Part 1: what to expect and the realities of sourcing your first consultant role

Transitioning into the role of a consultant can feel both exciting and daunting. As a newly fellowed consultant, one of the most challenging realisations is that there’s no clearly defined pathway for securing your first consultant position. It’s rare for a consultant role to seamlessly align with your transition, particularly in your current workplace. For most, the journey begins with navigating fractional appointments and proactively building a portfolio of work over the first 1–5 years. This resource will help you understand the realities of this process and provide guidance on how to navigate this pivotal stage of your career.
 

The reality of starting uut

For many new consultants, their first appointment is unlikely to resemble the full-time, permanent role they envisioned. If you’re fortunate, you might secure a small fractional role (e.g., 0.1–0.2 full-time equivalent) at your current workplace. However, it’s far more common to face the need to piece together a portfolio of roles across multiple workplaces, often a mix of public sector, private practice, locum work, and short-term contracts.

Training colleges, while invaluable during the fellowship process, often fall short in assisting with this transition. This leaves the responsibility of sourcing and securing roles squarely on your shoulders. The process is rarely ideal or linear and requires a proactive approach, adaptability, and persistence.
 

Where are the jobs?

One of the first hurdles is identifying where consultant roles exist:

• Public Health Services: Look at hospitals in your city and state, and assess their recruitment practices. Some advertise roles traditionally, while others rely on informal processes such as networking and internal referrals.
• Private Practice: Certain specialties transition directly into private practice. If this applies to you, explore how private practices recruit, and whether opportunities align with your goals and setup.
• Interstate or regional opportunities: Depending on your location and commitments, you may need to consider opportunities in other cities, states, or regional areas. While these roles can offer a foot in the door, they may not always align with your personal or professional circumstances.
   

How are roles secured?

The recruitment process varies widely:

• Advertised roles: Most health services use traditional recruitment methods, advertising roles both internally and externally. These can be competitive, so positioning yourself early is key.
• Locum and short-term contracts: In many cases, new consultants enter workplaces through locum positions or fixed-term contracts. This provides an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, build relationships, and increase your likelihood of securing a permanent role.
• Networking and referrals: A significant proportion of consultant roles (locum, contract and some permanent) are filled informally through professional networks. Meet-and-greet opportunities, facilitated introductions, and referrals from senior colleagues can position you as a strong candidate for future openings.

Proactively building your portfolio

To create a sustainable portfolio of work, you’ll need to be intentional and strategic:

1. Leverage your network: Connect with colleagues and mentors who can advocate for you or provide introductions to decision-makers at desired health services.
2. Expand your reach: Use referrals to arrange informal meet-and-greets with leaders in health services you’re targeting.
3. Target specific roles: Identify the roles and health services that align with your goals. Tailor your CV, cover letters, and conversations to these opportunities.
4. Be open to variety: Expect your portfolio to initially include a mix of positions across multiple sites. It may include public sector roles, locum work, and private practice, often without a clear or consistent balance.
5. Plan for the long term: Building a portfolio that meets your professional and personal needs often takes 2–5 years. Be patient as you refine your focus and craft the balance that works for you.
   
    

The realities of employment

It’s common for new consultants to oscillate between periods of underemployment and overemployment. Finding the right workload can be elusive in the early years, but persistence and planning will help you get there.

Specialists transitioning predominantly into private practice may have a different experience, sometimes with more immediate options. However, for most, public sector appointments serve as the critical foundation for building their consultant career.
 

Key takeaways

• Transitioning to a consultant role is rarely straightforward or immediate.
• Fractional appointments and locum work are common stepping stones in the first 1–5 years.
• Proactive networking and relationship-building are essential to uncover opportunities.
• Be prepared for a mix of roles and sites as you work toward building a sustainable portfolio.

This is the first of a three-part series on building your consultant work portfolio. In Part 2, we will speak in detail about Navigating fractional appointments and the opportunities that working across multiple sites presents. In Part 3 we will then discuss the challenges fractional roles across multiple sites presents and how you manage this in your early consultant years.  The intent of this 3 part series is that you are prepared for the opportunities and challenges that creating a cohesive work portfolio presents that aligns with your professional aspirations while maintaining sustainability in your work-life integration.

In considering this transition, we invite you to book a complimentary 15-minute Career Call with a member of our Development and Career team. This is a valuable member benefit designed to help you get started on the right path.

For those who are ready for a more in-depth discussion or tailored support, we also offer 1-1 professional career coaching programs and single coaching sessions. Take the next step towards clarity and confidence in your career journey.