Want to be freelance but not sure when to quit your job?

The question as to whether you should quit your job if you are thinking of going freelance or selling your knowledge as a consultant starting a consultancy can be answered in several ways depending on your circumstances.

In any situation, I would make sure that before I quit completely I had some clients. Not potential clients but actual ones. Customers lined up ready to pay you for what you can do. No clients = no business, unless of course you have enough money saved up to last you at least 6 - 9 months (just in case it takes this long to get your first contract).Some consultants either start getting clients before they leave their jobs or they run their consultancy alongside their employment. This is not possible for many but for those who either work part-time or are in jobs where they can either devote some time and energy to developing their own consultancy ideas or have permission from their boss to pursue personal interests.

If you want to be a full-time independent consultant then make sure you not only have some clients first but also that you have a business plan in place. This means knowing how much you need to make to survive, how you are going to get the work that will provide the money, what your marketing strategy is, what your quarterly targets are.Any decision to start up on your own is like taking a jump off the cliff. Sooner or later, one way or another you will have to do it if you want to be fully independent.

Preparing for this is as much psychological as it is practical. Make sure you have support from those around you - your family mostly, friends, and colleagues. Having them 'swim' with you, cheering you on will make it seem easier than it would otherwise. If your closest aren't with you it can make it more lonely.

A consultant is a person who works by selling their specialist knowledge. So you need to make sure you have this knowledge and have the propensity and appetite to develop it as the industry it serves changes. You may also need to acquire a professional qualification or certification. So make sure you have the requisite bits of paper. As soon as you do quit your job you will need to figure out your own balance between the time you spend marketing and the time you spend delivering. If you are delivering a lot then you will have little time for marketing. Don't neglect this or else when you run out of work to deliver there will be nothing in the future.

So when should you quit your job?' Quit your job when you are confident you have all the above in place. This planning will make the landing softer than it would otherwise be. That's not to say it will be easy, it won't! It will be a long time before you feel really comfortable - but you will eventually. Be patient and you'll enjoy the ride.

So, in summary, before you quit:

Line up some Clients

Create a business plan

Get support from family and friends

Work out (at least in theory) your Delivery/marketing strategy

Be patient!

When you feel ready, go knock on the bosses' door, tell them you are going to start your own consultancy and get their support too. Be honest, clear and express your gratitude for their help in developing your career and giving you the opportunity to work for them. Resist the temptation to gloat or show to much de-mob happiness. Keep friends - never know if you'll need them again and they may well become a client.

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