{"id":8490,"date":"2026-06-08T14:24:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T05:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/?post_type=column&p=8490"},"modified":"2026-06-08T14:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T05:24:41","slug":"what-are-the-most-popular-career-destinations-for-consultants-success-stories-and-key-cautions-revealed","status":"publish","type":"column","link":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/en\/column\/8490\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Most Popular Career Destinations for Consultants? Success Stories and Key Cautions Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u3010\u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b\u3011\u5927\u624b\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30c6\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u4f1a\u793e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u672a\u7d4c\u9a13\u304b\u3089\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306b\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5<\/a>\uff5c\u7b2c\u4e8c\u65b0\u5352\u3067\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306b\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5<\/a>\uff5c\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u7a2e\u985e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u4ed5\u4e8b\u5185\u5bb9<\/a>\uff5cIT\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u6c42\u4eba\u306e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u672a\u7d4c\u9a13OK\u306e\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u6c42\u4eba\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u30ea\u30e2\u30fc\u30c8\u53ef\u306e\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u6c42\u4eba\u4e00\u89a7<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Popular Industries and Job Types for Post-Consultant Career Moves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are representative examples of career-change destinations, organized by career stage<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"List<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<Recommended Career-Change Destinations for Consultants by Field><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\u30b9\u30af\u30ed\u30fc\u30eb\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059 <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/span>Strategy Consulting<\/td>PE Funds<\/a><\/span>
Foreign Investment Banks and Other Foreign Financial Institutions<\/a><\/span>
<\/td><\/tr>
 <\/span>General Consulting<\/td>PE Funds<\/a><\/span>
Investment Banks<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/span>Accounting Consulting<\/td>Accounting \/ Finance \/ Treasury Departments at Business Companies<\/a><\/span>
Investment Banks<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/span>HR Consulting<\/td>Recruitment Agencies<\/a><\/span>
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Companies<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/span>IT Consulting<\/td>IT Consulting Firms<\/a><\/span>
IT \/ Systems Departments at Business Companies<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PE Funds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>. However, the number of openings is limited and competition is fierce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the latter half of this article, we introduce success stories of transitions to PE funds.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tPE\u30d5\u30a1\u30f3\u30c9\u3068\u306f\uff1f\u4e3b\u306a\u7a2e\u985e\u3084\u696d\u52d9\u5185\u5bb9\u30fb\u5e74\u53ce\u3092\u308f\u304b\u308a\u3084\u3059\u304f\u89e3\u8aac<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Investment Banks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Investment banks are specialized institutions that provide sophisticated financial services\u2014such as capital raising and M&A (mergers and acquisitions)\u2014to large clients including governments, major corporations, and institutional investors<\/strong><\/span>. Unlike commercial banks, they do not engage in deposit-taking or lending, and primarily play a role in supporting corporate growth and restructuring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since skills cultivated as a consultant\u2014such as financial analysis, strategic planning, and project management\u2014translate directly, this is a recommended destination for professionals from strategy, general, and accounting consulting backgrounds<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Foreign investment banks offer high compensation levels and are a popular career destination for consultants. Bonuses and incentives tied to performance are also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Corporate Planning, Finance, IT, and HR Departments at Large Business Companies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Large Japanese business companies<\/strong><\/span> are also attractive destinations for experienced consultants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014backed by a track record of management advisory and advanced analytical capabilities\u2014are often highly valued, enabling meaningful practical involvement in management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>. There is also the potential to aim for executive or leadership positions in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on transitioning from consulting to a business company, please refer to the following article.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u304b\u3089\u4e8b\u696d\u4f1a\u793e\u306b\u8ee2\u8077\u3067\u304d\u308b\uff1f\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u3079\u304d\u5e74\u9f62\u3084\u5e74\u53ce\u306e\u5909\u5316\u307e\u3068\u3081<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Recruitment Agencies and RPO Companies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For those with HR consulting experience, recruitment agencies and RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) companies are also highly popular career-change destinations<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

For HR consulting professionals, career moves to social insurance and labor consulting firms, corporate training companies, and career coaching companies are also possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consulting Firms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>. Many consultants make this kind of move when seeking a company culture that suits them better or more flexible working arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\u30102026\u3011\u5927\u624b\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u4f1a\u793e20\u793e\u3092\u4e00\u89a7\u3067\u7d39\u4ecb\uff01\u5916\u8cc7\u7cfb\u30fb\u65e5\u7cfb\u306e\u9055\u3044\u306f\uff1f<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

FAS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>, including M&A advisory, corporate and business financial restructuring, and business turnaround support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through handling scandal response and fraud investigation cases, you can also deepen specialized knowledge in compliance and risk management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign Companies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies are also attractive destinations for those with consulting experience<\/strong><\/span>. A major reason is that the profile foreign companies seek\u2014candidates who can hit the ground running and operate in a global environment\u2014aligns well with the skills and experience built through consulting work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many foreign companies maintain a thorough meritocracy in their performance evaluations, and those who deliver strong results\u2014even early in their careers\u2014have 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<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014such as severance pay, family allowances, and housing subsidies\u2014compared to Japanese companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Companies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Startup companies are highly compatible career-change destinations for those with consulting experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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