As the career move market becomes more active, "choosing your next career" is an important topic for business people in their 30s and 40s. There are many cases where a mismatch or gap occurs, such as “The environment was different from what I expected...” or “My skills didn't match, so I had a hard time...” when you envision your ideal career and change jobs. However, on the other hand, some people are able to dramatically increase their market value by choosing a career path that suits them and making systematic preparations. The important thing is to understand and put into practice how to correctly increase your market value while preventing career damage from changing jobs.
In this article, we will focus on “Tips for identifying the career path that suits you” and “Specific measures to double your market value while avoiding mismatches and gaps.” We have summarized the points you should keep in mind in this day and age, including when changing jobs to a foreign company. Please use it for your career strategy.
1. The reality of career mismatch: Why does it happen?
1-1. Gaps caused by information asymmetry
When looking for a job, there are many cases where a company and a candidate join a company without properly sharing their ideal work style and required skills, resulting in a mismatch. In particular, if there is a lack of information about the reality of the workplace, culture, and the speed required, which cannot be seen through recruitment guidelines or interviews, employees may end up feeling worried after joining, thinking, “It wasn't supposed to be this way.”
1-2. Choosing a new job in haste
If you decide to change jobs without doing sufficient self-analysis or company research due to dissatisfaction with your current workplace, problems with interpersonal relationships, or a rush to increase your income, problems such as “the company culture doesn't suit you” or “the work content isn't as rewarding as you expected” will arise later on. While people in their 30s and 40s have a wealth of experience, family circumstances and responsibilities increase, so they may be forced to make quick decisions. However, there is a pitfall lurking there.
1-3. There is a discrepancy between the company's expectations and the individual's career vision.
Are companies looking for someone who can work immediately, someone with an emphasis on potential, or a key person for a new business? If the career vision envisioned by a candidate does not match the role expected by the company, even if the recruitment is successful, there will be a limit to the success of the candidate after joining. As a result, they may find themselves unable to produce the desired results and receive no evaluation, and may be forced to quit their job early or change jobs again.
2. The importance of choosing a career path that suits you
2-1. Perspective that “career = part of life”
Changing jobs in your 30s or 40s is a big decision in the middle of your life. Career is not just an extension of work, but also an important element to enrich your life. That's why many people are worried that if they make the wrong choice, they won't be able to take it back. In fact, the experience and knowledge you gain depending on your career choice can greatly change the trajectory of your life.
2-2. Benefits of working in a way that suits you
If you work in a workplace that matches your strengths and values, you'll be more likely to stay motivated and produce results. As a result, you will receive recognition, a raise in salary, and a sense of fulfillment, creating a virtuous cycle that will have a positive impact on your family and private life. On the other hand, in an organization that does not match your aptitude or values, stress and dissatisfaction can accumulate, which can lead not only to a decline in your career but also to health risks.
2-3. Think about your career from a long-term perspective
Even if you get a high income or a job title right away, if the job doesn't align with your personal growth and life goals over the long term, you may end up asking yourself, "Is this really the job you want to do?" Rather, it is better to envision what skills and position you would like to work in 5 or 10 years from now, and choose a career path that will lead you there, which will lead to a significant increase in your final market value.
3. Correctly understand market value
3-1. Market value = scarcity x demand
“Market value” in the job market cannot be measured simply by annual income. It really depends on how rare your skills and experience are, and how much the company wants your skill set. For example, if you have English proficiency or management experience in addition to specific technical skills, you are more likely to fit into a position with limited recruitment, and your relative scarcity value increases.
3-2. An era where “multiplication” of skill sets is effective
In recent years, “skill hybridization,” which combines multiple specialties, has been attracting attention. For example, companies will highly value human resources who have multiple skills, such as “sales and data analysis,” “IT technology and business English,” and “marketing and project management.” If you think about how to combine the skills you already have and how to make yourself unique, you have the potential to dramatically increase your market value.
3-3. Personal branding power and network
When you reach your 30s and 40s, the connections you have built both inside and outside the company and your personal branding also affect your market value. In particular, disseminating information on SNS and the business community is an opportunity for your expertise and achievements to be widely known. If you have an established image from the outside that “that person is a professional who is good at XX,” headhunting and new business opportunities will naturally come your way.
4. Five points to check when changing jobs
4-1. Compatibility with corporate culture and vision
If you feel uncomfortable with the mission, values, or organizational structure of your new employer, it will greatly hinder your work style after joining. During the interview, it is important to ask as many specific questions as possible about the company's culture and climate, and if possible, research the opinions of on-site employees. If your culture matches your values, you'll be more motivated to work.
4-2. Future career path and promotion system
By understanding in advance not only your current position, but also what role you will be assigned in the next two to three years, it will be easier to determine whether the position is consistent with your long-term career vision. Particularly in international companies, while there is a clear performance-based system, career paths may be fluid depending on the availability of positions and the policies of the head office. Check the promotion and evaluation system in order to envision your growth at your new job.
4-3. Organizational structure and superior leadership
It is also important to know which department you will be assigned to at your new job and who your direct superior is. No matter how good the company culture is, if you have poor relationships with your direct superiors and colleagues, stress will increase and performance will decline. Although there are limits to what you can learn through interviews and company research, one way to do this is to use LinkedIn, if possible, to research the personality and track record of potential bosses.
4-4. Required skills and practical content
The required skills listed in job postings are only superficial. If you do not understand what tasks and results are really required, you will feel a gap after joining. Try to find out as much as possible during the interview, such as “What kind of projects will they be in charge of?” “How often will they use English?” and “What is the cooperation structure with other departments and overseas bases?”
4-5. Balance of compensation and benefits
While we want to focus on increasing annual income, we cannot overlook benefits and work-life balance. Overtime hours, holidays taken, whether there is a work-from-home system, etc. are directly linked to long-term work comfort. Also, depending on the evaluation system, performance-based bonuses and stock options may make up a large portion of the employee's performance. Before changing jobs, be sure to understand whether the system matches the compensation and lifestyle you are looking for.
5. Self-analysis and preparation methods to prevent mismatches
5-1. Current carrier inventory
To avoid mismatches, you must first understand yourself correctly. By taking stock of your past experience and accomplishments, your strengths and weaknesses, and the situations in which you can maximize your performance, you will be able to clarify “what is the place where you can truly thrive?” In particular, people in their 30s and 40s tend to have diverse backgrounds, so it is important to summarize the main points and deepen their self-understanding.
5-2. Verbalize your career vision
"What am I good at, what value do I provide, and how do I want to work?" By putting this into words and summarizing it with numbers and specific examples if possible, you can provide a convincing explanation to the companies you are applying to. Also, once your career vision is clear, it will be easier to compare the degree of match with companies, and you will be able to avoid options with large gaps.
5-3. Plan for improving skills and acquiring qualifications
If you feel that you lack skills that can be utilized at your new job, it is a good idea to proceed with your study plan and obtain qualifications before changing jobs. For example, if you are trying to work for a foreign company, it may be urgent to improve your business English. If you have IT skills and project management knowledge, you will be able to choose a career that goes beyond the industry. Taking actions to compensate for areas you feel are lacking is the key to reducing mismatches in the job market and increasing your market value.
6. Specific steps to double market value
6-1. Combine your strengths with niche fields
As mentioned above, in the modern job market, “hybrid human resources who combine multiple skills” are valued. By combining your field of expertise with a niche industry or emerging field, you will increase your rarity and naturally expand your annual income range and offer. For example, marketers with AI-related technical knowledge and business planners who can utilize data science are the types of human resources that many companies want.
6-2. Visualize and communicate results
By quantitatively showing what kind of results you have produced and communicating them online and offline, you can spread the impression to those around you that you are a person who can do the job. You will be more likely to be evaluated if you present your accomplishments in a way that makes them visible, such as listing specific accomplishments on your LinkedIn profile, giving a presentation at an industry event, or contributing to the media as an expert.
6-3. Continuous action to expand the network
In order to maintain high market value, it is essential to form internal and external networks. Actively participating in industry seminars, study sessions, and business communities, as well as disseminating information on SNS and interacting with professionals in the same industry, often create new career opportunities. No matter how good your skills are, if no one knows about them, you will miss the opportunity to be appreciated.
7. Attractiveness and risks of international companies: Possibilities for a global career
7-1. Results-based system and sense of speed
international companies have a strict performance-based system, and if you demonstrate your skills, your annual salary and position may increase rapidly. Another appeal of being a foreign company is that there are many organizations where decision-making is fast, and you can experience the dynamism that can make a big difference in a business in a short period of time. However, on the other hand, if you cannot produce results, there is a risk that your evaluation will be immediately lowered, so high performance is always required.
7-2. Multicultural environment and language skills
Collaboration with overseas bases and multinational members occurs on a daily basis, so English proficiency and the ability to understand other cultures are required. While this is a great advantage in terms of career advancement and market value, there are many people who struggle after joining due to lack of language skills or differences in communication. If you are considering working for a foreign company, it is recommended that you improve your English skills to some extent in advance.
7-3. Compromise with the unique culture of the Japanese market
Even if the company is a Japanese subsidiary, international companies have rules and customs that are completely different from those of Japanese companies, as the policies and culture of the overseas headquarters are strongly reflected. On the other hand, business practices and customer needs unique to the Japanese market cannot be ignored, so flexible responses at the field level are required. Human resources who can take advantage of the strengths of international companies while promoting measures tailored to the Japanese market will be highly valued.
8. Smart way to interact with career move agents
8-1. Clearly communicate your hopes and vision
In order to receive accurate support from an agent, the first step is to tell them in detail what kind of career you are looking for. If you clearly state your priorities, such as "increasing your annual income is the top priority" or "prioritizing an environment where you can grow," you will be more likely to receive job offers that avoid mismatches.
8-2. Understand the agent's areas of strength
Different agents specialize in different industries and company sizes. If you are interested in foreign recruitment, the golden rule is to choose an agent who is strong in that field. Since there are large differences in the connections a person in charge has with a company and the freshness of selection information, it is common practice to use multiple agents at the same time while determining whether they are trustworthy.
8-3. Make repeated revisions while receiving feedback
Even if you fail the application screening or interview, you can make revisions based on the feedback you receive from the agent and be closer to success in your next challenge. If you are willing to accept any areas for improvement, such as “your professional presentation is difficult to understand” or “it is out of sync with the company's needs,” and are willing to respond flexibly, you will have a better chance of getting an even better offer.
9. Strengths of support provided by GCI
A major feature of GCI (Global Career Incubator) is that it has consultants with diverse backgrounds and specializes in supporting global careers, including those of international companies. GCAP PIVOT, which supports global career development, not only introduces job openings, but also provides coaching tailored to each candidate and supports self-analysis to avoid mismatches.
In addition, we have a reputation for being able to accompany you throughout your job search, drawing on past success stories and deep knowledge of corporate culture. Since you can receive a service that combines agent and coaching, you can reduce the anxiety you feel before joining the company, and you can expect support that will help you settle in and advance your career after joining.
Especially when changing jobs in your 30s and 40s, it tends to be complicated to think about how you can utilize your past experience and what you want to gain from your next step. GCI carefully listens to these questions and plays the role of accurately communicating candidates' strengths and aspirations to companies. As a result, we are able to minimize mismatches and gaps while supporting candidates to increase their market value.
10. Summary: How to carve out a career that suits you
In order to avoid career mismatches and maximize your market value, three things are essential: “self-analysis,” “company research,” and “long-term vision.” Changing jobs is not a goal, but a starting point to a new career stage. By carefully preparing without rushing and properly highlighting your strengths, changing jobs can be a great opportunity to enrich your life and double your market value.
Your 30s and 40s are an important time to make use of the culmination of your career. Please reconfirm what you want to do and your strengths while keeping a broad perspective, including opportunities at international companies. If your style matches the culture and evaluation system of your new job, you can achieve great results in the long run and advance your career.
If you are worried about not knowing which direction to take or not being able to explain your strengths well, it may be a good idea to seek help from an expert or coach. By incorporating a professional perspective and developing a clear strategy, you may be able to discover the career goal that best suits you while lowering the risk of mismatch.
Changing jobs is a major turning point in your life, but with the right preparation and analysis, you can prevent mismatches and, in fact, become a great opportunity to greatly increase your market value. If you can identify the career path that suits you, it will not only help you succeed in your new workplace, but it will also give you a huge advantage when moving on to the next stage. I hope this article will help you further enrich your career.
Author
Global Career Incubator Co., Ltd. CEO Shinichi Ikawa
Biography: Entered the business world after working for the Ministry of Defense (National Class I) and the Australian Ministry of Defence. After working at a major real estate company, he started a real estate venture and experienced management and recruitment at a domestic fund, domestic business company, and overseas tech company before founding our company.
Developed a career accelerator program based on my experience as a corporate manager and hiring manager. We specialize in foreign-affiliated, bilingual, and senior talent, and support individual career advancement and corporate organizational strength and efficiency.