Fired from Pink Slips to Promotion in eight Steps
The unfortunate experience of being fired from a job need not be a nightmare or a nemesis – at least, not for long. Many ambitious individuals actually grab the opportunity to pursue better jobs when the dreaded pink slips begin to fly.
Fresh out of graduate school, I was downsized from my first corporate job. The whole department was canned. Within weeks, before I had even spent my accrued vacation time, I was working for a Fortune 100 company for twice the pay. How did this happen? How can you make this happen for yourself?
Consider these eight simple steps to turn the negative experience of downsizing into a positive career milestone.
1. Never leave a job without references, even if you've been fired
When the proverbial axe falls, it’s easy to feel frozen and defeated, but it’s time for immediate action. Step up and ask the boss for a letter of reference before stepping away. If possible, go over his or her head as well, asking higher-ups for employment endorsement letters. Seek similar missives from colleagues, team members and other associates, if possible.
These documents can go far in beefing up a resume
2. Hit the ground running
A sudden firing can be devastating, but it can also be just the jump-start an employee needs to bolt from a stagnant situation or a dead-end job.
3. Use company resources as long as allowed
Telephone service, faxing, copying, and administrative support are essential to the job search process. A fired employee can greatly benefit from accessing these assets while they are still available, if the company permits.
4. Make the most of paid time
Often, downsizing organizations offer terminated workers advance notice or severance pay. A fired employee may have accrued vacation or personal days, yet to be paid. This buffer may prove valuable during the job hunt process.
5. Be your own promoter
Unemployment can light a fire under a person, once he or she gathers the gumption to speak up about his or her best personal and professional qualities.
Classified ads and job postings, both in print or online, tend to attract countless applicants, particularly when unemployment numbers run high nationwide. Savvy job hunters strike off on their own to carve out additional opportunities, based on their own abilities, interests, and experience.
6. Let a firing fire you up for the future
Firing is not a shameful circumstance, especially in tough economic times. Often, corporate strategies shift over time, leading to changes in staffing needs. Instead of growing downhearted over downsizing, career-minded individuals may become even more motivated in such circumstances.
Sure, anyone may go through a certain amount of disappointment and discouragement at such a setback, but self-starting folks won’t wallow for long. Instead, they tend to take on the hunt for a better situation.
7. Network like there’s no tomorrow
To gain a better position, a person must identify a target, plan a strategy, and pursue it.
A job search offers a prime time for considering one’s contacts. Extended families, neighbors, friends, and social networking circles warrant a closer look from a potential career standpoint. Which of these folks have intriguing jobs? Who might offer smart strategies or helpful introductions with target employers?
8. Get up and go
Everyone’s job experience, training and skills differ. At any given time, some professions may have more job openings than others. But persistence, research, creativity and guts may help anyone to land a job that far outweighs the one you lost.
Employment climates and job opportunities vary. Industries experience ups and downs, and the economy has its economy cycles. Even so, these basic steps offer any job applicant a significant advantage.
