I was working with a client earlier this year who was feeling uncertain about her potential to move into ISO consulting. She told me, “I don’t have enough experience to step into consulting,” with a tone that suggested she had already accepted this as a fact. Interested, I asked her to send me her resume so I could see for myself.

I received a question recently from a student who had just completed their Lead Auditor Integrated Management Systems qualification asking:

“Do you have any tips on how to start out consulting in the ISO field? I’m self-employed running my own construction business but looking to transition out of my 36 years of building over the next 12-18 months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.”

Several years ago, I worked as a contract trainer for one of the Big 4. During my years of contracting and offering classroom training in Lead Auditor and IMS, I met hundreds of students. After one training week, I spoke with one of the students, Julie, and we later met for coffee. When we sat down, Julie gave me a notebook.

I had an ex-business owner say to me recently “Why would you stay in contact with past staff anyway?” In answer to that I’d like to introduce you to Talita…

Talita used to work for me. Talita resigned under bittersweet circumstances. There were tears and fears. However, I recently went to Talita’s 30th birthday celebration. Yes! I still got an invite! Guess what? Talita is much happier not working for me. And she is excelling at her new job too.

How often do you find yourself thinking this? It’s a common statement, and surprisingly, it’s not just from those who are new to the industry. You might be someone with years, perhaps even decades, of experience under your belt. Yet, when you think about your career, you feel like you’re lacking. You look at your LinkedIn profile or resume and fail to see the wealth of experience you actually possess. It’s as if you’re sitting on a goldmine but convinced it’s merely a pile of rocks.

You’ve all heard the stereotype about IT professionals, I’m sure. Masters of hardware, software, and all things tech, yet when it comes to chitchat and stakeholder schmoozing, they’re rumored to be a bit more… binary.

And you can often say the same thing about auditors, I’m afraid! Renowned for their brown cardigans and leather elbow patches, their ability to recite clause numbers and ISO requirements, they are sometimes playfully accused of being more at home with Standards, systems and procedures than with fun banter and building rapport.