How to Increase Your Market Value and Develop a Career Strategy That Doesn't Sell You Short Before Changing Jobs
“If I change jobs now, will I really be satisfied with my career?” “I care more about salary than job satisfaction. But how can I change jobs and actually increase my income?”
To become someone who is “sought after” in the job market, you need to understand your own value and strategically increase it. In this article, we will explain how to objectively measure your market value and how to think about your career so you don't “sell yourself short” during your job search. Please use this as a foundation to ensure you don't choose a new job just because it feels like the right thing to do.
Please also take a look at this information regarding changing jobs.
Why you should be conscious of your “market value” right now
・Now that lifetime employment has collapsed, values are shifting from “the security of belonging to a company” to “the ability to be evaluated in the market.”
・“Evaluation at your current company” is not the same as “value in the market.”
・Because we live in an uncertain era, you need to understand your positioning as an individual.
In the modern era, few people spend their entire career at a single company. That is why you must always be conscious of how much your work style and achievements would be valued in other environments. Regardless of whether you change jobs, increasing your market value leads to more “options” for your future.
How to objectively measure your market value
・With the expansion of job-based hiring, “job content and results” are being emphasized.
・Try taking inventory from the following perspectives:
- What kind of results and achievements have you produced?
- Are those achievements based on “reproducible” skills?
- In which industries and job types can those skills be applied?
- Where do you differentiate yourself from others?
For example, if you are in sales, it is important to have achievements that demonstrate reproducibility and a story, such as “I went from having no industry experience to becoming a top salesperson in three months,” rather than just “I closed X number of deals.” Furthermore, utilizing market value diagnostic services and coaching services can help clarify your standing and how you compare to others.
3 strategies to avoid “selling yourself short”
Strategy 1: Choose a company based on “skill growth potential” rather than compensation
Salary and benefits are certainly important, but to increase your market value in the long term, you need to focus on “what skills you can acquire” and “how much discretion you will have.”
Strategy 2: Judge based on “discretionary power” rather than position
More important than a job title is the breadth of your ability to make decisions yourself. It is precisely because you have discretion that your achievements and skills will grow at an accelerated rate.
Strategy 3: Think in terms of “long-term market value growth” rather than “immediate salary increase”
If you get caught up in short-term salary increases, you may not be able to accumulate skills in the long term, and your market value may hit a ceiling. It is important to think backward from what kind of player you want to be and in what kind of market you want to be in the future.
Daily habits of people who are “sought after in the job market”
・Branding through “sharing” in addition to skill improvement
・Regular career inventory (e.g., once every six months)
・Building a network outside the company: Broaden your perspective regardless of whether it is in the same or a different industry
・Make it a habit to look at job postings even if you are not thinking about changing jobs
Even if you are not planning to change jobs, regularly checking how your value is perceived makes it easier to adjust your career trajectory. Furthermore, engaging with people outside your company often helps you discover skills and strengths you were previously unaware of.
The Pitfalls of Hasty Job Changes That Lower Your "Market Value"
・Jumping at short-term benefits can lead to a loss of career consistency.
・Even in a "growth industry," your market value will not increase if you cannot utilize your skills.
・Following an agent's advice blindly often leads to a "passive job change."
Changing jobs is a means, not an end. If you make decisions based solely on conditions, you risk repeating the job-hopping cycle in a short period, which may actually lower your market value.
Establish "Decision Criteria" for a Job Change You Won't Regret
・"How you want to be" is more important than "what you want to do."
・Determine three "pillars" for your career (e.g., growth, autonomy, flexible working style).
・Develop the strength to say NO to offers that don't align with your pillars, no matter how good the conditions are.
People who can make decisions without hesitation have clarified their own "pillars." Having these pillars allows you to make career choices with fewer regrets, without being swayed by the opinions or conditions of others.
Increasing your market value is necessary even to make the choice "not" to change jobs. Let's face your career steadily, without rushing.
Useful for Job Changes! Popular Agent Services
For job changes from inexperienced or part-time backgrounds: Daini Shinsotsu Agent Neo
Changing jobs with little or no experience as a full-time employee is often accompanied by a lack of information and anxiety. Especially when considering your first job change or employment in your 20s, finding options that suit you is not easy.
"Daini Shinsotsu Agent Neo" is a job placement support service that caters to such situations. They specialize in full-time job placement for those with no experience or from part-time backgrounds, supporting the first step of your career with a robust support system.
Features
A job and career change support service for people in their 20s that is completely free to use
One-on-one support from career advisors
Comprehensive job support including document editing and interview preparation
Access to job listings that exclude exploitative companies
Retention rate after joining a company is over 90% (as of 2024)
Recommended for people like this
People with little full-time experience or those considering a job change without prior experience
People who are part-time workers or recent graduates looking to become full-time employees
People who don't know where to start with their first job search
People who feel anxious about job hunting alone
People who want to identify the right job and workplace for them
UZUZ is also recommended for second-time new graduates and those in their late 20s
Changing jobs in your late 20s is a time when it is easy to struggle between a '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, recent graduates, and part-time workers 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-developed video courses and online support that are easy to progress through at your own pace
Recommended for people like this
People with little professional experience who feel anxious about their future career
People in their late 20s who are hesitant, thinking it might be too late
People who want to carefully choose a work style and environment that suits them
People who are not good at interviews or paperwork and lack confidence
People who feel it is difficult to continue job hunting alone
UZUZ IT | Employment support for those aiming to become IT engineers from scratch
For those in their 20s who are interested in the IT industry but feel anxious due to a lack of 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, and more are available.
Individual Employment 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: A support system is in place where you can consult via Slack even after you start your job, providing peace of mind.
Recommended for these people
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 this is a generation where it is easy to be confused about career direction, career change support that faces your essence, rather than just superficial matching, becomes important.
'Purpose Dock/Middle' is a career support service specialized for business professionals in their 30s and 40s. While emphasizing the 'alignment of values' with companies, it supports job changes that aim for a 'work style you can be satisfied with' while making the most of your experience.
Features
Career support specialized for those in their 30s to 40s
Preventing mismatches with job proposals that prioritize values
Career design support from advisors with consulting backgrounds
Meticulous support for document editing and interview preparation
Find job openings that match your personal orientation 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 choose a new job by prioritizing interpersonal relationships and company culture
Those who want to rebuild their career while clarifying their strengths and orientation
Those who feel stuck in their career but are unable to take the first step
Those who want to avoid value mismatches with companies
[Job Change Support Specialized for IT Engineers] Meiko Career Partners
Career 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 preferences for work style.
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 comfortable working environments, 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 firms, including many non-public job openings not available to the general public.
Recommended for people like this
Engineers aiming for career advancement or salary increases
Those who prioritize a comfortable working environment
Those who feel 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 the strength of technical orientation, the degree of involvement in products, and the flexibility of compensation and work styles.
[TechGo] is a recruitment agency specializing in career advancement for high-class engineers. Focusing on private job listings with annual salaries of 8 million yen or more, it supports you in finding companies that match your technical skills and aspirations.
Features
Specializes in job listings with annual salaries ranging from 8 million to 20 million yen
Abundant opportunities for positions directly under CTOs/VPoEs and technical leadership levels
Job proposals tailored to technical and product-oriented aspirations
Covers a wide range from startups to mega-ventures
Assigned dedicated advisors who are well-versed in the internal affairs of companies
Recommended for people like this
People aiming for positions with technical discretion and decision-making authority
People who want to be deeply involved in product development at startups or SaaS companies
People who want to increase their annual salary while also valuing job satisfaction
People who want to challenge themselves at a growth-phase company as their next career move
People 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 criteria for judging a career change. 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 career change support service specializing in experienced IT/Web engineers. Advisors who are well-versed in technical fields provide consistent support, from career direction and company selection to interview preparation.
Features
Specialized in career change support for experienced IT/Web engineers
Job proposals based on technical stack and career aspirations
Advisors with a field-level perspective support the selection process
Accommodates 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 career change agent specializing in digital sales, choose Mer-Career NEXT CAREER
'I want to grow in the SaaS industry' or 'I want to change my career to inside sales or CS.'
The perfect career change support service for you is Mer-Career NEXT CAREER.
This service is a professional career change agent specializing in 'digital sales roles' at SaaS companies and B2B ventures.
It is chosen not only by those taking on the challenge from zero sales experience, but also by experienced professionals aiming for further career advancement.
Strengths of Mer-Career NEXT CAREER:
Specializing in SaaS and B2B venture job openings: Possessing a unique network strong in growth companies
Fully compatible with "digital sales roles": Covering everything from inside sales and field sales to CS
Handled by advisors with industry experience: High precision in proposals and interview preparation
Supporting self-understanding with a unique inventory sheet: Strengthening your performance in document screening and interviews
Available completely free of charge: Consultations are welcome, feel free to talk first
Recommended for those who:
Want to work in the SaaS, IT, or B2B venture industry
Want to find job openings specialized in sales, customer success, and inside sales
Want quality over quantity matching and to talk with advisors who understand the industry
Are new to job hunting and feel anxious about self-analysis and document preparation
Sales Ladder for changing jobs to a sales position
While sales positions are attractive for their "interpersonal skills" and the "sense of accomplishment from achieving results," they are also a field with a wide range of industries and roles, making it difficult to determine the right field for yourself. 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 help 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 for beginners
Can also introduce high-unit-price, incentive-oriented sales positions
Supports diverse roles such as corporate sales, SaaS, and inside sales
Receive selection preparation and skill consultations according to your career aspirations
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to try a sales role but are anxious because they have no experience
Those who prioritize evaluation systems based on annual income and results
Those who feel unsatisfied with their current sales style
Those who want to find a company that matches their sales stance
Those who are interested in SaaS sales or IT 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 who want to resolve such concerns, a school where you can gain not just classroom learning but also "practical experience" is a very reassuring presence.
"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 useful 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 support after graduation and side-job assistance programs
Supports career design with an eye toward job changes and freelancing
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to change jobs to a Web marketing role from scratch
Those who want to build a track record of "practical experience" in addition to skills
Those who want to acquire projects as a side job or freelancer
People looking for a learning environment that emphasizes practical skills
People who want to learn at a school with extensive support
For career 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 good match. That is why the presence of an advisor who is well-versed in the industry is the key to a successful career change.
"Massmedian" is a career change support service specializing in marketing and creative roles. Operated by the "Sendenkaigi" advertising industry magazine group, it features unique job openings and in-depth matching support that leverages strong ties with companies.
Features
Fully specialized in marketing and creative roles
Holds a diverse range of job openings at advertising agencies, production companies, and operating companies
Careful career counseling by advisors with a deep understanding of the roles
An information network unique to the industry-specialized "Sendenkaigi" 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 industries
People who want to consult with a representative who understands the specific circumstances of 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 preferences
For finding your career focus, use the coaching service [POSIWILL CAREER]
"I'm not sure if I should keep going like this," or "I can't see what I want to aim for."
For those working while harboring such vague anxieties, what is needed may not be "job listings," but a dialogue to find your "career core."
"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, they support you in organizing your values, re-evaluating 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 core tends to waver 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 on the surface, 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 help you find 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.)
Carefully listening to the job seeker's experience and strengths
Proposing matches that also take into account the company's organizational climate and culture
Customizing document and interview preparation by job type
Supporting transitions 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 be selective about the workplace atmosphere and structure when choosing a new job
Those aiming to step up as a specialist
Those who want to leverage 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 Without Prior Experience
ConsultNext.jp is an agency service specializing in career changes to the consulting industry. They have strong connections with a wide range of consulting firms, including strategy, IT, and organizational HR, and handle many job openings that are open to those without prior experience.
Furthermore, it is a reassuring point that many of the advisors have consulting experience themselves. They provide careful support based on real information, such as the inside scoop on the industry, the characteristics of each company, and what is looked for in the selection process.
What are the points that are friendly to those without experience?
The following support is especially well-developed for those without experience:
Introduction of job openings that welcome those without experience (carefully selected companies with high selection pass rates)
Selection preparation such as document editing and mock interviews
Support for organizing motivation for applying and career plans
Advice that looks ahead to career steps after joining the company
For those who are anxious about their first job change or unsure which firm is right for them, having a professional work with you side-by-side provides great peace of mind.
Recommended for people like this
You want to switch to a consulting career but aren't sure if your background is suitable
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 aren't thinking of changing jobs immediately, but want to consult about your future career
Just a consultation is fine
They say that even if you are undecided about changing jobs right now, you are more than welcome to just come and talk. Since you can consult for free and with ease, it is recommended to use this as a first step.
Fair Ship: The service that chooses an agent for you
When people decide to start their job search, a hurdle many unexpectedly face is the dilemma of not knowing which agent to consult. There is too much information to compare easily, and choosing an agent that truly fits you is not simple.
Fair Ship is a matching service specialized in 'agent selection' that resolves such concerns. Based on the job seeker's situation and preferences, it carefully selects and introduces compatible representatives from among multiple recruitment agencies.
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 ratings are introduced
Fair Ship also supports your interactions with recruitment agents
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 hesitant at the start of their job search
People who have had a bad experience with an incompatible agent
People who want to make a satisfying career change without being pressured into job openings
People who want to proceed while carefully consulting with a trusted representative