How to Handle Being Fired Even when You've Done a Great Job

Agree or disagree with the debacle at NBC involving Conan and Jay Leno, it brings to mind a situation that I'm sure many of you have faced -- being fired even when you've done a great job. Or at least tried to.

No matter whether you're in a subjective medium like TV, where "performance" is based on ratings, which are mostly out of your control, or working construction, where the craftsmanship is completely based on your skill level, you can still get fired after doing a great job. Here's how to handle it.

Step 1

Hopefully you've found this article before you were actually fired. If not, skip to step 3.

Businesses these days have no loyalty. After every accomplishment at your current job, update your resume. Also, check a general site like Monster.com or Hotjobs.com to see if someone is paying more for your skill set. Send out a couple of feelers. Bottom line: Always be ready to move on your company. Believe me; they're ready to move on you.

• Step 2

  If you haven't been fired yet, but you sense it coming, the thing to do after step 1 is to resign. That leaves the black mark off of your record, saves your employer the stress of having to do the job, and gives you the opportunity to go out with your head up.

  I have heard more than one story about that quiet understanding between resigner and resignee that allowed the relationship to continue under good circumstances. Sometimes references were even provided, to thank the resignee for being professional enough to avoid the tension that a firing would have generated.

• Step 3

  Here's where you start if you have been fired after doing a good job.

  Take a day off. Let the feelings settle, and put down the weapon. Don't send out resumes; don't call demanding the last paycheck; just chill out. Go to the beach. Write in your diary. Scream into the pillow. Eat a lot a lot of ice cream. (Yes, a lot a lot.)

• Step 4

  Wake up the next day and immediately get to work on all avenues.

  The quicker you tell friends and family, and the less pity you evoke from them, the more likely you are to elicit help. They will see you as someone who takes control of a bad situation. That's an attractive quality. Plus you'll still be shaven and you won't smell as bad as you will after 3 weeks of unemployment, so you'll still make an attractive hire.

  Hit craigslist. Find old employers. Hit Monster. Drop off the resume in person to that company you've always wanted to work for. Tell them that their opportunity to have you is short and they should act fast!

• Step 5

  These days, temp agencies also function as executive agencies. Sign up for at least 2, submit to their retarded tests with a good attitude, and keep in contact with your agent at least twice a week.

• Step 6

  Stay clean shaven. There's something about shaving that keeps people productive and happier. Yes, men and women. Men, shave your face. Women, shave your legs.

• Step 7

  Don't be afraid to IMMEDIATELY apply for unemployment. It's not welfare; you PAID for it out of every paycheck for exactly this situation! You're just asking for your own money back to get you through a temporary situation. And believe me, the government has been using your money and getting interest off of it, so letting them keep it while you starve is simply not the way to go.

  If you're really just crunchy about taking a "handout," consider those checks a business loan. Use them to start a business you've always wanted to begin.