"You're Fired!" Now What?

Recently, I was fired. It was a terrible feeling. At first, I thought I had done something wrong. It turns out, I didn't. The company was simply down-sizing. It happens. All too frequently it seems.

Sometimes, as I have found out in the past, my thoughts on how the job should have been done, and the managements' ideas, were totally different. There was a lack of communication, or maybe I genuinely messed up. Who can say, really. It definitely happens. And according to experts, at least 250,000 people are illegally or unjustly fired each year. That's not counting people who were fired for a good reason. But, the ultimate question is where do I go from here?

Well, the first thing is, I have to stop telling myself that it's my fault! Everything I have read so far indicates that it's best not to dwell on the situation overly much. Instead, I need to get focused on finding another job. And that's what I would normally do, but now, I have the added problem of being fired to deal with during my job search. That now being said, I have to address this issue as something positive, rather than negative.

First, there is the "legal" issue of whether I was fired legitimately or would it be considered a wrongful termination. Well, it was legitimate, so I should be entitled to Unemployment Benefits. But, for many, the way is not so clear. So, it's best to make sure you have all the facts surrounding your termination. Be prepared for differences in opinion, and be prepared to prove your case to the state. If it's not clear, many times the state will side with your former employer and you will lose any chance of gaining benefits.

Second, BE POSITIVE! When sending out your updated resume and cover letters, be positive. Don't make any mention of your termination. Just stick to the facts. Make sure that your letters address the job you are applying for, and why, and how, you are the best qualified for it. That's it. Don't mention anything about your termination until you absolutely have to.

Third, DON'T BE NEGATIVE! But, be honest and don't lie when filling out job applications. If you do, it will come back to bite you. Use language such as "job ended" or "terminated" if you have to indicate why you are no longer working at a job. If they ask if you were fired, always say yes. Lying about it could cost you later on, as this is grounds for immediate termination at any time in the future, which would put you right back where you are right now. Plus, it could cost you future unemployment benefits.

Lastly, when interviewing, experts suggest actually volunteering the information about your termination, because you know you are going to be asked why you left your last position. In my case, it wasn't my fault, so I can be openly honest about the downsizing, and move on from there. If it was your fault, they suggest telling the potential employer that you learned a lesson, and that you actually benefited from the experience.

The other things that experts suggests are: Practice. Prepare answers ahead of time to the questions about getting fired so you know exactly what you are going to say. DON'T LIE. You'll get caught when the company checks your references and background information. And, last but not least, Don't contradict yourself. Share the information in one way, and one way only. That way if one or more people are interviewing you, you won't trip yourself up when they are comparing notes later.

Oh, and you definitely don't want to start insulting your former boss or employer. That doesn't look good, and any prospective employers would then be left to wonder if you would do the same thing to them in the future. So, even if you feel justified in being angry, leave it at home. Don't let it eat you up and make you look bad to a potential boss.

So, now it's time to move on. I know it sounds hard. But, as one of the managers who fired me pointed out, I have a lot of marketable skills. I am going to focus on those. I am proud of who I am and the skills that I possess. I am going to market those skills and see what I can do. Getting fired is a part of working. It happens. Don't let it get you down. Use this time to figure out what you are going to do, and DO IT!

Good Luck!