Professional I.T. Consultant shares thoughts about working with consulting & staffing firms.

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    If you're an I.T. manager, CIO or MIS director, you can quickly recognize the difference between resume pushers and companies who truly know the individual they are representing for an engagement. If you're a consultant, you know the importance of communication, fairness, professional representation and the need for a clear understanding of your skills and your desires. Walter Bristol, a professional IT consultant,brings perspective and insight to the relationship between staffing companies and IT professionals.

Question:
"Walter, what do you look for in a relationship with a staffing company?"

Walter Bristol:
"Well, it's funny you should ask. I knew the topic would come up so last night I thought of a way to make it interesting and easy to remember." (unfolds paper with hand written notes from coat pocket).

"The first thing I wrote down was the word RESPECT. I think that's so important. Then the rest came easy for me as I broke down each letter."

"R is for Relationship. Built between the contractor and the recruiter. Learn all you can about the person. Know about likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, career goals and even personal things like family, children, hobbies, etc."

"E is for Expectations. Said up front and fact-based. Orders can come from (as an example) HR where answers about expectations may not be complete."

"S is for Similarity. Search for similar projects for a smooth transition. Clients appreciate having someone who can quickly take on the task."

"P is for Punctuality. Get back to the consultant in a specified time, even if you don't have all the answers you promised. They understand the need to be punctual with you, and after you get them interested in a new engagement, they like to feel part of the process."

"E is for E mail. Use your tools. Consultants track projects and opportunities electronically and their first and most comfortable form of communication is E-mail. They appreciate timely messages like 'Thanks for your time and consideration regarding . . .', even birthday and other personal notes."

"C is for Compensation. If the job changes and additional skills or activities are required, be flexible. Focus on the relationship you're building with the contractor ... that can go further than this one engagement."

"T is for Truism. If there are issues with a client, bring the consultant in on it. Interviewing style, the resume, training and other issues also need to be addressed truthfully and honestly."

"I hope this helps."

Walter's final thoughts:
"I know it can vary with each of us ... we are people, individuals, but I feel this pretty well says it. The word 'Respect', I think, is really important and your clients will see that when I'm out at their site."

"And remember that loyalty is hard to come by, and takes time. Respect me and my skills and see what happens. I know from experience how far it will go."

BIO -- Walter Bristol: After obtaining an Electrical Engineering degree from Northeastern University, Walter was employed for 5 years with Motorola. He later joined Andersen Consulting where he learned "Big Six" methodologies. Walter then became an independent consultant and has been a trainer, facilitator and panelist for many professional and non-profit organizations. For more information, contact him at bristolw@optonline.net .