3 key takeaways from Devex's guide to global development consulting

Whether you’re considering transitioning to a global development consulting role from a staff position or you’re already consulting and want to leverage your experience for better opportunities, you can find targeted advice for every step of the consulting journey through Devex’s recently released Consulting 101 guide. The guide reveals countless tips for how to optimize every aspect of successful consulting — from advice on networking and the ways that CVs differ, to approaches for tackling tricky conversations around negotiating rates. You can download the complete guide to learn more, but to give you a taste, here are three key bits of advice inside: 1. Be specific when promoting your expertise Those pursuing a consulting career may have a wealth of experience across various sectors. But on your CV, you shouldn’t simply state that you’re an “independent consultant.” Doing so will not tempt recruiters to check you out. Be specific about the particular area you have expertise in, and don’t limit yourself to just one sector if you have experience across many. 2. Have a targeted networking strategy Many consulting opportunities go unadvertised, underlining the importance of networking effectively. It’s important to know who is ultimately making the hiring decisions. “If our interest is to explore consulting opportunities, my target would always be … [someone in a] technical area of interest — so maybe no need to target very senior people because they might not be involved in hiring consultants,” said Roberto Amorosino, a career coach and a former senior human resources specialist at the World Bank. 3. Assess the market when setting your rate Knowing what you’re worth is a big challenge for independent consultants, especially if you are new to the sector. When considering your daily rate, think about the market and your client. If you will be working for a small nonprofit or local NGO, price yourself accordingly. But if it’s something like a U.S. Agency for International Development grant or contract, you won’t have flexibility, as your rate will be calculated based on your background.