Week 2 Foundation & Focus: Career Clarity, The 30-Day Job Search Kickstart
The Painted-Over Cracks
Some houses look gorgeous from the curb—fresh paint, neat lawn, impressive entryway. But step inside, and the truth shows up fast: sagging floorboards, peeling wallpaper, an old sofa slumped in a room that hasn’t seen love in years.
Jobs can be the same. The posting gleams, the website dazzles, the brand name sparkles. But if you look closely, you’ll see the cracks—high turnover, stressed employees, vague promises about culture.
Spotting those flaws early saves you from moving in, only to regret signing the lease.
Coaching Story: The Too-Good-to-Be-True Offer
Eli, an alum in marketing, got an offer that seemed perfect—great title, impressive brand, solid pay. But during the interview process, he noticed something: employees dodged his questions about turnover, Glassdoor reviews mentioned 60+ hour weeks, and the hiring manager described the culture as “intense.”
He trusted his gut and declined. Six months later, he heard from a friend who accepted a similar role—she left after four months, exhausted and disillusioned.
Red flags aren’t inconveniences. They’re signals. Pay attention.
For New Grads & Seasoned Pros
New Grads: It’s easy to feel like you don’t have the “luxury” of saying no. But ignoring red flags early in your career sets you up for frustration or a quick exit. The right start matters more than the fast start.
Seasoned Pros: You’ve likely seen red flags before—but sometimes urgency (or financial pressure) tempts you to downplay them. Remember: a misaligned role at this stage costs more, not less—especially if it damages your reputation, drains your energy, or delays your long-term goals.
The Red Flag Playbook: Questions to Answer
Culture:
- Are employees proud to work here—or just surviving?
- Are reviews consistent, or do they hint at toxicity?
Leadership:
- How do managers describe career development?
- Do leaders seem accessible and transparent—or distant and defensive?
Workload & Balance:
- What’s the typical week look like?
- Are “crunch times” seasonal—or constant?
Compensation & Growth:
- Does pay align with industry averages?
- Are advancement paths clear—or mysterious?
✅ Action Steps for Today: Prioritize Your List
Take your Day 12 company list and sort into three buckets:
- Pursue: Alignment is strong, excitement is high, no major red flags.
- Watch: Some positives, some concerns. Worth exploring but cautiously.
- Cross Off: Major red flags or deal-breakers—don’t waste your energy here.
⭐ Bonus: Trust your gut. If a company looks perfect on paper but something feels off, move it to “Watch” and ask more questions until you’re sure. Here’s a Red Flag Question Bank to help you ask smart, emotionally intelligent questions to uncover the truth about a company before you apply.
Why This Works
Filtering your list saves you time, energy, and frustration. Instead of chasing every shiny logo, you’ll invest in companies that deserve your talent—and walk away from ones that don’t.
Because in this search, saying no is just as powerful as saying yes.
Keep Refining
Check the Kelley Alumni Career Services site for research tools, alumni connections, and guides to dig deeper into company culture.
Next in the 30-Day Job Search
Read Day 14 → Weekend Checkpoint: What You’ve Learned About Yourself So Far
Because once you know where you want to go, it’s time to start the conversations that move you forward.
