It’s almost impossible for any organization to manage all of its IT needs in-house. That is just the way that the business works. However, hiring a professional IT consultant in San Diego isn’t always the most streamlined process. Hiring the wrong IT consultant can also be potentially devastating in terms of lost time and revenue. Luckily, most companies make the same mistakes, which makes avoiding them in the future that much easier. 

1. Not Conducting a Formal Interview – Many companies make the mistake of hiring an IT consultant without first conducting a formal interview. Instead, they base their hiring decision solely on an individual’s certifications and past work experience. Unfortunately, those criteria are not effective for determining a consultant’s fit within a specific organization. Taking the time to conduct a formal interview ensures that the IT consultant can provide the right level of IT support, and shares the same vision and values as the hiring organization.
2. Not Understanding Fair Compensation – Consultant compensation should be based on industry standards, regional standards, industry experience, and expected project length. Failing to accurately account for each of these factors when determining compensation rates can lead to one of two possible negative scenarios. One, the organization overpays the consultant for their work which obviously damages long term profitability. Two, the organization makes offers that are consistently low which impacts their ability to find a qualified consultant in an acceptable timeframe.
3. Not Clearly Outlining Consultant Expectations – The biggest mistake that most organizations make when hiring an IT consultant is a simple failure to clearly communicate project expectations. It is important that organizations ensure that neither side is making any assumptions about any facet of project expectations. Everything from consultant availability to parking procedures and office dress code should be discussed prior to the signing of any contract.

While these are the most common mistakes, it is by no means a comprehensive list. Avoiding these mistakes will eliminate most problems, but it is important to remember that every industry and consultant is unique.

If you are interested in hiring an IT consultant, learn more about managed IT services in San Diego from Syndeo Communications. Our IT support and consulting experts can support your current project or on-site staff and give you peace of mind knowing they have the experience and training needed to meet your goals and satisfy expectations. Call us today at 760-650-3300 for a free consultation.