Looking for some advice with challenges in my consultant gig

Anonymous

January 18,2023 at 5:42PM UTC

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Looking for some advice with challenges in my consultant gig

I'm 1 month into a 3 month contract with a great start up. 3 weeks ago, they hired a full-time member of staff in a position to complement what I was hired to do. I'm finding this individual has also been tasked with items I was hired for, and they aren't complementing my efforts - just taking them over. They are also full-time (I'm only 14 hours a week), in the same timezone, and able to travel for in-person meetings. (Im in a different country).

I've elected to take a back seat and become more reactive based on direction from the full-time hire to avoid duplicating efforts, and I'm only a contractor (which I'm ok with!). The owners have adjusted my work plan three times, and now I'm feeling very reactive (which i hate), and also not needed. This FT is going in and changing my work (would much prefer feedback so i can learn as needed and change it up going forward).

Ive suggested a weekly 1:1 with FT hire to make us more collaborative and try and make them aware I'm here to help, but honestly, they don't seem to want it (I think they want to determine their place in the org - which I'm fine with, I'm looking for more practical FT opportunities of my own).

Any tips on how to deal with this situation? I'm starting to wonder if I just bow out rather than try to keep making it work. Honestly, the FT hire taking over my work with no explanation (but meeting with the owners without me on them) is incredibly frustrating and not sure if worth it for me.

P.S. Apologies for bad grammar here... frustrated typing :)

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AnonymousJanuary 18,2023 at 8:43PM UTC
Since you only have 60 days left in your contract, use the time on planning your next move and network. Get your resume up to date and your LinkedIn profile polished.
It's a steady short-term gig that I'm assuming pays well. Just do what you can and ride it out. 60 days will go by in a blink of an eye.
AnonymousJanuary 23,2023 at 6:56PM UTC
Look for a new role do exactly what they want you to do per the T&C - terms and conditions of your contract. Speak to the person who hired you and confirm that during this next 60 days that you want to add the most value by supplementing what the FTE is doing. Let them know that as a consultant you want to support and knowledge transfer what you know to them to help them get settled. Don't personalize it, as a contractor you are a hired gun, do only what they hired you to do.
AnonymousJanuary 25,2023 at 2:21PM UTC
You only have 2 months left with this contract job. The person is a FTE and is in the process of getting up to speed. You will need to find your next gig in 2 months so I would start looking now.
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 6:07PM UTC
I agree with the previous comments. As a frequent contractor myself, I would start looking for my next role, and take the next two months of guaranteed paychecks to do it. I'd also look at what projects or contributions you can take away from this role and put on your CV / add to your skill set to help launch you onto the next thing. It's great to find something bigger and better where you are fully valued.
Kathryn MontbriandFebruary 2,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
One add to the great tips from other commenters.
Use the remaining time to create a smooth transition off. Document what you did, make it easy to hand off to the FT hire or whoever will come in behind you.
This will pave the way for future contracting (or full time) opportunities. Careers are long and you never know when you'll run into people you worked with previously.