What to do when you are Recently Fired
Clearly being fired isn’t the ideal situation, but it can happen to the best of us. If you approach your ordeal with the right attitude and you will come out on top despite starting out feeling like you have hit rock bottom.
The following career tips are meant to help the recently fired to get back in the game with minimal stress.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up About It
Being fired can put a damper on your spirits but after you’ve allowed yourself a moment to be upset, it’s time to get over it and move on. It doesn’t take long for negativity to surround you like a thick cloak and before you know it, you’ll start thinking that you will never get another job. You certainly don’t need to put yourself through that misery. The sooner you’re on your feet and looking for a job, the sooner you’ll be back in the fold.
Update Your Resume
Losing your job is an opportunity to update your resume and start rethinking what really interests you. If you have the luxury of taking your time to figure things out, you should do just that. Otherwise, there is no harm in accepting a job that will cover the bills while you discover what you would really be happy doing. You may find that you would like to switch fields or even try starting your own business.
Find Some Positive References
Just because you were fired doesn’t mean that you have something to be ashamed about. You can hold your head up high in an interview and be truthful with potential employers about your situation. Having a ready supply of references who are willing to vouch for your skills and personality also doesn’t hurt.
Network
Half of the battle of finding a new job is in getting the word out to the right people. Of course, it is very difficult to figure out who the right people are, so it is best to spread the word far and wide. Use your family and friends to start with and then post your resume up online and join professional networking sites like LinkedIn if appropriate for your area of expertise. The wider you cast your net, the higher the chance that you will get a catch something of interest.
Losing your job can be a traumatic experience, especially if you were not financially prepared to deal with the layoff. However, out of difficult situations, great opportunities can spring. So, remember to look at your trial as a chance for better things to come into your life.
