In Distinct’s annual survey, 75% of professionals in our candidate network planned to find a new job in 2025. Beyond successfully obtaining a new role, ensuring that your next workplace aligns with your values, ambitions and lifestyle needs can be crucial for long-term job satisfaction. For example, LinkedIn’s 2023 survey of nearly 10,000 professionals across the UK, France, Germany and Ireland found that 68% preferred to work for companies that reflect their values.
Our useful guide will assist you in identifying what matters most in your next career move and which environments may suit you best. With these insights, you can optimise your job search and confidently select the right workplace for your next role.
What are your priorities and non-negotiables in a new job?
With the ONS reporting 816,000 live vacancies in the UK between December 2024 and February 2025 alone, having a clear set of priorities can help you swiftly eliminate roles that aren’t the right fit and make your job search more focused and effective.
We will explore five significant factors to consider, as discussing these topics during your job search and interviews can provide you with valuable insight while showcasing your commitment to making an informed decision.
1. Work-life balance and flexibility
When surveying candidates across our core recruitment markets, work-life balance and flexibility emerged as the top priorities for all groups. In line with this demand, 96.1% preferred hybrid or remote working arrangements. If flexibility is key to your happiness, these questions can help you determine whether a potential workplace aligns with your non-negotiables:
- Does the job align with your preferred working arrangements (on-site, hybrid, or remote)?
- Is the distance of the commute appropriate, considering both time and costs?
- Can they offer flexible hours, a four-day week, or part-time work if necessary?
To help you transition smoothly and succeed in your new job, it’s essential to be realistic about your needs. By identifying these needs, you can ensure your next workplace offers the flexibility that aligns with both your personal and professional goals.
2. Achieving higher pay
In New Possible’s annual ‘What Workers Want’ survey, respondents aged 35 to 44 were the most likely to seek new roles this year, citing higher pay as a priority. If you’re considering a position with an advertised salary, our free tools are available to help you calculate whether the role will meet your lifestyle needs:
- Your take-home pay after taxes, student loans and pension contributions
- The average market wage for your job title and experience level
If you’re interested in a role without a specified salary, these benchmarking tools can help you determine a realistic target before negotiations. If you’ve found an exciting opportunity but are hesitant about the salary, it’s worth considering whether a generous benefits package could help balance things out. You can also check if there will be an opportunity to review your pay after a set period of time.
3. Career development
According to recent data from People Insight, 63% of employees felt they had the right opportunities to learn and develop their careers, while 37% sought more room to grow. If you’re searching for a job with better progression, considering the following questions can help you assess whether a new workplace will support your ambitions:
- Can the role provide another step toward your career goals for the next 3-5 years?
- What skills, experience and responsibilities will you gain?
- Does the job advertise training or learning opportunities?
This topic is valuable to discuss during interviews, especially for roles that benefit from study support or upskilling. An in-depth conversation can help you understand the business and what to expect while showcasing your focus on long-term growth and commitment to personal development within the company.
4. Culture, leadership and values
Across our finance, HR, marketing and procurement networks, candidates ranked communication and leadership as the third most important priorities in their 2025 job search, closely followed by inclusive cultures. Employers who strongly value these workplace principles often include them in job listings, allowing you to quickly identify your alignment before applying and discussing them in interviews.
- Does the job advert promote positive communication styles like autonomy and teamwork?
- Is there adequate diversity and gender representation within their leadership team?
- Has the employer promoted applications from underrepresented groups?
- Has the business participated in any charity work?
Sustainability, diversity and inclusion remain key priorities for many professionals and employers in the UK. For instance, when we asked our clients to rate the importance of DE&I in their hiring strategies for 2025, the average score was an enthusiastic 4.3 out of 5.
5. Learning from past working experiences
According to Liverpool Victoria, the average UK professional will hold nine jobs with six different employers during their career. By 2030, the OECD expects more people to favour varied ‘portfolio careers, ‘ influenced by advancing technology and a growing demand for flexibility. With this shift in mind, reflecting on past roles can help you determine what to research and prioritise for your next potential workplace.
- What tasks or challenges have motivated you in the past?
- Are there specific management styles that you thrive under?
- What gives you the most confidence and job satisfaction? Will this be available?
Once you’ve identified your top priorities, research potential employers’ websites, their social media accounts and Glassdoor reviews to further assess your alignment with their workplace environment, company mission and the specific role. As advised by a Distinct recruiter in our recent blog, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s just as much about you finding the right employer as it is about them finding the right employee.”
Work with Distinct
As a leading recruitment agency in the Midlands and London, we pride ourselves on advocating for our candidates’ work-life balance, flexibility and career progression. If you’d like expert support and guidance in your search, contact us today or explore our latest job opportunities.
