One day you have a job and a fairly set future, and the next day you’re unemployed with no idea what’s going to happen next. However, it’s important to not lose hope. Here are a few tips on how to cope with getting fired.
- Ask Why
There are probably a million things going through your mind when the boss says you’re being let go, but it’s a good idea to ask if you can. If you don’t ask now, you might never find out, and it’s good to know why so you can improve in whatever area there might be an issue.
You can ask something along the lines of “I’m sorry to hear that. Could you provide any details on why you’ve made this decision?” You don’t want to burn any bridges, so keep things as polite as possible.
- It’s Okay to Feel Bad
It doesn’t matter if you were let go due to a company-wide lay-off or because of something you did wrong—either way, you’re allowed to take a moment to just feel bad. Getting fired is emotionally draining, and you don’t have to start job searching right away. Take some time to process your feelings. If it helps, consider making a list of your strengths and weaknesses and think about what you really want in a job and manager.
Even if you were fired due to something you did wrong, that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Everyone makes mistakes, and what’s important is that you learn from this one and move on to an even better job.
- Update Your Resume
Once you’re rested and ready to get back into the job search, start by updating your resume. Focus on any recent accomplishments, and try to address measurable results if you can (increased ROI by 10%, reduced task completion time by 5%, etc.). You might even consider a total resume revamp if it’s been a few years since you last updated yours.
- Reach Out to Your Network
Once your resume is updated, it’s time to reach out to any contacts you have. This can be as simple as asking friends and family if they know of any job openings, or sending check-in messages to your professional contacts. You don’t need to mention that you were fired, just that you’re in the market for a new job.
- Brush Up on Your Interview Skills
You want to be ready for the toughest interview questions, so check out the Answering the Interview Question eBook. We created this eBook by compiling the toughest interview questions and providing sample answers to get you started.
You’re an awesome worker, and you’re likely to find an awesome job. So don’t give up hope!
Have you ever been fired? How did you handle it? Let us know in the comments section below!
