Advisors create strategies on specific issues that can move the business forward. Lastly, we have the Coach. Without necessarily focusing on a specific business problem like an Advisor might, a Coach helps clients unlock their potential.
If wearing more than one of these hats sounds appealing, Amine says to go right ahead. It’s always good to diversify your roles — just make sure that you understand and communicate the differences between the services you’re providing.
If you need more insights, explore different career paths and exit opportunities to transition into independent consulting.
Transitioning to an independent role is more than a simple career switch. It’s also a deeper journey into self-reflection, as well as a step toward greater personal growth and professional freedom. And when you treat the journey like a project — with meticulous planning, precision in execution, and constant evaluation of progress — you’ll find it that much more rewarding. But no journey is without its low points, especially one as ultimately fulfilling as designing a career on your own terms. So remember to stay flexible, welcoming any surprises and redirection with open arms, and enjoy the ride.