Is it professional to quit my consulting job and start working for a client?
I’ve been a consultant for many years and currently own my own consulting firm. Based on my experience, I recommend that you take the job with the client if it’s a better situation for you. People jump ship all the time (I jumped ship 15 years ago from the client company to the consulting firm). It’s a fact of life in business — especially with consulting firms whose people often eventually tire of the long hours and extensive travel. As the owner of a consulting firm, I have had sub-contractors who have received offers from the client and who have jumped ship. My philosophy is that I want everyone to be happy: clients and sub-contractors and anyone else in the equation. I chalk it up to “good will.” It is in the best interest of any consulting firm to maintain good relations with its ex-consultants. Today’s consultant (or sub-contractor) could easily become tomorrow’s client. Most consultants are pretty sharp and end up with good jobs after leaving the consulting firm. They’re very l
