Realizing the Existence of “Latent Job Information” in Career Consultant Renewal Training

Up until obtaining the national qualification as a Career Consultant, one can steadily move forward on the path thanks to the variety of information available—from training schools offering preparatory courses, publishers releasing exam prep books, and well-known YouTube channels sharing insights and advice.

However, what many people face is what comes after getting the qualification.
They wonder: Now that I’m certified… what should I do next?
At this point, many are left feeling lost.

For those already working in companies that have in-house Career Consultants, it's easier to transition into that role. But for those trying to find Career Consultant positions externally, jobs are scarce—and when they do exist, they often prioritize experienced professionals. For newly certified consultants, the opportunities are limited, and even when a role becomes available, competition is fierce.

As a result, it's said that about 30% of certified Career Consultants end up working in completely unrelated fields, unable to utilize their qualifications.

Incidentally, in Career Consultant training courses, we learn about two types of job information: overt and latent.

Overt job information refers to publicly available job listings—like those found at Hello Work (Japan’s public employment service), company websites, job-search portals, or staffing agencies.

Latent job information, on the other hand, refers to unadvertised opportunities—jobs discovered through personal networks, referrals, or informal connections.

Because overt job information is far more prevalent, most people naturally focus on that. But what if the job category—like Career Consulting—has little overt information to begin with?

Recently, I attended a renewal training course for Career Consultants.
As part of maintaining certification (which must be renewed every five years), Career Consultants are required to complete a certain number of hours in skills and knowledge training. These training courses are offered by various organizations and cover a wide range of topics: employment of people with disabilities, supporting people with illness to balance work and treatment, or assisting youth in job hunting, among others.

When I attended such a course, I realized something: the training naturally brings together Career Consultants with a strong interest in a particular theme and company representatives who are actively working in that domain. In other words, it becomes a natural place for networking and potential job matching.

Of course, the purpose of the training is to gain knowledge and skills—not to conduct job interviews—but human connections are formed nonetheless. These connections can later lead to job-related conversations and opportunities. I finally understood: So this is how networks are built.

This may be obvious to those already active and well-established in the Career Consultant field. But for newly qualified consultants who are still unsure of what to do next, I hope this offers some useful perspective.