For those who cannot take the step to change jobs: How to create a 'decision-making axis' to clear up career uncertainty
You want to change jobs, but you can't take the step—the true nature of that 'hesitation'
There are many people who harbor the uncertainty of, 'Should I change jobs, or should I stay at my current company?'
Even if you have complaints about your workplace or anxiety about your career, you stop in your tracks when it comes time to act. The true nature of this 'hesitation' is not a lack of information or weak resolve, but actually the 'lack of a decision-making axis.'
In the modern era, we can obtain all kinds of information through social media and job change sites. However, it is also a fact that the more information there is, the easier it is to become confused.
That is precisely why the first thing you need is to have a 'thinking axis' regarding 'what criteria will I use to decide my career?' Whether or not you have this will greatly change the quality and speed of your choices.
Please also take a look at this regarding changing jobs.
If you don't have a decision-making axis, the uncertainty will continue even after you change jobs
The reason many people regret their decision after changing jobs, saying 'this isn't what I expected,' is because they act without having clear 'decision-making criteria,' even if they have obtained information about choosing a company.
For example,
You prioritized a salary increase, but you don't feel a sense of fulfillment in the work content
You prioritized ease of working, but your skills aren't growing and you are anxious about the future
You were attracted by the company name and joined, but the organizational culture doesn't fit and you are accumulating stress
Such mismatches are the result of changing jobs while your decision-making axis remains vague.
Conversely, people who have a decision-making axis can be satisfied with the choice of 'not changing jobs.' That is why it is essential to verbalize your 'own values' and your 'ideal image of how you want to work.'
Verbalizing uncertainty: 5 self-questions
The first step to creating a career decision-making axis is to clarify the 'sense of discomfort you feel toward your current job.'
Try asking yourself the following 5 questions:
When you wake up in the morning, are you excited about your current job?
Is this a problem that will be solved if you change jobs, or is it something that can be changed at your current workplace?
How do you feel you want to have grown in the next 5 years?
Are your current skills applicable outside the company?
Are you more drawn to 'freedom' or 'responsibility'?
By answering these questions, you will begin to see the essence of your values and your frustrations.
Three perspectives for creating a decision-making axis
1. Work backward from the market
A career is not something you decide solely from your own perspective. How will your job type and skills be utilized in the future society?
By adopting a market perspective, such as the growth potential of the industry and the strength of the business model, you can bring 'strategy' into your career choices.
2. Understand the organizational structure
Every company has a 'culture.' If you join a company with a strong culture of hiring new graduates as a mid-career hire, you may find yourself in a situation where you lack decision-making authority or face a structure where it is difficult to advance.
When considering a new job, it is important to assess the company's structure and culture, such as:
The ratio of mid-career employees
Role models for career advancement
The influence of each job type
These are all important factors to evaluate.
3. Link it to your 'life axis'
A career is closely intertwined with life itself.
Marriage, childcare, nursing care, lifestyle changes... how to balance these personal circumstances is a point you should incorporate into your 'decision-making axis'.
It is important to have a perspective that compares not just your 'current' ideals, but also the person you want to be in the 'future'.
It is 'thinking methods,' not information, that lead to a successful job change
In job hunting, it is easy to rely heavily on information such as recruitment agents, company reviews, and job postings.
Of course, information is necessary, but how you interpret it and how you make decisions depends on having your own 'axis'.
For example:
Do not easily jump into job offers strongly recommended by agents
Deciphering a company's 'values' from the questions asked in an interview
Prioritizing whether it fits your own 'happy way of working'
People who can make these kinds of judgments tend to have higher satisfaction after changing jobs.
To change from 'worrying' to 'thinking'
If you stay in a state of 'just worrying' for too long, you will lose both your confidence and your ability to take action.
However, if you have a decision-making framework, 'worrying' turns into 'thinking.' Making a decision is the process of choosing the 'correct answer for yourself' from among the options.
If you have a framework, you can act with confidence and be satisfied with the results of your choices.
When you are lost, what you should think about is not 'how to move,' but 'what criteria to move by.'
As long as you have a decision-making framework, your career will become freer and more satisfying, regardless of whether you change jobs or not.
Useful for changing jobs! Popular agent services
For those changing jobs from no experience or as a part-timer: Daini Shinsotsu Agent neo
Changing jobs without any or with little full-time experience is often accompanied by a lack of information and anxiety. Especially when you are in your 20s and considering your first job change or employment, finding options that suit you is not easy.
'Daini Shinsotsu Agent neo' is a job support service that stands by you in such situations. They specialize in full-time job changes for those with no experience or who are part-timers, and they support your first career step with a comprehensive support system.
Features
A job/career change support service for people in their 20s that can be used completely free of charge
One-on-one support from career advisors
Extensive job support such as document editing and interview preparation
Receive job introductions that exclude exploitative companies
Retention rate after joining a company is over 90% (as of 2024)
Recommended for people like this
People who have little full-time experience or are thinking about changing jobs without experience
People who want to aim for full-time employment from being a part-timer or a recent graduate
Those who don't know where to start with their first job search
Those who are anxious about job hunting alone
Those who want to identify the right job and workplace for themselves
For second-time new graduates and those in their late 20s, 'UZUZ' is also recommended
Changing jobs in your late 20s is a time when it is easy to struggle between 'lack of experience' and 'age-related barriers.' Even if you have the desire to challenge yourself in a new environment, it may feel difficult to take the first step if you lack confidence or information.
'UZUZ' is a job placement service specializing in career changes for second-time new graduates and those in their late 20s. A key feature is that even if you are unsure about your career direction, you can move forward while thinking through the options that suit you best together.
Features
Job change support specializing in second-time new graduates, those who have already graduated, and part-timers in their 20s
Extensive career support averaging over 20 hours
Receive interview preparation individually customized for each company you apply to
Retention rate of successful job seekers is over 93% (as of 2024)
Well-equipped with video courses and online support that are easy to progress through at your own pace
Recommended for people like this
Those with little professional experience who feel anxious about their future career
Those in their late 20s who are hesitant, thinking 'it might be too late'
Those who want to carefully choose a work style and environment that suits them
Those who are not good at interviews or paperwork and lack confidence
Those who feel it is difficult to continue job hunting alone
UZUZ IT | Employment support to help you aim for a career as an IT engineer from scratch
For those in their 20s who are interested in the IT industry but feel anxious because they lack experience, UZUZ IT is an employment support service that provides free assistance from learning to job placement.
Features
Completely free: Everything from registration to learning support and job placement assistance is available for free
IT-specialized learning materials: Video materials covering the basics of networks, Linux, Java, etc. are available
Individualized job support: One-on-one support including career counseling, resume editing, and mock interviews
Thorough exclusion of black companies: Only job openings that have been checked for work environment and training systems are introduced
Follow-up after joining the company: Peace of mind with a system in place to consult via Slack even after employment
Recommended for people like this
People in their 20s with little full-time work experience (recent graduates, second new graduates, part-timers, etc.)
People who are interested in the IT industry but are anxious about self-study
People who want to think about their career while consulting carefully
People who want to find employment mainly at companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area
Recommended for job changes in your 30s and 40s: 'Purpose Dock/Middle'
Changing jobs in your 30s and 40s is a time when, while you have experience and achievements, you are also required to re-evaluate your values, such as 'what kind of workplace and what kind of work style do I want next?' Because it is a generation where it is easy to get lost in the direction of your career, career support that faces your essence, rather than just superficial matching, becomes important.
'Purpose Dock/Middle' is a career support service specialized for business people in their 30s and 40s. While emphasizing 'alignment of values' with companies, it supports job changes that aim for a 'satisfying work style' while making the most of your experience.
Features
Career support specialized for those in their 30s and 40s
Preventing mismatches with job proposals that emphasize 'values'
Career design support from advisors with consulting backgrounds
Detailed support for document editing and interview preparation
Find job openings that match your 'inclinations' and 'lifestyle'
Recommended for people like this
Those who have experience but feel they want to rethink their work style to better suit them
Those who want to prioritize interpersonal relationships and company culture when choosing a new job
Those who want to rebuild their career while clarifying their strengths and inclinations
Those who feel stuck in their career but cannot take the first step
Those who want to avoid a mismatch in values with a company
[Job change support specialized for IT engineers] Meiko Career Partners
Job change support that balances career advancement and ease of working
Meiko Career Partners is a job change support service specialized for IT engineers. They carefully listen to individual skills and career directions to propose the most suitable companies.
Main features
Job change support that stays close to each individual: Features proposals that consider not just skill matching, but also values and work style preferences.
Extensive application document editing and interview preparation: We provide editing for resumes and job history documents, as well as company-specific interview preparation and mock interviews.
We value work-life balance: We introduce job openings that prioritize a comfortable working environment, such as companies with little overtime or workplaces that allow remote work.
Abundant job openings and non-public job openings: We hold a wide range of job openings from major companies to venture companies, and there are many non-public job openings that are not generally available.
Recommended for people like this
Engineers aiming for career advancement or salary increases
Those who prioritize a comfortable working environment
Those who are anxious about job hunting
For high-class engineer career changes, use [TechGo]
For engineers with advanced skills and experience, choosing the next stage is an important theme. The conditions sought are diverse, including a strong orientation toward technology, the degree of involvement in products, and the freedom of compensation and work style.
[TechGo] is a recruitment agency specializing in career advancement for high-class engineers. Focusing on private job openings with an annual salary of 8 million yen or more, they support encounters with companies that match your technical skills and aspirations.
Features
Specializing in job openings with annual salaries from 8 million to 20 million yen
Abundant positions directly under CTOs/VPoEs and technical leadership level roles
Job proposals that match your technical and product orientation
Covers a wide range from startups to mega-ventures
Assigned dedicated advisors who are well-versed in internal company affairs
Recommended for people like this
Those aiming for positions with technical discretion and decision-making authority
Those who want to be deeply involved in product development at startups or SaaS companies
Those who want to increase their annual salary while also valuing job satisfaction
Those who want to challenge themselves at a growth-phase company as their next career move
Those looking for positions involved in launching engineering organizations and technical strategy
Kikkake Agent | Career change support service for experienced IT/Web engineers
For those who have gained practical experience as IT/Web engineers, 'how I can grow in the next environment' and 'whether I can be involved in projects that feel more rewarding' are important decision-making axes for changing jobs. To find a place where your technical skills are fairly evaluated and you can leverage your strengths, the presence of a partner with industry understanding is essential.
'Kikkake Agent' is a job change support service specializing in experienced IT/Web engineers. Advisors who are well-versed in the technical field provide consistent support, from career direction to company selection and interview preparation.
Features
Specialized in job change support for experienced IT/Web engineers
Job proposals based on technical stack and career aspirations
Advisors with a field-oriented perspective support the selection process
Supports diverse conditions such as salary increases and full remote work requests
Matching design that minimizes gaps after changing jobs
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to meet companies that correctly evaluate their skills and achievements
Those who want to grow further in an environment where they can broaden their technical scope
Those looking for positions where they can utilize a modern technical stack
Those who are worried about their career design as an engineer
Those who want to prioritize remote work or flexible working styles
For a job change agent specializing in digital sales, choose Mercali NEXT CAREER
'I want to grow in the SaaS industry' or 'I want to change my career to inside sales or CS.'
The perfect job change support service for you is Mercali NEXT CAREER.
This service is a job change agent for professionals specializing in 'digital sales positions' at SaaS companies and BtoB ventures. It is chosen not only by those challenging themselves without sales experience but also by experienced professionals aiming for further career advancement.
Strengths of Mercali NEXT CAREER:
Specialized in SaaS/BtoB venture job openings: Possesses a unique network strong in growth companies
Fully compatible with 'Digital Sales' roles: Covering Inside Sales, Field Sales, and CS
Assigned advisors with industry experience: High precision in proposals and interview preparation
Support for self-understanding with a unique inventory sheet: Become stronger in document screening and interviews
Available completely free of charge: Consultations only are also OK, feel free to talk first
Recommended for people like this:
Those who want to work in the SaaS, IT, or BtoB venture industry
Those who want to find job openings specialized in Sales, Customer Success, and Inside Sales
Those who want quality over quantity matching and to talk with advisors who understand the industry
Those who are new to job hunting and are anxious about self-analysis and document creation
Sales Ladder for changing jobs to a sales position
While sales positions are attractive for their 'ability to interact with people' and the 'sense of accomplishment from achieving results,' they are also a field with a wide range of industries and job types, making it difficult to determine the field that suits you best. Especially when challenging yourself from a non-experienced background or when you are worried about the direction of your career, specialized support becomes a reassuring weapon.
'Sales Ladder' is a support service specialized in changing jobs to sales positions. From those with no sales experience to experienced professionals aiming for a higher salary, they will work with you to design the 'next move' in your career that matches your individual skills and aspirations.
Features
Job change support service specialized in sales positions
Many job openings that are easy to start even from no experience
Can also introduce high-unit-price, incentive-oriented sales positions
Supports diverse job types such as corporate sales, SaaS, and inside sales
Receive selection preparation and skill consultations according to your career aspirations
Recommended for people like this
People who want to challenge themselves in a sales role but are anxious due to a lack of experience
People who value evaluation systems based on annual income and performance
People who feel unsatisfied with their current sales style
People who want to find a company that matches their own sales stance
People who are interested in SaaS sales or IT-related products
Wannabe Academy: A Web Marketing School where you can gain practical experience
"I'm interested in Web marketing, but I'm worried because I have no track record as a beginner..."
For those looking to resolve such concerns, a school that offers not just classroom learning but also "practical experience" is a very reassuring resource.
"Wannabe Academy" is a practical Web marketing school where you can learn while handling actual client projects. By touching on a wide range of areas from ad operations and access analysis to SEO measures, you can acquire skills that are immediately applicable in the field.
Features
Curriculum that allows you to gain "practical experience" based on real projects
Careful guidance through small-group classes and individual support
Covers a wide range of content including ad operations, SEO, and GA4 analysis
Extensive post-graduation support and side-job assistance programs
Support for career planning with an eye toward job changes or freelancing
Recommended for these people
People who want to change jobs to a Web marketing role from scratch
People who want to build a track record of "practical experience" in addition to skills
People who want to acquire projects as a side job or freelancer
People who are looking for a learning environment that emphasizes practical skills
People who want to learn at a school with extensive support
For career change support specializing in marketing and creative roles, choose Massmedian
Marketing and creative jobs—such as advertising, web, public relations, and design—are highly specialized by role, and general job change services often fail to provide a sufficient match. That is precisely why the presence of an advisor who is well-versed in the industry is the key to a successful career change.
'Massmedian' is a job change support service specialized in marketing and creative roles. Operated by the 'Sendenkaigi' advertising industry magazine group, it features unique job listings and in-depth matching support that leverages strong connections with companies.
Features
Completely specialized in marketing and creative roles
Holds a diverse range of job listings including advertising agencies, production companies, and operating companies
Thorough career consultation by advisors with deep understanding of the roles
Information network unique to the 'Sendenkaigi' industry magazine group
Supports various roles such as web/SNS management, design, and editing
Recommended for people like this
People considering a career advancement or career change to a marketing role
People who want to find their next workplace by leveraging their experience in the advertising and creative industry
People who want to consult with a representative who understands the circumstances specific to the role and industry
People who want to work in a workplace that is strong in trends or a growing company
People who want to carefully select a workplace that fits their strengths and aspirations
For finding your career axis, use the coaching service [POSIWILL CAREER]
'I don't know if I should stay like this,' 'I can't see what I want to aim for.'
For those working while harboring such uncertainty, what is needed may not be 'job information,' but a dialogue to find your 'career axis'.
POSIWILL CAREER is a coaching service that provides career support without the prerequisite of changing jobs. Through one-on-one sessions with experienced career trainers, it supports you in organizing your values, re-examining your life priorities, and designing your own unique career path.
Features
Career support specialized in 'self-understanding' rather than job changing
One-on-one coaching with a dedicated trainer (conducted entirely online)
Ability to articulate your strengths, values, and ideal lifestyle
Designed to help you avoid career confusion even after the program ends
Proven track record with many users, primarily in their 20s and 30s
Recommended for people like this
Those who are unsure whether they should even change jobs in the first place
Those who want to find a work style and values that suit them
Those who feel their career is stagnating
Those who feel their decision-making axis is easily swayed during job hunting
Those who want to pause and think deeply about their future life
Job change support specialized for back-office roles [Backup Career]
When changing jobs in back-office roles, differences in 'workplace atmosphere' and 'required roles' are often not visible, making it difficult to judge based on job postings alone. That is precisely why having support from someone well-versed in the profession is the key to a successful job change.
Backup Career is a job change support service specialized for back-office roles such as HR, accounting, general affairs, and legal affairs. Advisors with excellent understanding of the tasks for each profession will support you in finding a 'company that fits' based on your skills and aspirations.
Features
Job change support service specialized for back-office roles (HR, accounting, general affairs, legal, etc.)
Careful interviews to understand the job seeker's experience and strengths
Matching proposals that also consider corporate organizational climate and culture
Document and interview preparation customized by job type
Support for transitioning to back-office roles from different industries
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to deepen their career as a back-office professional
Those who want to choose a new job while being particular about the workplace atmosphere and structure
Those aiming to step up as a specialist
Those who want to utilize their past experience even if they change industries
Those looking for an environment where they can utilize their knowledge of HR or accounting
'ConsultNext.jp', strong for consulting career changes for those without experience
'ConsultNext.jp' is an agency service specializing in career changes to the consulting industry. It has strong connections with a wide range of consulting firms, including strategy, IT, and organizational HR, and handles many job openings that are open to those without experience.
Furthermore, the fact that many of the advisors have consulting experience is a reassuring point. They provide careful support based on real information, such as the inside scoop on the industry, the characteristics of each company, and the points looked at during the selection process.
What are the points that are friendly to those without experience?
Especially for those without experience, the following support is substantial:
Introduction of job openings that welcome those without experience (carefully selected companies with high selection pass rates)
Selection measures such as document correction and mock interviews
Support for organizing motivation for applying and career plans
Advice that looks ahead to career steps after joining the company
Even for those who are anxious about their first career change or don't know which firm is right for them, being able to proceed hand-in-hand with a professional is a major source of peace of mind.
Recommended for people like this
You want to switch to a consulting role but are unsure if your career experience is sufficient
You are considering a job change to a consulting firm
You want to know what kind of consulting firms exist besides the major ones
You are not thinking of changing jobs immediately, but want to consult about your future career
Just a consultation is fine to start with
Even if you are undecided about changing jobs right now, they welcome you to come and talk. Since you can consult for free and with ease, it is recommended to use this as a first step.
Fair Ship: A service that chooses an agent for you
When you decide to start job hunting, a problem that surprisingly many people stumble upon first is not knowing which agent to consult. There is too much information to compare easily, and choosing an agent that truly suits you is not simple.
Fair Ship is a matching service specialized in 'agent selection' that resolves such worries. Based on the job seeker's situation and preferences, it carefully selects and introduces compatible representatives from among multiple recruitment agents.
Features
Selects 'compatible agents' according to the job seeker's preferences and attributes
Matches you with an agent as soon as the same day after registration
Only carefully selected agents with proven track records and high evaluations are introduced
Fair Ship also supports your interactions with the recruitment agent
A new system that reduces the 'time and failure' of choosing an agent
Recommended for people like this
People who are unsure which agent to use
People who are hesitating at the entrance of their job hunting activities
People who have had a bad experience with an incompatible agent
People who want to change jobs with a sense of conviction without being forced into job openings
People who want to proceed while carefully consulting with a reliable representative