[spiralhead]

Great article. I've struggled with this for my entire career. I get bored after finishing a major project and am left with miscellaneous tasks. But I've found consulting gigs to be elusive and companies seem reluctant to hire contractors. Even startups. So I risk being labeled a job hopper...

[fecak]

Consulting gigs, particularly good ones, seem easier to get for people who have built a network. People want to hire a consultant who is a proven entity, often referred by a first or secondhand contact. Referrals are really key unless you are interested in the lowest hanging fruit of gigs.