I spend my days thinking about people.  How can we find the very best IT consulting talent that will deliver the highest quality work across the domains and technologies that we’re focused on?  Where are they in their careers today and where do they want to grow in their next role? Should I focus on people who work for Big Consulting Firms today, should I look at freelance consultants, or should I go after proven, high-impact solution architects, engineers, and other technical roles that currently work as full-time employees within software companies?  

It turns out that candidates from all three categories have turned out to be great IT consultants. But – especially when I’m starting conversations with people who are not currently working as consultants – I’m frequently asked a seemingly simple question:  

What is an IT consultant? 

Businesses are evolving faster than ever, and the technologies underpinning them change even faster. As organizations adopt new software, migrate workloads to the cloud, and embrace AI-driven solutions, they need help. This is where IT consultants play a key role, and it’s nothing new. 

For decades, companies have brought in IT consultants to augment their existing staff when the need for technical guidance and expertise overwhelmed their in-house teams. IT consultants can act as project managers, architects, engineers, or other technical roles to fill gaps that are necessary to get technology projects and implementations off the ground.  

And in today’s world of lean management and sprint-based engineering, it’s no wonder the idea of a fractional workforce comprised of IT consultants has really taken off.  

IT consulting has become one of the most dynamic and rewarding career paths in technology. For professionals with strong technical skills who value variety, flexibility, and continuous growth, consulting offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact across many different companies and industries. And with modern technologies, it can be easier than ever to find consulting work. 

Ok, so what exactly does an IT consultant do? 

An IT consultant is a technology professional who helps organizations solve complex technical challenges that, in turn, satisfy business goals. Depending on the engagement, an IT consultant might assess a company’s current infrastructure, design a modernization roadmap, implement new systems, or optimize existing tools for better performance and security. Common consulting projects include cloud migrations, AI and automation initiatives, cybersecurity audits, data strategy and analytics, and system upgrades or software integrations. 

Some IT consultants operate independently, finding projects on their own or through professional networks. Others work through platforms or consulting firms that connect them with clients, handle contracts and logistics, and provide access to larger enterprise-scale opportunities.  

Entelligence, for example, has been in the IT consulting business for decades, hiring white-labeled consultants to execute professional services on behalf of large technology companies like Palo Alto Networks and VMware by Broadcom. Today, Entelligence also offers a Talent Platform that makes it even easier for consultants and the companies needing their services to connect with each other. 

Core skills and traits of successful IT consultants 

I’ve found that the most successful IT consultants blend deep technical expertise with strong communication and problem-solving skills. On the technical side, consultants should have proficiency in key areas such as cloud computing, networking, systems architecture, data management, cybersecurity, and software implementation.

Many specialize in specific technologies — like VMware, AWS, Databricks, or Snowflake — and are constantly learning and growing, acquiring credentials such as:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator

But technical skills alone aren’t enough. Top consultants also excel at client management, adaptability, and collaboration; in other words, knowing how to translate complex technical details into business outcomes. Perhaps most importantly, they embrace a growth mindset. The best IT consultants are lifelong learners who constantly seek opportunities to expand their skillsets, explore emerging tools, and stay ahead of new trends shaping the technology landscape. 

The benefits of being an IT consultant 

A career as an IT consultant offers a unique combination of professional growth, flexibility, and impact. Because consultants work across a variety of industries and technologies, they gain exposure to diverse projects and complex technical environments that continually expand their expertise. Many also enjoy higher earning potential compared to traditional full-time roles, especially as they build specialized skills that are in high demand. 

Consulting also provides flexibility — you can choose projects that align with your interests, preferred technologies, or desired work-life balance. Perhaps most rewarding, IT consultants can see the direct results of their work, helping organizations launch new systems, secure their networks, or optimize their operations in measurable ways. Over time, this combination of technical mastery and business understanding helps consultants grow into strategic advisors who shape the digital transformation of entire enterprises. 

The downsides to being an IT consultant 

While IT consulting can be highly rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. Independent consultants, in particular, face the reality of unpaid downtime between projects, lack of employer-provided benefits such as health insurance or paid time off, and administrative burdens like managing contracts, taxes, and invoicing. Because consultants are typically brought in for specific deliverables, they may not experience the same sense of long-term belonging or job security that comes with being part of a permanent team. 

There’s also little protection in terms of severance or guaranteed hours. Projects can shift, pause, or conclude unexpectedly. However, these drawbacks mainly apply to freelance or self-employed consultants. Those who work with as part of a consulting firm or platform often enjoy more stability, predictable engagements, and access to benefits similar to those of full-time employees, without losing the flexibility and variety that make consulting so appealing in the first place. 

How to get started as an IT consultant 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the steps you should take if you want to break into IT consulting.  

1. Start by thinking through your core strengths and areas of specialization. Assess your technical expertise, whether that’s in cloud architecture, networking, security, or software deployment. 
2. Identify the problems you’re best equipped to solve for clients.  
3. Build a strong professional profile that showcases your skills, certifications, and project experience. Platforms like LinkedIn or specialized consulting marketplaces can help you get noticed by potential clients. 
4. Once your foundation is in place, expand your credentials through certifications that align with your chosen path — such as AWS, VMware, or ITIL — to validate your expertise.  
5. Then, connect with professional networks or platforms like Entelligence, which streamline the process of finding high-quality projects with leading software vendors and enterprise IT teams.  
6. Finally, commit to continuous learning. Technology evolves quickly, and consultants who stay current with emerging tools and trends will always remain in demand. 

Summary: IT consultants are a critical force in the modern technology landscape 

As software continues to evolve and grow more complex, IT consultants play a vital role in bridging the gap between innovation and implementation. They ensure that new technologies not only get deployed, but deliver measurable value for the organizations that adopt them. In today’s era of fractional work, where companies increasingly depend on specialized expertise delivered on demand, the contribution of skilled consultants has never been more important. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your IT career and work alongside world-class technology partners, consider joining the Entelligence Platform to see how your expertise can make an impact.