First let’s define what a “consultant” is. A consultant for a company can either be doing “consulting” where they are bringing in a specialize skill set and in

First let’s define what a “consultant” is. A consultant for a company can either be doing “consulting” where they are bringing in a specialize skill set and in the room who have a budget (CxOs) or they can just be doing staff augmentation where you are just another hands on keyboard coder embedded in a team. Personally, doing staff augmentation type “consulting” is the fifth level of hell. You’re treated like crap, are easily disposable and it really does nothing for your career. You’re also not paid all that much. On the other hand, “consulting” where you are bringing in specialized knowledge is great. You can charge and arm and leg is great. Which is better in slow economic times is just the opposite. Companies hire staff augmentation type “consultants” because it doesn’t increase headcount and they are easy to get rid of. Companies hire true “consultants” when they are going after new initiatives which they do less often during slow economic times. I’ve done a couple of staff augmentation type projects early in my career. A couple of true independent consulting projects later in my career and I now work as a permanent employee as a cloud consultant at $BigTech.