The consulting industry is highly popular among second-career job seekers and those in their 20s and 30s looking to change careers, making competition fierce and landing an offer far from easy.
However, since many people pursue consulting for vague reasons, thorough research followed by a well-crafted motivation statement can set you apart.
This article explains the job content, roles, and essential skills needed to succeed in the consulting industry — aimed at those who want to land a job or make a successful career change into consulting.
Sample motivation statements for applying to various types of consulting firms and think tanks are also included, so please make effective use of this article as a reference when conducting your job search or career change activities.
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What Is Consulting? Deepen Your Understanding Before Writing Your Motivation Statement
A consultant is a specialist who identifies management challenges faced by clients such as corporations and government agencies, and supports business improvement and organizational reform through strategy formulation and implementation assistance.
In most cases, consulting work involves forming a project team for each engagement and repeatedly going through processes such as current-state analysis, issue identification, hypothesis formulation, and validation to provide the necessary support.
As the problems faced by companies and institutions grow more complex, a growing number of clients seek consulting support specialized in specific industries or fields. In response to these shifting needs, the consulting industry is seeing deeper specialization and greater diversification.
In the consulting industry, you may sometimes be required to gather detailed information through fieldwork, and the day-to-day workload can be broad, so a demanding pace is to be expected. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities to earn high income commensurate with the effort invested, making it a popular career choice.
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Consultant Roles
The consulting industry has a hierarchical structure similar to that of general companies, and is mainly divided into four roles. There is a structured system that allows you to build your career step by step in line with your years of experience and track record.
To clearly envision your future career path, make sure you understand the responsibilities associated with each role.
Analyst
When you join the consulting industry, you typically start out as an analyst. An analyst is a role that supports consultants and managers by collecting data, conducting market research and analysis, and reporting findings.
Analysts are generally expected to develop skills that will serve them well in the future while acting as an unsung backbone supporting a variety of projects. However, analysts are sometimes given the opportunity to speak up in meetings, and when their ideas are adopted, they can experience a strong sense of fulfillment.
Consultant
The consultant role is one step up from analyst. Consultants work directly with clients, leading the entire process from initial fact-finding interviews through to proposing and implementing solutions. They may sometimes be embedded within a client’s organization to support issue resolution, requiring a diverse set of skills.
Consultants also manage their own tasks while directing analysts. Task management and leadership skills are therefore among the essential competencies for succeeding as a consultant.
Manager
The manager role involves handling analyst and consultant-level responsibilities while also taking on management duties, supporting subordinates, and driving talent development.
Budget management for projects also falls under the manager’s responsibilities, and they take on a wide range of duties as the driving force of the team. The success or failure of a project often hinges on the manager’s capabilities, making it a role of significant responsibility.
Excelling as a manager requires advanced communication skills. Since the manager role is equivalent to a “supervisory position” in a general company, leadership and management skills are also essential.
Partner
A partner is a role equivalent to an executive-level position in a general company, and is responsible for considering the management policies and strategies of their own firm rather than focusing on client work.
However, it is not uncommon in consulting firms for partners to also take on a sales role. Building connections through activities such as hosting seminars for executives and senior management, and seeing projects through from business development to contract signing, are also part of a partner’s responsibilities.
The partner role has a significant bearing on the future of the firm, and is widely regarded as the ultimate career destination in the consulting industry.
The Appeal of Working in Consulting
There are four key appeals to working in consulting.
These appeals can also directly inform your motivation for pursuing a career in consulting. Review each one carefully so you can articulate your reasons clearly and specifically during an interview.
1. Work Globally Across a Wide Range of Industries, Both Domestically and Internationally
The consulting industry has a high proportion of foreign-affiliated companies, and you can work in a global environment where you collaborate with offices both in Japan and abroad to advance projects. After accumulating a certain level of experience, you may have the opportunity to support Japanese companies expanding overseas or foreign companies entering the Japanese market, giving you abundant chances to be involved in global engagements.
Additionally, because consulting covers projects across a diverse range of industries, there is a tendency to build a broad professional network. The challenges clients face are endlessly varied, making it a career where those with intellectual curiosity and a constant desire for personal growth can test themselves in an environment full of opportunities.
2. An Environment That Fosters Rapid Growth
One of the appeals of consulting is the ability to develop advanced business skills through hands-on experience and pursue rapid personal growth. From shortly after joining, you participate in projects as an analyst and accumulate diverse experience. This is a particularly recommended industry for those who can view a demanding workload not negatively but as “an opportunity for growth,” and who can apply themselves with a positive attitude.
Furthermore, there are many opportunities to interact with managerial-level professionals across industries and build relationships of trust. Through daily interactions with people at the managerial level, you can expect to improve fundamental business skills that are valued not only in consulting but across all industries — including communication skills and presentation skills.
3. Contribute to Society Through Problem-Solving
Consulting is a profession that allows you to contribute broadly to society through activities that back up clients in solving their challenges.
In the consulting industry, you may sometimes be tasked with turning around a company in financial difficulty. If your involvement leads to a successful recovery, it creates a positive ripple effect for the customers who use that client’s products and services, ultimately contributing to society as a whole.
The primary work of a consultant is to support clients, and you generally act as an “unsung hero” behind the scenes, so you may not always receive direct recognition from the public. However, when the products or services you helped create are praised by society, you gain an immense sense of accomplishment.
4. High Salary Levels
Consulting is generally associated with high salaries, making it an attractive career for those who prioritize compensation in their job search.
According to the “Survey on Actual Conditions of Private-Sector Salaries for Fiscal Year Reiwa 6” published by the National Tax Agency, the average salary for Japanese workers in fiscal year Reiwa 6 was 4.78 million yen. In contrast, data from Industry Trend Research shows that the average annual income in the consulting industry is approximately 9.87 million yen — more than double the Japanese average.
If you advance to a manager or partner role in the consulting industry, you can realistically expect to earn well above the average annual income, making it an extremely attractive profession from a financial standpoint.
It is an industry worth challenging for those who want to grow ambitiously while receiving ample rewards commensurate with their efforts.
Source: National Tax Agency “Survey on Actual Conditions of Private-Sector Salaries for Fiscal Year Reiwa 6“
Source: Industry Trend Research “Trends in the Consulting Industry“
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What Skills Are Required in Consulting?
In consulting firm interviews, the following skills may be assessed to evaluate a candidate’s potential.
When writing your motivation statement, it is important to craft the content and structure so that you come across as a candidate who possesses these skills, turning it into an effective way to promote yourself.
Logical Thinking
Consultants support the resolution of complex challenges that cannot be solved easily. Logical thinking is indispensable for analyzing the root causes of a problem, formulating and testing hypotheses, and then explaining the findings clearly to clients.
Even during the analyst stage when direct client interaction may be limited, there will be occasions when a consultant or manager asks for your opinion. To clearly convey your views to someone with a packed schedule, the ability to explain things concisely and logically is essential.
In the consulting recruitment process, case interviews are often conducted to assess logical thinking ability. Case interview questions frequently require using Fermi estimation to arrive at an answer, so it is advisable to practice before applying to consulting firms.
Problem-Solving Ability
Consultants are also expected to clarify the gap between a client’s ideal state and their current reality, identify strategies to close that gap, and provide ongoing engagement. Strong problem-solving ability is essential to fulfilling that role and delivering results that clients value.
It is not uncommon to build a long-term partnership with a single company or organization and support the resolution of multiple challenges over time.
To achieve sustained success as a consultant, you are expected to maintain an attitude of continuous reflection — not being satisfied with resolving one issue, but constantly thinking about what strategies to pursue in order to bring the client closer to their ideal state.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are also among the essential competencies of a consultant. Strong communication skills enable you to fully understand the client’s intentions and deliver highly accurate output.
In the consulting industry, even analysts are given a degree of say. Whether conveying your own opinions clearly in meetings to keep projects moving forward, or finding common ground among team members with differing views, communication skills are an extremely important competency.
Key Elements to Highlight in Your Consulting Motivation Statement
When applying to the consulting industry, you need to prepare convincing answers to the “why?” questions that recruiters will inevitably ask. Here we introduce the key points to keep in mind when structuring your motivation statement.
1. Why You Want to Work in the Consulting Industry
In the consulting industry, the ability to clearly articulate your motivation in your own words is essential. Building a thorough understanding of the industry and then answering the question “Why consulting and not another industry?” convincingly is the key to differentiating yourself.
Vague reasons such as “I want to grow” or “I want to do work that helps people” will not resonate with a recruiter. As a first step toward landing an offer, clarify your career goals and prepare to explain logically and specifically why it has to be the consulting industry.
2. The Background Episode That Led You to Pursue Consulting
When conveying your motivation, one of the most important things is to weave in the personal episode or background that led you to pursue a career in consulting. Motivation grounded in real experience adds persuasive power.
For example, incorporate elements that add depth to your motivation — such as the enjoyment you experienced solving problems in a past project, or an event that sparked your interest in corporate management or organizational operations.
3. Why You Are Applying to That Particular Firm
You also need to answer clearly the question, “Among the many consulting firms out there, why did you choose this one?” This is one of the points that recruiters pay the most attention to.
Research the target firm’s areas of expertise, track record, and company culture in advance, and then articulate your reasons for wanting to work there in a logical manner. Referring to the fields you want to be involved in after joining, or the themes you want to contribute to, will further strengthen your case.
Without sufficient company research, it is difficult to build a specific motivation statement, so make thorough use of the firm’s official website, press releases, and industry media to gather information.
4. How You Can Contribute and What You Want to Do
In both document screening and interviews, you will be evaluated from the perspective of “How is this person likely to contribute after joining?” When crafting your motivation statement, it is important to convey specifically what value you can provide to the firm.
In particular, including a clear vision for “what kinds of challenges you want to tackle as a consultant, and what kind of value you want to deliver” will more effectively demonstrate how well you align with the target firm.
For example, articulating goals such as “I want to be involved in supporting SME digital transformation” or “I want to solve organizational challenges through the design of HR systems” — linking the firm’s areas of expertise with your own aspirations — is a good approach.
If you are a career-changer with professional experience, demonstrating how the skills and experience you have built can be applied to consulting work will raise expectations for your practical contribution. Even when transitioning from a different industry, positioning your industry knowledge and diversity of perspective as strengths is an effective approach.
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Tips for Writing Your Consulting Motivation Statement for ES and Interviews
When writing a consulting motivation statement, you need to be mindful of how to structure the content and the key points of its composition. Specifically, keep the following three points in mind when crafting your motivation statement and aim to pass the document screening stage.
Never Lose Sight of the Purpose of Conveying Your Motivation
The motivation statement you convey in your ES or interview is simply a means to an end — receiving a job offer. Think carefully about what you should communicate to land an offer and how to frame it in a way that differentiates you from other applicants, then develop your content accordingly.
Once you actually start working as a consultant, you will be required to think about what is needed to achieve your objectives via the shortest route and then act accordingly. For that reason, conveying a self-centered motivation statement risks being judged as someone who “lacks the qualities to be a consultant.”
If you are unsure of your direction, try putting yourself in the recruiter’s shoes and thinking about “what kind of candidate they want to hire” — this should help clarify what you need to communicate.
Lead With Your Conclusion
To write a logical and persuasive motivation statement, adopt a structure that presents the conclusion first, using the PREP method.
The PREP method is a technique for structuring written content in the order of Point (conclusion), Reason (rationale), Example (specific example), and Point (conclusion). In the opening of your motivation statement, clearly state “why you are interested in the consulting industry, and specifically why you want to join this particular firm.”
By crafting your motivation statement according to the PREP method, you can also demonstrate logical thinking ability — one of the essential skills in consulting. If you can convey your thoughts clearly and in a way that is easy for the recruiter to follow, it simultaneously serves as a showcase of your communication skills.
Incorporate Your Own Real-Life Experiences
It is also important to incorporate your own real-life experiences into your motivation statement and use them to demonstrate how you have already developed the qualities needed for consulting.
Recruiters review the motivation statements of many applicants, so content that is similar to everyone else’s will not leave a lasting impression. Including a unique episode in your motivation statement tends to make for a more engaging interview conversation, and gives you the opportunity to have your communication skills recognized.
If you are unsure which experiences or episodes to include in your motivation statement, take time to revisit and take stock of your professional experience and student-life activities. Organizing the experiences that led you to become interested in consulting and ultimately apply to the firm, and reflecting them in your content, will add greater specificity.
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10 Sample Motivation Statements: Characteristics and Examples by Consulting Sector
There are many different types of consulting, each with distinct responsibilities and roles.
Below we have compiled the characteristics of each type along with sample motivation statements. Use them as hints when crafting your own.
Characteristics of Strategy Consulting
Strategy consulting refers to the type of consulting that identifies and resolves a client’s management challenges. It primarily provides the support needed at critical junctures that significantly impact a client’s future, such as launching new businesses, executing M&A transactions, and formulating medium-term management plans.
- McKinsey & Company, Inc. Japan
- Boston Consulting Group G.K.
- Bain & Company Japan, Incorporated
- A.T. Kearney K.K.
- Roland Berger Ltd.
Strategy consultants frequently work on projects for large corporations with global operations and government-affiliated institutions. Strategy consulting offers many opportunities to directly engage with and advise the senior leadership of companies and institutions, requiring a high level of expertise and knowledge.
Strategy Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 1
I am motivated to work as a strategy consultant supporting Japanese companies in their overseas expansion and driving the advancement of Japanese technology. I decided to apply to your firm because I believe that with your extensive track record in M&A and your strong global network, I can make this vision a reality.
During my university years, I was a member of the athletics club and ran every day for at least an hour over six consecutive months in pursuit of a spot on the ekiden relay team. The perseverance and consistency I developed through that experience are strengths I intend to draw on as I grow into a professional who can contribute to your firm as quickly as possible.
Strategy Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 2
I am drawn to strategy consulting because of the appeal of analyzing market conditions, formulating management strategies, and supporting organizations in solving their challenges. The “client-first” service philosophy your firm upholds resonates strongly with the professional values I have developed throughout my career.
In my previous role, I worked in corporate sales at an insurance company, engaging with approximately 100 small and medium-sized business owners and considering what proposals would be genuinely useful to each client. The skills I developed in building relationships of trust through consistent follow-up visits and thorough needs-discovery conversations — and converting those into closed deals — are skills I believe will continue to serve me well after joining your firm.
Characteristics of General Consulting
General consulting is a type of work that not only clarifies client challenges and proposes strategies, but also provides implementation support and operational improvement assistance. Where necessary, it also supports the restructuring of front-line operations and the implementation, maintenance, and operation of systems.
- Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC (formerly Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC)
- PwC Consulting LLC
- KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd.
General consultants engage not only with senior management but also with front-line employees, providing broad-based support. Projects frequently involve collaborating with specialists from various fields to drive initiatives forward, which is a defining characteristic of this type of consulting and demands strong teamwork.
General Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 1
I am attracted to the work of supporting organizational growth through end-to-end management support — from strategy formulation all the way through to execution — and this is what draws me to general consulting.
In Japan, many companies are exploring overseas expansion but lack the knowledge to follow through, leading to abandoned efforts. I believe that your firm, with its offices across the globe, is uniquely positioned to support the many companies that are unsure how to proceed with international expansion — and in doing so, contribute to Japan’s national interests as well.
When I attended your information session, I strongly sensed a culture that values teamwork. I hope to leverage the relationship-building skills I developed through club activities to collaborate with team members and contribute to our clients.
General Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 2
When my father’s company fell into financial difficulty and successfully turned things around with the support of a consultant, I witnessed the experience firsthand. Seeing it up close made me understand the importance of expert advice, and it inspired me to become someone who could support organizational turnarounds myself — which is why I decided to apply.
I currently work in the HR department of a manufacturing company, where I am responsible for recruitment and new employee training. While I find the work of improving the company through the lens of “people” rewarding, I could not let go of my aspiration to be involved in organizational improvement at a more fundamental level, which ultimately led me to pursue a career change.
Characteristics of IT Consulting
IT consulting refers to the work of implementing and supporting the operation of systems and software with the goal of improving and streamlining business processes. It also involves the role of evaluating cost-effectiveness, selecting appropriate tools, and recommending them to clients.
- IBM Japan, Ltd.
- Accenture Japan Ltd.
- Future Corporation
IT consultants sometimes take on the work of supporting business model transformation using management frameworks such as CRM and SCM. Devising and recommending robust information security measures to ensure systems and software can be used safely is also one of their important responsibilities.
IT Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 1
While working as a systems engineer, I grew increasingly eager to be involved at a more upstream level and support fundamental organizational reform — which is what led me to pursue a career in consulting. Many of the clients I worked with in my current role faced challenges that could not be resolved by implementing IT tools alone, and I began to feel the limitations of the support I could offer as a systems engineer.
I am strongly drawn to the fact that your firm approaches problem-solving from both an IT and a management perspective, helping client companies improve their performance. I, too, want to become a consultant who supports corporate transformation with broad knowledge and a wide-angle perspective, which is why I decided to apply.
IT Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 2
I applied because I want to work as an IT consultant supporting organizations in advancing their digital transformation and contributing to the benefit of both clients and society. Your firm, which provides consulting services specialized in the IT field, represents the ideal environment for me.
During my student years, I worked part-time as a private tutor, where I continuously thought about how to explain things in ways that each student could understand and provided ongoing academic support to help them overcome their weaknesses. The ability to think from the other person’s perspective and devise my approach to help them achieve their goals is a mindset I believe will also serve me well as an IT consultant.
Characteristics of Think Tank Consulting
Think tank consulting refers to consultants affiliated with a think tank who conduct research, studies, and analysis in specific fields on behalf of public institutions, and prepare reports and other deliverables. Based on their research findings, they also propose solutions to challenges facing national and local government bodies.
- Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
- Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
- NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting, Inc.
Most think tanks are affiliated with financial institutions or major corporations. The themes handled by think tank consultants are wide-ranging, covering areas such as urban planning, infrastructure, education, and social welfare — all of which have a significant impact on society.
Think Tank Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 1
I am applying to this think tank because I want to contribute to the revitalization of local communities across Japan.
My hometown has seen a severe decline in population, and it is painful to watch the town lose its vitality. Knowing that the same phenomenon is occurring in communities all across the country, I cannot stand idly by. I want to develop solid skills at your firm — which has an impressive track record in regional revitalization — and contribute to solving these challenges.
I have long had a strong interest in regional revitalization and urban development. During my university years, I engaged with the local shopping district association near our campus and brought to life a project to repurpose vacant stores as community dining facilities for children. After joining your firm, I intend to grow into a professional who can plan and drive regional revitalization projects from a broader perspective and support local cities in resolving their challenges.
Think Tank Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 2
I am applying to this think tank because I want to grow into a professional who makes policy recommendations related to elderly care and social welfare, and supports the improvement of welfare quality across society as a whole. My motivation stems from working part-time at a care facility during my university years, where I witnessed firsthand the reality of staff shortages and the difficulties faced by care workers.
Your firm takes an evidence-based approach to social challenges at the institutional and policy level, placing emphasis on actionable recommendations. I, too, want to contribute to evidence-driven problem-solving, which is why I am applying.
Characteristics of Organizational HR Consulting
Organizational HR consulting refers to specialists who provide services such as HR system consulting, recruitment consulting, and talent development consulting, supporting the resolution of challenges related to “people” and “organizations”. This also includes broader organizational support such as integrating HR systems following M&A transactions and establishing management frameworks in response to overseas expansion.
- Mercer Japan Ltd.
- Korn Ferry Japan, Inc.
- Aon Solutions Japan Ltd.
- Globis Corporation
- Coach A Co., Ltd.
Organizational HR consulting is a field that is attracting increasing attention amid growing focus on human capital management, and it is one of the professions expected to have strong future prospects.
Organizational HR Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 1
I am drawn to the work of supporting the growth of companies across diverse industries and sectors from the HR domain, which is what led me to pursue a career as an organizational HR consultant.
In my current role, I am a member of the talent development department at a manufacturing company, where I am responsible for formulating and executing training plans aligned with the company’s management goals. Through this work, I have come to understand — firsthand — that the growth of each individual employee connects to the growth of the organization as a whole, and I have come to deeply appreciate the importance of talent development. This experience sparked my desire to contribute to the growth of not just one company, but a greater number of organizations.
I also resonated with the “client-first” philosophy I found on your company’s recruitment website. After joining, I hope to draw on the knowledge I have gained from front-line experience to propose solutions that prioritize the client’s best interests and support organizational reform.
Organizational HR Consulting Motivation Statement — Example 2
The reason I am applying to your firm is that I want to support the sustained growth of clients through corporate culture reform and the rebuilding of talent development systems.
In my current role as a recruitment consultant, I have primarily supported small and medium-sized companies in attracting new graduates. However, even when a target number of new graduates is successfully hired, if retention rates are low, it does not translate into organizational growth. I came to believe that supporting the growth of small and medium-sized companies requires providing consulting services that address more fundamental issues, which ultimately led me to pursue a career change.
I believe that your firm, which provides comprehensive support for challenges related to people and organizations, would allow me to offer a deeper level of engagement and truly contribute to our clients.
Former consultants support you in preparing your application documents!
What to Avoid in Your Consulting Motivation Statement
Even if something represents a genuine reason for applying, there are “things to avoid” that are better left out of your motivation statement. Specifically, try to refrain from mentioning the following three points as much as possible.
Working Conditions Such as Salary and Location
Mentioning working conditions such as salary and location should be avoided as much as possible. Not all consulting firms offer high salaries, and when viewed over a long time horizon, relocation may well be a possibility.
If salary or location is included in your motivation, it becomes harder to convey “why it has to be consulting,” and it may also create a negative impression — so avoid it where you can.
Above all, salary and location are merely ancillary perks of a job offer and are not the deciding factor in your motivation. If you convey a motivation statement focused solely on these perks, you also risk creating the impression that “if a better offer from another firm came along, they would turn us down,” so be mindful of this.
A Career Plan Premised on Future Job Changes
In your motivation statement, avoid making reference to a career plan that is premised on changing jobs after gaining experience.
The consulting industry has a relatively high turnover rate, and it is not uncommon for people to choose to move on for c
