What to do if you are Fired
Whether you are laid off or fired, the emotional impact of being let go from a job can be a devastating blow to your ego. Assuming you have done nothing unlawful, but rather were the unfortunate victim of a company downsizing, buyout, merger or staff decrease dictated by budget concerns, the fact remains that you are suddenly without means of income and potentially experiencing an identity crisis.
When your life becomes derailed by a job loss, there are three important things to do in order to restore income and confidence.
1) Accept and move on
Learn as much as you can about the facts that led up to your termination. It is apt to be easier to accept the status quo if you can pinpoint reasons beyond your control, i.e., company downsizing, budget constraints or lack of seniority. Job loss might be accompanied by grief, anger and frustration. Give yourself a brief time out to reflect and work through all the negative emotions before embarking on a new job search. Once you have reached a state of acceptance, you will be better able to move on to new endeavors with renewed confidence.
2) Update resume
If you have been in the same job for awhile, it is time to dust off the old resume and update it, adding all the skills, accomplishments and accolades you may have acquired during your years of employment. Make contact with potential references, put the word out with family, friends and previous business colleagues that you are in the market for a new position, for you never know who might be able to provide emotional support or viable leads for your job search.
3) Take stock of financial status
As soon as you become aware of your unemployed status, visit the unemployment office and file an application for benefits. Even if you have a healthy emergency fund in savings, there is no way to predict how soon you will find new employment, especially in the current tight job market. Cut back on spending and trim the budget to the bone. Do whatever you can to avoid a crushing financial crisis, which is only apt to complicate further the problematic issues surrounding job loss.
For in-depth information and additional tips on actions to take in the event you are laid off or fired from your job, Career Intelligence.com has published advice garnered from interviews with various well-knowncareer management experts.
All the experts are in agreement that adopting a positive attitude of acceptance, updating your resume and scrupulous management of finances are the three high priority things to do in order to survive an unplanned job loss.
