What Are the Most Popular Career Destinations for Consultants? Success Stories and Key Cautions Revealed

As consultants gain experience and build their track record, many become increasingly conscious of career advancement. While staying on to pursue promotion and advancement within your current firm is one path, job hunting is also a highly viable option.

If you can envision a career path where a job change leads to higher income and better conditions, you’ll likely find even greater fulfillment in your current work as well.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the most popular industries and job types for consultants making a career move, as well as key tips for a successful job search.

Popular Industries and Job Types for Post-Consultant Career Moves

There is a wide variety of industries and job types that are popular destinations for consultants making a career change. However, the best fit varies greatly depending on your area of specialization, age, position, and experience as a consultant.

Below are representative examples of career-change destinations, organized by career stage.

The recommended industries and job types, organized by field, are shown in the table below. Use this as a reference when considering career-change destinations that align with your own career plan.

PE Funds

PE funds (Private Equity Funds) are investment funds that primarily acquire equity stakes in unlisted companies, enhance their corporate value, and then exit to generate returns. Because they are deeply involved in formulating and executing management and business strategies, a key appeal is the opportunity to leverage your knowledge as a consultant and contribute to a company’s growth.

In terms of career moves, candidates from strategy consulting backgrounds and those with finance experience tend to be at an advantage, and specialized skills as well as English proficiency are also highly valued. In addition to a base salary, bonuses and performance-based compensation are available, and significant income can be expected depending on how much a company grows. However, the number of openings is limited and competition is fierce.

In the latter half of this article, we introduce success stories of transitions to PE funds.

Investment Banks

Investment banks are specialized institutions that provide sophisticated financial services—such as capital raising and M&A (mergers and acquisitions)—to large clients including governments, major corporations, and institutional investors. Unlike commercial banks, they do not engage in deposit-taking or lending, and primarily play a role in supporting corporate growth and restructuring.

Since skills cultivated as a consultant—such as financial analysis, strategic planning, and project management—translate directly, this is a recommended destination for professionals from strategy, general, and accounting consulting backgrounds.

Global mandates and foreign firms often require strong English proficiency, making this an appealing option for those looking to leverage their language skills.

Foreign investment banks offer high compensation levels and are a popular career destination for consultants. Bonuses and incentives tied to performance are also available.

If you’re interested in moving to an investment bank, please also refer to the success stories in the latter half of this article.

Corporate Planning, Finance, IT, and HR Departments at Large Business Companies

Large Japanese business companies are also attractive destinations for experienced consultants.

Many business companies have dedicated corporate planning departments that handle the formulation of management strategy and promotion of business plans, as well as bridging the gap between senior management and frontline operations. In such roles, the skills of a strategy consultant—backed by a track record of management advisory and advanced analytical capabilities—are often highly valued, enabling meaningful practical involvement in management.

Accounting consultants often move into finance departments at business companies, IT consultants into IT and systems-related divisions, and organizational/HR consultants into HR departments.

In all cases, the strategic planning and project execution skills honed as a consultant can be put to practical use, allowing for more active involvement in driving business growth. There is also the potential to aim for executive or leadership positions in the future.

However, if your salary as a consultant was high, there are cases where moving to a business company results in a pay cut. It is important to thoroughly verify compensation details in advance.

For more information on transitioning from consulting to a business company, please refer to the following article.

Recruitment Agencies and RPO Companies

For those with HR consulting experience, recruitment agencies and RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) companies are also highly popular career-change destinations.

You can leverage your experience in corporate hiring challenges and talent strategy to thrive as a career consultant or career advisor. Helping job seekers and counselees design their career paths is also a highly rewarding aspect of the work.

Career consultants are well-compensated, typically through a combination of base salary and performance-based incentives. High income is achievable based on results.

For HR consulting professionals, career moves to social insurance and labor consulting firms, corporate training companies, and career coaching companies are also possible.

Consulting Firms

For those who wish to continue working as a consultant, or who are considering a move due to dissatisfaction with their current employer, transitioning to a different consulting firm is also an option. Many consultants make this kind of move when seeking a company culture that suits them better or more flexible working arrangements.

If your experience is recognized at the new firm, it may be possible to improve your salary and overall compensation even while doing similar work. For partners whose current firm has a fixed compensation structure, a move to an emerging or foreign firm with a performance-based pay system can also be an appealing prospect.

FAS

For those who want to leverage their consulting experience while broadening their expertise, a move to FAS (Financial Advisory Services) is highly recommended. FAS is a specialized organization that provides financial advice and support to companies, including M&A advisory, corporate and business financial restructuring, and business turnaround support.

A key advantage of joining FAS is the opportunity to engage with diverse projects and gain broad knowledge and practical experience across finance, management, and legal domains.

Through handling scandal response and fraud investigation cases, you can also deepen specialized knowledge in compliance and risk management.

Foreign Companies

Foreign companies are also attractive destinations for those with consulting experience. A major reason is that the profile foreign companies seek—candidates who can hit the ground running and operate in a global environment—aligns well with the skills and experience built through consulting work.

Many consultants have worked on projects specialized in specific industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, finance, IT), and there are cases where they leverage that expertise to move into business divisions or corporate planning roles at foreign companies.

Specifically, a manager from a consulting firm’s pharmaceutical practice might transition to a marketing or business strategy role at a foreign pharma company, or an IT consulting manager might thrive as a Business Development Manager at a SaaS company.

Many foreign companies maintain a thorough meritocracy in their performance evaluations, and those who deliver strong results—even early in their careers—have access to a fast-track promotion environment. Compensation levels also tend to be higher than at Japanese companies, making this a strong option for consulting firm alumni looking to maintain or grow their income.

On the other hand, there is a risk of employment instability if results are not delivered. It’s also worth noting that foreign companies tend to offer fewer long-term employment-oriented benefits—such as severance pay, family allowances, and housing subsidies—compared to Japanese companies.

Startup Companies

Startup companies are highly compatible career-change destinations for those with consulting experience.

Consultants at the director or senior manager level often develop a growing desire not just to propose ideas, but to make decisions themselves and move organizations forward. At a startup, a major appeal is the ability to be involved in everything from strategy formulation and execution to building the organization.

In recent years, an increasing number of startup executives and senior management have come from consulting backgrounds, with many joining as core members from the founding stage.

The advanced problem-solving and project management skills that consultants bring are especially valued by companies in a rapid-growth phase. They are expected to serve as immediate contributors capable of strengthening critical functions such as business strategy, financial management, and organizational design.

At startups that have successfully raised funding, compensation levels have been rising in some cases, and there is an active movement to attract top talent.

Main Reasons Consultants Make Career Changes

The average tenure for consultants is short at 3 to 6 years, and job changes are more frequent compared to other industries. Here, we explain the main reasons consultants decide to make a career move, along with the background behind each.

Demanding Workload

One reason consultants choose to change careers is the demanding nature of the work.

Consulting work is characterized by workloads that can surge dramatically depending on the time of year, making long hours and overtime a regular occurrence. Being constantly pressured by client demands and project deadlines means working in a high-stress environment. There is also a significant volume of internal work, such as preparing documents, attending in-house training, and filing expense reports.

As a result, work-life balance can deteriorate and personal time becomes difficult to secure, leading a growing number of people to consider making a change.

Desire to Take on New Challenges

“Taking on new challenges” is another frequently cited reason for wanting to change jobs.

Consultants tend to have a strong drive for growth, but it isn’t always possible to fulfill that ambition within the scope of their current role. Many people decide to make a career move out of a desire to further broaden their skills and experience.

As they progress in their careers, some also develop an interest in exploring new industries.

While consultants are often required to develop deep expertise in a specific industry, the forward-looking ambition to further expand their career scope can also become a motivation to seek new opportunities.

Desire for Independence

Among consultants, going independent is a career path that many pursue.

By going independent as a freelance consultant, you are not bound by the constraints on working hours or job scope that come with being part of an organization. You can leverage your specialized knowledge and skills to provide services with greater freedom and discretion.

The increased freedom in designing your own career path is also a major appeal.

For Those Considering Going Freelance: “FreeconsultantJP” Is Highly Recommended

For those considering going independent as a freelance consultant, using a consultant matching site is highly recommended. These platforms efficiently connect you with companies seeking consultants, saving you the effort of having to build your client base through cold outreach from scratch.

One particularly recommended option is “FreeconsultantJP,” which boasts one of the largest numbers of consultant project listings in Japan. A diverse range of projects is available—spanning PMO, strategy, IT, new business development, and operational reform—making it easy to find engagements that play to your strengths.

Furthermore, dedicated specialist coordinators on staff support you through contract negotiations. There is also an abundance of projects with flexible working arrangements, such as remote work and schedules of two to four days per week, making it an excellent choice for those looking to achieve a work style that suits their lifestyle.

If you want to achieve both a stable flow of projects and a comfortable working environment as a freelancer, be sure to take advantage of “FreeconsultantJP.”

5 Key Points for Consultants When Deciding on a New Employer

During a job search, it’s common to feel uncertain about what criteria to use when choosing a new employer. Here, we explain five key factors that are especially important to prioritize when consultants make a career move.

1. Salary

One of the most important factors for consultants to consider when changing jobs is salary.

The consulting industry generally tends toward higher salaries, and particularly at foreign and major firms, it is not uncommon for professionals in their 20s to earn over 10 million yen annually. Consultants have high market value, and there are cases where the terms offered upon joining a new employer are favorable.

However, transitioning to a business company or a different industry may result in a lower salary. If you are aiming for a salary increase, it is important to thoroughly research how your experience and skills will be evaluated at prospective employers, compare offers from multiple companies, and negotiate strategically.

2. Compensation and Benefits

When transitioning from a consulting role, compensation and benefits factors such as job title, level of autonomy, and working arrangements are also important considerations.

For example, there are cases where the salary is high but you work as a regular employee, and cases where the salary stays the same as before but you gain significantly greater autonomy or a more senior title.

On the other hand, a growing trend in recent years is job seekers who prioritize ease of working and work-life balance over salary and autonomy.

The type of job you should apply for will differ depending on whether you’re aiming for further career advancement through the move, or seeking a less stressful environment.

3. Job Responsibilities

In order to make the most of your career, it is essential to confirm what specific responsibilities you will be taking on at your new employer.

For example, even within “management support roles,” the actual job content can vary significantly from company to company—ranging from corporate planning and formulation to financial management support, or even executive assistant work. In addition to the job listing, make use of the prospective company’s recruitment website to get as clear a picture as possible of the specific work and workplace environment.

Some companies will arrange a meetup or informal interview in advance, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out proactively.

4. Company Culture and Interpersonal Dynamics

The culture and interpersonal dynamics of a prospective employer have a significant impact on how you work and how satisfied you feel after joining. When a company’s culture and values closely align with your own, you’re more likely to find meaning and motivation in your work, and to thrive in the environment.

Especially in business companies, the character of senior management and the overall workplace atmosphere are important factors to weigh when considering a long-term commitment.

It’s also worth noting that consulting firms tend to emphasize speed in delivering results and individual performance, whereas business companies typically involve longer-term projects, cross-departmental coordination, and close collaboration with frontline operations.

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the differences between consulting firms and business companies.

5. Company’s Future Prospects

When selecting a prospective employer, be sure to evaluate not only the future outlook of the industry or job type, but also that of the company itself. If a company is providing services that are in demand by the market and has earned a strong reputation in its industry, you can reasonably expect future growth and a stable career trajectory.

On the other hand, companies that have seen a sharp decline in recent revenues, or that are actively reducing their mid-career workforce, warrant caution.

Such companies not only tend to create a larger-than-expected gap between expectations and reality after joining, but also offer little prospect of salary or benefits improvement. If your pay fails to increase even after years of service, or if improvements to benefits seem unlikely, the risks to your long-term career advancement and stability grow considerably.

If you have a specific company in mind, take a careful look at its financial condition, revenue trends, industry dynamics, and management vision before making your decision.

【Advice from a Former Strategy Consultant】3 Key Cautions for Consultants Changing Jobs

Here, we provide a detailed explanation of the three key areas consultants should be mindful of when making a career move: “skills,” “salary,” and “age.”

1. You’ll Need to Develop New Skills

If you’re transitioning to a role outside of consulting, it goes without saying that you’ll need to acquire new skills and knowledge. Identifying early on what skills your new role will demand gives you a clear direction for self-development and makes adapting to the new environment much easier.

Even when transitioning to a different consulting firm, the required knowledge and areas of specialization may differ, so caution is warranted.

In both cases, while your existing knowledge and abilities will remain relevant, upskilling will still be necessary. To continue thriving after the move, never become complacent—maintain a mindset of continuous learning and personal growth.

2. Depending on Your New Employer, Your Salary May Decrease

If you’re hoping to maintain a high income when transitioning from consulting to another field, be careful in your choice of employer. Many consultants—even those who are relatively young—earn high salaries, but it’s not uncommon for a career move to result in a drop to the average income level for your age group, leading to financial dissatisfaction.

If maintaining a high income is a priority, actively explore options such as transitioning to a comparable consulting firm, targeting management or highly specialized positions, or keeping an eye on high-level opportunities at foreign companies. By choosing an employer that values your skills and experience, you can sustain your satisfaction with your compensation.

3. Age Can Sometimes Be a Disadvantage

While consultants are generally considered to have high market value, candidates in their 20s and 30s are still particularly advantaged in the job market.

This is because companies tend to hire younger candidates with the expectation of long-term investment in their development and training. Be especially mindful that when transitioning to an unfamiliar field, younger candidates tend to have an easier time securing offers.

That said, even professionals in their 40s or 50s have a good chance of pursuing high-level career changes if they have standout knowledge or achievements—such as management experience, advanced specialized skills, or direct involvement in executive leadership. Conduct a thorough self-assessment and make sure to effectively convey the strengths and accomplishments you’ve developed throughout your career, backed by concrete examples.

Strategic job searching, making smart use of matching sites and recruitment agency support, is the key to success.

A List of Successful Career-Change Examples for Consultants

Here, we introduce by category real examples of successful career transitions made by consultants.

Success Story: Transitioning to a Foreign Investment Bank

Here is the case of a 32-year-old who transitioned from a think tank-based consulting role to a foreign investment bank.

Male, Age 32
8M–10M JPY

Previous Role: Think tank-based consultant
New Role: Foreign investment bank

The first thing to note is the salary. Post-transition earnings of approximately 8M–10M JPY represent a financially satisfying outcome. The core responsibilities—market and industry research and report writing—make full use of the analytical capabilities and knowledge developed during the individual’s time as a consultant.

This case illustrates how consulting experience is highly valued in a foreign investment bank transition. It is a strong option for those looking to advance their career and increase their earnings.

Success Story: Transitioning to a Major Foreign Company

Here is the case of a 33-year-old strategy consultant who transitioned to a major foreign marketing company.

Female, Age 33
8M–10M JPY

Previous Role: Strategy consultant
New Role: Major foreign company

Market research experience cultivated as a consultant is directly applicable in marketing roles as well. Beyond being able to contribute to product planning, development, and profit generation through sales, the ability to directly feel consumer response is also a major appeal of marketing work.

The post-transition salary of 8M–10M JPY, with the prospect of favorable treatment based on performance, is also a characteristic advantage of working at a foreign company.

Success Story: Transitioning to a Japanese PE Fund

Let’s take a look at the case of a 35-year-old who transitioned from a general consulting firm to a Japanese PE fund.

Male, Age 35
10M–15M JPY

Previous Role: General consultant
New Role: Japanese PE fund

In a PE fund, strong performers can earn even more than they did as a consultant—as reflected in this case, where earnings reached 10M–15M JPY. Core responsibilities include developing strategic models and preparing pitch materials, where expertise built during the individual’s consulting career can be put to good use.

PE funds also frequently involve situations requiring sophisticated communication skills, such as negotiating with banks. The potential for personal and professional growth is another major draw of transitioning to a PE fund.

Success Story: Transitioning to a Foreign PE Fund

Here is the case of a 38-year-old who transitioned from a foreign consulting firm to a foreign PE fund.

Male, Age 38
10M–15M JPY

Previous Role: Foreign consultant
New Role: Foreign PE fund

This individual has maintained a high compensation level of 10M–15M JPY after the transition. Core responsibilities include various lifecycle analyses and the preparation of materials summarizing findings, where the logical thinking and presentation skills developed during their time as a consultant are put to full use.

For those already working as a consultant at a foreign firm, foreign PE funds are also a strong career-change option. As global communication is the norm in foreign companies, the English proficiency you’ve developed becomes a compelling part of your self-presentation.

【How to Avoid Failure】Tips for Consultants to Succeed in Their Career Change

If you want to make an ideal career move, it helps to know the keys to success in advance. Review the following points beforehand to ensure you don’t have any regrets.

1. Think Carefully About the Timing of Your Career Move

Because consultants often work on projects that span several months, the timing of a career change is critically important. Leaving in the middle of a project can cause significant disruption to your workplace and clients, and can also negatively impact your professional reputation.

The ideal approach is to use any remaining paid leave after a project concludes, complete the handover and coordination with relevant parties, and then join your new employer in an orderly fashion.

If you find yourself in a situation where you must leave in the middle of a project, consult with your manager and relevant stakeholders as early as possible and make every effort to minimize the impact on ongoing work and project continuity.

2. Clarify the Purpose of Your Career Move

Before beginning your job search, you must first get clear on “why you want to change jobs.”

This is because your approach to the job search and the type of company you should target will vary greatly depending on your purpose. If you’re seeking stability, a large corporation may be the answer; if you want a challenge, a startup might be the right fit. Choosing a company that aligns with your own objectives is essential.

If your purpose for changing jobs remains vague, your criteria for evaluating job listings and companies will waver, increasing the risk of feeling a mismatch after you join. Take time beforehand to identify and articulate what is unsatisfying about your current workplace and what you are hoping to achieve through the move.

Once you have a clear focus for your job search, you’ll be able to make consistently compelling pitches in your applications and interviews.

3. Leverage Your Specialized Knowledge and Skills

To make your career change a springboard for advancement, be sure to specifically articulate what concrete value your knowledge and track record will bring to the prospective company.

For example, it is effective to frame your pitch around points such as: “I can contribute as an immediate asset,” “No training investment is required,” and “I can bring a fresh perspective to your organization.”

When selecting prospective employers, using your areas of specialization and core strengths as a filter will help you avoid a poor fit after joining. In your resume and work history, use specific examples to showcase the problem-solving experience, project execution capabilities, and logical thinking skills that define you as a consultant.

4. Make Use of Job Search Sites and Recruitment Agencies

By leveraging job search sites and recruitment agencies, you can gain access to confidential listings, high-quality opportunities, and openings at major corporations that aren’t advertised through public employment agencies or job listing magazines.

With high-level job search services, positions paying over 10 million JPY are not uncommon. These services offer an abundance of high-paying, high-quality roles in management, specialist, and executive-level positions.

Registering with a recruitment agency also gives you access to personalized support from career consultants and headhunters. They can assist with everything from reviewing your application materials and interview coaching to salary negotiation and post-joining follow-up, making the process manageable even for first-time job changers.

What Skills and Abilities Can Consultants Leverage in Their Job Search?

When consultants make a career move, what selling points do they have beyond their experience and accomplishments? Here are some specific examples.

Problem-Solving Ability

Consulting is a profession where practitioners are required to cut to the heart of challenges that have no clear right answer, and then select and execute the best possible solutions.

Through repeated exposure to the challenges of various industries and organizations—continuously digging into root causes, conducting data analysis and hypothesis testing, and deriving and executing optimal solutions—consultants build a robust “problem-solving capability” grounded in real experience. Make sure to actively highlight this skill.

The adaptability gained through consulting, along with the ability to drive projects forward while coordinating with both senior management and frontline staff, also lays the groundwork for taking on leadership and executive roles at a new employer.

Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are required in virtually any profession, but a consulting background gives this a particularly compelling edge. This is because consultants regularly interact with people of differing positions and perspectives—including clients and team members—and have spent years sharpening their ability to communicate effectively and build mutual understanding.

In particular, the ability to actively listen while respecting the opinions and perspectives of others—known as active listening—is indispensable for building trust and keeping projects running smoothly.

When making your case in a self-introduction or interview, describe specific situations in which your communication skills made a difference. Adding concrete examples will make your pitch significantly more persuasive.

Leadership

If you have experience leading projects or managing teams, highlighting your leadership is highly recommended.

In particular, high-difficulty engagements and projects involving diverse team members frequently call for a leader’s decisiveness and ability to drive things forward. The sophisticated leadership cultivated through consulting experience is a highly valued strength in the job market as well.

When presenting yourself, describe the scale of past projects you’ve led, the composition of the team, the challenges you faced, and the process by which you overcame them. Conveying this with specific examples will make your pitch even more compelling.

Logical Thinking

Logical thinking is an essential skill for any consultant.

It is broadly applicable to problem-solving, presentations, and improving overall operational efficiency. Strong logical thinking enables you to thoroughly analyze the background and reasoning behind any issue and arrive at well-supported conclusions grounded in data and evidence.

Logical thinking also enhances your problem-solving capability, helping you accurately assess situations as they unfold.

Logical thinking is highly valued in fields beyond consulting as well. It is a particular asset in areas such as management, marketing, accounting, finance, and tax—any domain that requires objective decision-making or working with numbers.

Presentation Skills

As part of their work, consultants must communicate complex challenges and solutions to a wide variety of audiences in a clear and persuasive manner. This naturally develops skills in structuring arguments, expressing ideas effectively, and making a compelling case.

Over time, consultants also develop the conviction to confidently deliver their views and proposals in a logical manner that persuades the audience.

The presentation skills honed through consulting—combining strong communication abilities and problem-solving acumen—are highly valued across industries and job types.

Frequently Asked Questions About Career Changes for Consultants

Finally, we address frequently asked questions from consultants considering a career change. If any of the topics interest you, be sure to check them out.

Conclusion

Consulting is a profession that opens the door to a wide range of career transitions, with no shortage of options when it comes to where to go next.

Options include moving to another consulting firm, transitioning to investment banking or FAS, or going the freelance route by launching an independent or boutique consulting practice.

The key to a successful career change is to clarify your purpose and pursue your job search in a deliberate, organized manner. Make strategic use of services like recruitment agencies, and build the career you’ve always envisioned.