Can You Transition into Consulting Without Experience? Merits, Demerits, and Who Is Best Suited for the Career Change

Can you change careers to consulting without experience? What are the merits and demerits of making the switch? Who is suited for a consulting career? If you have these questions, read on. 

The bottom line: if you’re aiming to become a consultant without prior experience, it’s recommended to begin your job search by the age of 34.

As you approach 35, higher-level skills are required and hiring rates tend to drop, so if you’re considering a career change now, start your job search as soon as possible. 

In this article, we’ll cover the consulting job market for career changers without experience, as well as the merits and demerits of making the switch.

We’ll also explain who is best suited for a consulting career change, so be sure to use this as a reference.

Can You Transition into Consulting Without Experience?

Consulting is not a licensed profession, so it is possible to enter the field without prior experience. However, many job listings specify candidates “up to age 34,” so if you’re currently considering a career change, it’s advisable to start your job search early.

While consulting job postings rarely explicitly state “experienced candidates only,” the skills and expertise you’ve developed throughout your career will be highly valued.

Career Changes in Your 40s–50s Are More Challenging

Mid-career job openings often target candidates aged 28–34, and few consulting firms actively seek candidates in their 40s or older. Career changers in their 40s–50s without experience will find it significantly harder to get hired, as firms tend to prefer experienced professionals. That said, candidates with deep knowledge and experience in a specialized field are sometimes hired. Those who have worked at major corporations or cutting-edge companies, or who have experience in the consulting industry, may still have opportunities worth pursuing.

Who Is a Good Fit for a Consulting Career Change?

Consultants face physical and mental stress within complex internal and external relationships. The following types of people — those who can proactively overcome such challenges with a growth mindset — are well-suited for the role.

<People Well-Suited for a Consulting Career Change>

• Ambitious and highly curious individuals
• Positive thinkers
• People with strong communication skills
• Logical thinkers

Ambitious and Highly Curious Individuals

People who have a strong desire for high salaries and promotions and who actively build their careers are well-suited for consulting. Likewise, those with a strong curiosity who are always seeking the latest information and insights can thrive as consultants.

Ambitious and highly curious individuals tend to share the following traits:

• High self-esteem and ability to express opinions clearly
• Competitive nature and wholehearted commitment to everything they do
• Willingness to take on any challenge without fear of failure
• Positive mindset and consistently forward-looking attitude
• Strong desire for status and advancement
• Clear personal dreams and goals

Check and see how many of these traits apply to you.

Positive Thinkers

Consultants are required to understand the current situation, conduct research, analyze data, and take action. It’s a fast-paced profession with constant tasks, leaving little time to dwell on setbacks when problems arise.

For this reason, individuals with a strong drive for growth and improvement — and the ability to approach everything positively — are extremely well-suited for consulting. Those who can view problems as learning opportunities are highly valued in the consulting industry.

People with Strong Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential for consultants, both for building mutual understanding with clients and for keeping project teams running smoothly. Strong communicators are therefore highly valued in consulting.

Effective communication helps prevent issues before they arise and can also boost team morale. Those aspiring to become consultants are encouraged to proactively engage with others now to develop and strengthen their communication skills.

Communication skills encompass the following:

<What Are Communication Skills?>

• The ability to actively listen to others
• The ability to convey information clearly and effectively
• The ability to build strong relationships with others

Logical Thinkers

Among the qualities and abilities required to become a consultant, logical thinking is particularly important. People who think logically can combine elements without contradiction and organize ideas in a systematic, structured way.

Consultants must provide well-founded, objective, and analytical proposals based on data and information, making logical thinking essential. Strong logical thinking also enables you to communicate your ideas clearly to others and helps proposals get approved more smoothly.

Benefits of Transitioning to Consulting — According to Those Who’ve Done It

There are three key benefits of transitioning to a consulting career:

<Benefits of Making the Switch>

• Opportunities for personal growth
• Exposure to business management and expanded future career options
• The potential to earn over ¥10 million annually even in your 20s

Read on for a detailed breakdown of each benefit.

(1) Opportunities for Personal Growth

As a consultant, you’ll have frequent opportunities to work alongside talented professionals both inside and outside your organization, which naturally leads to personal growth.

Another reason is that consulting projects demand high-quality proposals and results. Client companies expect a professional level of service, and meeting those expectations requires delivering well-crafted proposals and measurable outcomes. To rise to those expectations, you’ll need to invest significant time — which means acquiring a wide range of knowledge and accumulating valuable experience.

Over time, this continuous process leads to growth you may not even notice until you look back.

(2) Exposure to Business Management and Expanded Future Career Options

Transitioning to consulting not only gives you insight into business management, but also opens up a wider range of future career paths. Working as a consultant means engaging with challenges across a variety of industries and organizations, allowing you to build diverse knowledge and experience.

Consulting is also a profession that develops deep expertise, logical thinking, analytical skills, and communication abilities.

Even when transitioning to other industries afterward, the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills developed through consulting can be highly valuable — and may even lead to further salary increases. Transitioning from consulting to a general company is a well-regarded career path.

(3) The Potential to Earn Over ¥10 Million Annually Even in Your 20s

Consultant salaries are significantly higher compared to other industries. Based on our research into compensation by consulting rank, here is what we found:

Consulting is a merit-based field, so demonstrating strong performance can lead to significant salary increases. While the average annual salary for people in their 20s is around ¥5M–¥7M, top performers can exceed ¥10M, allowing for a more financially comfortable lifestyle than many peers.

Of course, the high salaries in consulting are entirely merit-based. It takes real effort and a proven track record — so you’ll need the resilience to face and overcome all kinds of challenges.

Drawbacks and Caveats of Transitioning to Consulting — According to Those Who’ve Done It

There are also drawbacks and important considerations to keep in mind when transitioning to consulting.

<Drawbacks of Transitioning to Consulting>

• Demanding workload
• Risk of becoming a catch-all resource for clients

Read through the details below and consider whether these are factors you can accept in your own consulting career change.

① Demanding Workload

Consulting is widely regarded as more demanding than many other professions. During active project periods, you may find yourself working around the clock — including weekends and holidays.

That said, it’s not relentlessly intense all year round. Once a project wraps up, consultants tend to find it easier to take extended time off. Many use that downtime to travel, dive into hobbies, and enjoy a genuinely fulfilling break.

The clear distinction between “on” and “off” modes makes consulting a great fit for those who thrive with structure and contrast in their daily lives.

② Risk of Becoming a Catch-All Resource for Clients

There are cases where consultants end up being treated as a general-purpose resource by client companies. If consultants accept this role, they may find themselves handling a wide variety of tasks at a surface level — which often fails to deliver meaningful value to the client.

While responding to client requests is important, doing so indiscriminately can result in outcomes that don’t actually improve the client’s performance. When that happens, it becomes difficult to earn the client’s trust or build your reputation as a consultant.

Of course, listening to the client and taking action is essential — but the core purpose of a consultant’s role is to drive results for the client. Remember that sometimes this means delivering difficult feedback or pushing back on requests.

Qualifications and Skills That Give You an Edge in a Consulting Career Change

First and foremost, there are no mandatory qualifications required to become a consultant. Certifications are simply one way to demonstrate personal capabilities — what truly matters in consulting is whether you can deliver results on the job.

That said, holding relevant qualifications can work in your favor during a job search, so there’s no harm in obtaining them. Below, we introduce five qualifications recommended for those pursuing a consulting career change.

<Recommended Qualifications to Obtain Before Your Career Change>

• MBA
• PMP
• Professional licenses
• IT-related certifications
• Language skills

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a graduate-level degree awarded to those who have completed advanced, practice-oriented coursework in high-relevance business topics. While earning an MBA requires completing a graduate program — making it a significant undertaking — it is highly beneficial for consultants who are in a position to drive projects and work closely with business leaders.

The benefits of obtaining an MBA include:

<Benefits of Obtaining an MBA>

• Gaining knowledge and experience across a wide range of industries and roles
• Learning business frameworks and working through real-world case studies
• Developing a global perspective and broadening your worldview
• Building a network of high-caliber professionals from around the world
• Meeting the hiring criteria of top consulting firms

However, earning an MBA requires a significant investment of time and money — and having an MBA alone is no guarantee of being hired. Whether or not to pursue an MBA is a decision that requires careful consideration based on your individual goals and circumstances.

PMP (Project Management Professional)

The PMP is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in project management. Like the MBA, simply holding the PMP certification does not guarantee a job offer — but it serves as a strong differentiator and a compelling addition to your profile.

In addition, it provides in-depth learning on project management — including how to develop plans for executing and delivering successful projects, and how to lead and coordinate teams — all of which directly apply to the work of a consultant.

Professional Licenses

Professional licenses refer primarily to highly specialized and difficult-to-obtain credentials such as attorney, judicial scrivener, tax accountant, and administrative scrivener.

<Examples of Professional Licenses>

• Attorney (Bengoshi)
• Patent Attorney (Benrishi)
• Judicial Scrivener (Shiho Shoshi)
• Administrative Scrivener (Gyosei Shoshi)
• Tax Accountant (Zeirishi)
• Social Insurance and Labor Consultant (Shakai Hoken Romushi)
• Land and House Investigator (Tochi Kaoku Chosashi)
• Maritime Procedures Agent (Kaiji Dairi-shi)

These credentials are applicable across a wide range of consulting specializations. For example, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Tax Accountant, or Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant license can be particularly useful in management consulting. Due to their high difficulty level, these credentials are also well-positioned to capture the attention of hiring managers.

In the context of a consulting career change, professional licenses are most valuable in the following situations:

<Advantages of Professional Licenses>

• When the role requires a professional license
• When your area of expertise is closely related to a professional license
• When clients are licensed professionals or closely connected to that field

IT-Related Certifications

IT-related certifications can be a significant asset when transitioning to a consulting career. While they are not officially required for consultants, holding an IT certification demonstrates relevant knowledge and is especially valued for roles in IT consulting.

These certifications are also effective for building knowledge in IT technology, business management, logical thinking, and communication skills.

Language Skills

Language skills are essential for working as a consultant — whether in domestic or international consulting firms. They are particularly valuable when participating in global projects or communicating with clients from different cultural backgrounds.

TOEIC and TOEFL are recommended as ways to demonstrate your language proficiency. TOEFL, in particular, covers four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. A high TOEFL score is strong evidence of practical, well-rounded English ability.

As for TOEIC, a score of 800 or above demonstrates a solid command of specialized vocabulary, enabling complex conversations and the ability to hold discussions with native speakers.

It’s also worth noting that some consulting firms require a minimum TOEIC or TOEFL score as part of their hiring criteria.

How to Choose a Recruitment Agency for Your Consulting Career Change

If you’re looking to transition into consulting, using a recruitment agency is highly recommended. Since consulting is a highly competitive field with demanding hiring standards, seeking guidance from a career advisor can make a meaningful difference.

So how do you choose the right agency from the many options available? Below, we’ll walk you through the key factors to evaluate.

The following points will be covered:

<Key Factors When Choosing a Recruitment Agency>

1. Check the volume of available job listings
2. Identify each agency’s areas of specialization
3. Evaluate the quality and scope of support services
4. Review the agency’s track record
5. (Important) Don’t limit yourself to just one recruitment agency!

There’s no need to commit to a single recruitment agency. Using multiple agencies gives you access to job listings you might not find through any one agency alone, and allows you to receive advice from a broader range of career advisors.

① Check the Volume of Available Job Listings

First, check the number of available job listings through the agency’s official website, ranking sites, or comparison platforms. While volume alone isn’t everything, a larger number of listings increases your chances of encountering a wider variety of opportunities — and finding one that’s the right fit for you.

In addition to agencies with a large overall number of listings, agencies that specialize specifically in consulting roles are also worth considering.

② Identify Each Agency’s Areas of Specialization

Each recruitment agency has its own strengths and areas of focus, and some specialize in specific industries. There are agencies dedicated to the consulting industry specifically. If you’ve already decided to pursue a career in consulting, registering with an agency that specializes in that field is a smart move.

If you’re still weighing consulting against other industries, a general agency that covers a broad range of sectors may be a better fit.

Agencies like Mynavi Agent and doda Agent offer job listings across a wide variety of industries.

③ Evaluate the Quality and Scope of Support Services

Recruitment agencies assign dedicated career advisors to support you throughout your job search.

<Key Support Services Typically Offered>

• Initial consultation and career change counseling
• Job referrals and recommendations
• Assistance with self-assessment
• Interview preparation
• Application document review
• Scheduling coordination and salary negotiation with employers
• Post-placement follow-up

The scope of support varies by agency, but the services listed above are commonly provided. From career change advice and insider knowledge about consulting firms’ hiring expectations to matching you with relevant opportunities, recruitment agencies offer valuable support throughout your job search. We strongly encourage anyone considering a career change to take advantage of these services.

Note that “job search sites” are simply platforms listing job openings — they do not offer the personalized support of a recruitment agency, such as consulting with a career advisor or having job matches found on your behalf.

④ Review the Agency’s Track Record

An agency’s track record can be assessed through metrics such as number of registered users, total job listings, number of exclusive/non-public listings, placement rate, average salary of placed candidates, and user satisfaction. This information may also be published on official websites, in advertisements, or through media coverage. Strong performance across these metrics reflects a high level of trust from both companies and job seekers — which increases the likelihood of a smooth job search experience.

Beyond the agency’s own published figures, researching user reviews and reputation online can give you candid, real-world insights from people who have actually used the service. It’s worth checking these in advance to help ensure a smoother job search process.

(Important) Don’t Limit Yourself to Just One Recruitment Agency!

When using recruitment agencies, there’s no need to stick with just one. In fact, registering with multiple agencies increases both the number and variety of job opportunities you’ll be introduced to.

You’ll also benefit from receiving perspectives and advice from different advisors, and you can compare which advisor is the best fit for you. That said, managing information and schedules across multiple agencies can become complex, and there’s a potential for friction between advisors — so be mindful not to spread yourself too thin.

Recommended Platforms for Becoming a Freelance Consultant

Among those considering a career change into consulting, some may also be open to freelancing. Going freelance, however, means you’ll need to handle your own business development — and it’s not always easy to land work consistently.

That’s where we recommend “FreConsultant.jp.”

“FreeConsultant.jp” is a service designed specifically for freelance consultants. By registering as a consultant, you can search for projects that match your skills and experience.

FreeConsultant.jp has a track record of working with over 850 client companies, ranging from major corporations to venture companies and startups. With many projects offering monthly fees of over ¥1 million, you’re likely to find opportunities that align with your goals.

A dedicated account manager from Miraiworks Co., Ltd. also acts as an intermediary between you and your clients, helping to build a positive working relationship and a supportive environment. After each project, you’ll receive feedback that can be applied to your next engagement — making it a valuable resource for ongoing skill development.

With an extensive track record and free registration available through the website, we encourage anyone interested to sign up and explore.

Highlights

• Service operated by a publicly listed company
• Browse and find projects online — no need to handle your own sales outreach

Learn more about FreeConsultant.jp »

Summary

We’ve covered a range of key points to address the question of whether it’s possible to transition into consulting without prior experience. There are many benefits to becoming a consultant, but the three most notable are:

<Benefits of Making the Switch>

• Opportunities for personal growth
• Exposure to business management and expanded future career options
• The potential to earn over ¥10 million annually even in your 20s

While there are also important caveats — such as the demanding workload — consulting is an industry with growing demand. If you’re considering a career change, now is a great time to take the leap and start your job search.

Using a recruitment agency is strongly recommended for your job search. Given how competitive the field is, partnering with an expert gives you a much better chance of success than going it alone.

With high earning potential and strong prospects for career advancement, consulting is a compelling choice. If you’re thinking about becoming a consultant, take courage and start your job search today.

For those considering freelance consulting, be sure to register with FreeConsultant.jp. With a wide range of companies seeking consulting expertise, you’re sure to find projects where your skills can make a real impact.