Scared of Making the Wrong Choice? These 4 Steps Will Safeguard Your Job Search

Job searching is exhausting. All the mental energy, countless hours spent tailoring your resume and cover letters, and waiting and second-guessing—only to end up in a role that still isn’t the right fit.

In a recent survey, more than half of our audience (54 percent) said they were unhappy with the outcome of their last job search. Many cited mismatched company values, low salaries, skipping negotiation, or feeling pressured to accept a role just to stay employed. As one respondent admitted, “Part of me knew this might not be the right job but I took it anyway because I didn’t want to be unemployed any longer. I should have listened to my gut.”

To help you avoid this experience, we tapped career coach Jenn Smith for advice on how to safeguard your job search. These four steps will help you find a job where you can thrive authentically and avoid settling for less.

Read more: Our Comprehensive Guide to Finding a Career You Love

1. Clarify your values and priorities before you start the job search

Self-reflection is an underrated tool when it comes to refining your job search.

“Your values and priorities evolve over time,” Smith says. “Anchoring your job search in what matters right now helps align your time and energy with intention. Before you start your job search, ask yourself this grounding question: ‘What’s important to me in this season of my career?’” Do you need flexibility to care for your kids? Do you want to prioritize projects that have real-world impact? Are you seeking more mentorship and guidance?

When you’re thinking about your answer, Smith recommends differentiating between core values and lifestyle values. Core values stem from what energizes and fulfills you at work—purpose, impact, growth, collaboration, innovation, stability, creativity, learning. Lifestyle values are about how you work best and what helps you feel balanced—schedule flexibility, remote or hybrid work, commute time, salary, travel, time for family or creative projects.

Before you start the search, list your top three to five core values and lifestyle values. “These become your guide for evaluating roles, companies, and opportunities,” Smith says. “When you’re tempted to settle or feel unsure, come back to your values. They’ll help you make decisions from a place of clarity, not pressure. The clearer you are on what matters to you, the easier it is to design a career that feels energizing, meaningful, and aligned.”

Here are a few prompts to get started:

• What are my non-negotiables in this season? What daily or weekly rhythms (like no weekend emails, flexible start times, or travel) do I need to feel balanced?

• What does success look and feel like in this next chapter of my career? Is it about leading a team, feeling more balanced, earning more, or having a creative outlet? 

• When I think about my favorite job or project so far, what specific moments or responsibilities lit me up?

2. Assess a company’s values during the interview process

In a time where finding a job feels nearly impossible, it’s easy to feel pressured to accept the first offer you get (sometimes, that’s necessary for the paycheck). But joining a company that doesn’t align with your values can cost you valuable time and energy if you quickly realize it’s not the right fit.

That’s why it’s crucial to start evaluating a company before you even apply. “One of the most effective ways to assess if a company's values align with your own is to start exploring before interviews,” Smith says. “When there's no potential offer on the table, you can gather more honest insights because no one is ‘selling,’ and you're free to be curious.”

“Start with informational interviews,” she says. “Reach out to people who work at your target companies and ask for a short, casual conversation. These informal chats are great for uncovering what it's really like to work there. Ask for examples. Many companies list values like ‘belonging,’ ‘innovation,’ or ‘wellbeing,’ but that doesn’t mean those values are lived.”

“Pay close attention to the responses, especially tone, specificity, and energy. If they're vague or deflective, that's a red flag,” says Smith. 

While you’re interviewing, make sure you’re also browsing reviews of the company for honest accounts of what it’s like to work there. Be sure to flag recurring themes like poor leadership, lack of work-life balance, unclear career growth, or complaints about company culture. Frequent mentions of high turnover, favoritism, or lack of diversity can also signal a values mismatch. Reading between the lines helps you spot warning signs that might not come up during interviews and give you a clearer picture before you commit.

3. Learn to recognize the signs of a toxic work environment 

Toxic work environments can drain your energy, stall your growth, and affect your health. Learning to spot these red flags early can save you from costly mistakes. 

“I always say that the hiring and interview process is a preview of what's to come,” Smith says. “How you're treated during the process is a strong indicator of how you'll be treated if you're hired. Pay attention not just to what is said, but to how you feel.”

Here are a few things to look out for:

• Impolite communication or lack of follow-through: “Notice how and when they communicate. Are they responsive and respectful of your time? Or are there long delays, canceled meetings, or vague responses? A lack of clear, professional communication can signal deeper issues with leadership or culture,” Smith says.

• Dismissive responses: “If your questions about culture, leadership, or work-life balance are brushed off or met with canned answers, that can be a red flag,” Smith says. “Healthy workplaces welcome thoughtful questions and provide open responses.”

• Inconsistency: If the different people you interview with describe the role, culture, or company values in conflicting ways, that might reflect a lack of alignment or internal dysfunction.

• How you feel: “This is the most important one,” Smith says. “Assess how you feel after each interaction. Did you feel respected? Or drained, anxious, or on edge? Your body often knows first, so trust your feelings.”

“Take a moment after each conversation to jot down a few quick notes. Ask yourself: How did they make me feel? Did their values seem to align with mine? Would I feel supported here?” Smith says. “Your career is too important to spend time in a place that doesn't value you. Keep your eyes—and intuition—wide open.”

Read more: 4 Red Flags in Job Descriptions That Should Make You Think Twice

4. Negotiate job offers with confidence

Negotiation can feel intimidating, especially when so many women (55 percent, according to InHerSight data) say they’re uncomfortable advocating for themselves. But skipping this step means leaving money and opportunity on the table, and could lead to resentment later.

Even when you feel uncomfortable, remember salary negotiations are expected. Negotiating is a skill you can develop, and every conversation is practice toward getting what you truly deserve. “Go into the negotiation grounded in what matters most to you, whether that's meaningful work, flexibility, growth, or compensation,” Smith says. “When you're anchored in your ‘why,’ it changes the energy of the conversation. You're not just asking for more, you're aligning the offer with what you need to flourish.”

Research is key to feeling confident during these conversations. Use Glassdoor or Payscale to find a target range for your role, industry, and location. And keep in mind salary is just one part of the offer. “The full compensation package may offer opportunities to get creative, especially if the base salary can't budge. You can also negotiate a signing bonus, additional vacation time, schedule flexibility, a professional development budget, equity or stock options, or early performance reviews to revisit compensation.”