How should I go about choosing the right advisor for me?

First, find an advisor who uses a fee-only compensation model.  Advisory firms that are independent and not otherwise affiliated with a large brokerage or wirehouse are those firms that are more likely to provide you objective advice rather than selling you expensive products.

Second, find an advisor who utilizes a passive investment strategy.

Third, find an advisor with the right credentials and experience.  The following credentials will give you confidence that the advisor knows what he/she is doing - CFP, CPA/PFS, MBA.

Fourth, find an advisor that you like.  One of the most important aspects of any client-advisor relationship is open and honest communication.  So find someone you're willing to talk to, and someone you're willing to listen to.  And find someone who's going to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.  An advisor who only supports everything you want to do is an enabler and not an advisor.