INTJ as "Consultant" (?) Anyone do this?

[Winklepicker]

For those who have already combed through all those INTJ sites for "satisfying" career suggestions, you may recall seeing "Consultant" quite high on the list.

How does this role reconcile with the introverted aspect of INTJ ? I know all types can periodically step into different roles which are not in the natural comfort zone, but it seems to me that a very large percentage of the "Consultant" role is more outgoing people interactions/"shmoozing"/networking/managing (unless I am wrong?).

-Does anyone here have experience in this role?
-How was it for you? Was it draining or did you start to adapt in some way that made it less draining?
-Would you recommend this role to another INTJ? Why/why not? (this feels like an essay)

[Thinker]

Yes
I am a consultant CFO.
I was CEO/Partner in a large accounting firm before this.

I have learned to be a "people person"
You can learn any skill if you want to...or need to.

I don't have to network much any more...other than the friends I have made

In fact the best experience I had through work was being exposed to direct client interaction very early. I am drained by certain business interactions...but can deal with one on one easily.

Currently I only have 2 clients that keep me as busy as I want to be.

[Feral]

This is something I've been thinking about as well. I don't want to deal heavily with finances though. I end up being the advice person for everyone anyway, why the hell can't I get paid for it! :P

[Causa Mortis]

My offical title is consultant. I just do highly technical shit. An ENTP does the marketing.

[mllebrie]

I've worked at different pharmacies throughout the chain, not all of them, since there are hundreds, but, let's see, five or six. I would love to have a job where I could go in, observe the workflow and such, and lay down the law and get some of those places to a more functional state. There are techs who do just that, but they've been around for years and I have no interest in doing this job that long.

[Daoist]

but it seems to me that a very large percentage of the "Consultant" role is more outgoing people interactions/"shmoozing"/networking/managing (unless I am wrong?).

I think you are mostly wrong.* As others have mentioned, there is the sales aspect of it, and then the actual number crunching. You're not going to be in a caccoon for that part, but the people interaction part of the job is very focused, so it's not like you have to make small talk about Sunday football. (Some of it is occasionally even corporate espionage :) .) You're basically gathering 'data' points to analyze. Really, the entire job is about treating people as numbers. There is generally enough analytical work that you can largely skip the pure schmoozing if you like, if working for a larger company at least.

*Consultant means a number of things though. I'm talking mostly about classic management consulting.

[envirodude]

I moonlight as an engineering consultant. Highly recommended.

[Episteme]

-Does anyone here have experience in this role?
-How was it for you? Was it draining or did you start to adapt in some way that made it less draining?

On and off for the last 15 years or so. I worked for a marketing consulting firm, where I also helped clients with technology - everything from websites to graphic design and fixing computers. I love it, except the people part, but that's not too bad since usually there's an easy goal to focus on instead of chit chat. I didn't like being called weird hours, never being able to plan when I would work because so much was last second. Now I have a sort of normal job where I get about 30 hours a week, which I keep for health insurance and a regular schedule. Plus they let me do whatever I want. I make loads more per job/hr consulting, and now just do that on the side.


-Would you recommend this role to another INTJ? Why/why not? (this feels like an essay)
Yes, if they can do it without making people cry. But I'd recommend not doing it free lance. Have office hours in big fat red letters on your card.

[ppu6502]

I was actually thinking, since I only work like 2 hours a day to fill my fulltime job obligations, it would be nice to consult on the side. I don't really know how to queue up clients, though, so I haven't started.