How you can work as a consultant

Many people are interested in working at foreign consulting firms. Not only because of the nature of the job, but also because of the appealing salary. It's true that there are many hurdles during the hiring process, and only a few candidates are chosen. But it's still possible to gain employment in foreign consulting firms without any experience.

It is possible to get a job at a foreign consulting firm without any experience.

Among those who change jobs to foreign consulting firms, many are in their 20s and have no experience. Some switch to foreign consulting firms after working in trade, finance, manufacturing, advertising or even IT. Moreover, those with backgrounds in marketing or executive planning are more likely to be seen positively. Emphasis is typically placed on a candidate’s academic record. Additionally, an MBA at a high ranked business school can give one a particular advantage.

However, access to major firms involved in areas such as strategic consulting or comprehensive consulting can be difficult. When an applicant does not already have consulting experience, they will likely begin as an analyst. They will initially get involve in collecting data and preparing documentation.

Are foreign language abilities required at foreign consulting firms?

It is not necessarily the case that higher skill in foreign languages is always required at foreign consulting firms. Conditions vary from company to company. This includes the degree of autonomy of the Japan office, and the scale of global expansion. When databases are managed in English, or in exchange with overseas offices, strong language abilities will be expected. The ability to speak in English without difficulty will be a precondition for handling clients who cannot speak Japanese.

As global projects are expected to increase, acquiring foreign language capabilities should be considered essential in the long term.

What applicants need most is problem-solving and logical thinking abilities

Consultants are required to have problem-solving and logical thinking abilities. During interviews with foreign consulting firms, applicants are often presented with Fermi problems and case studies. These are in order to evaluate those abilities. A Fermi problem requires a logical explanation that is difficult to answer by research alone. For example, "How many telephone poles are there in Japan? For case studies, applicants are given abstract conditions and must give presentations on questions. For example, “How can we increase the sales of company B ten times in three years?”

In either case, these are questions which are difficult to answer without previous experience. Using placement agencies that specialise in foreign consulting firms provides advice on how to approach these interviews. Particularly, you can receive advice from a career advisor.

Working as a consultant for a foreign consulting firm is a demanding job. But its true appeal can be found in the opportunity to grow rapidly in a short period of time. If you are interested, you should certainly think about applying. Because there is a chance you could be hired even without any experience.