Getting fired is one of the worst possible things to happen to an employee. Your source of income is suddenly cut off, and you have to fall back on your savings. And if you do not have much of that either, you could fall upon hard times. Things become complicated when dependents are relying on you.
Even if you are given a notice period, you are too preoccupied trying to come to terms with what just happened rather than using this time more productively. While life has its ups and downs, you need to take it in your stride, and recovering quickly after losing your job is one of them.
Sure, you must take your time to feel bad and let your emotions out, especially if you feel that the termination was uncalled for. However, management policies are not in your hand, and it is very little you can do to change their decision. However, you can bounce back as quickly as possible after this setback, and here is how you can do that.
What You Can Do to Quickly Recover From Being Fired?
It is never too late to start afresh, and here are some things on how to recover from being fired.
1. Ask the Reason Behind Your Termination
While you will feel very frustrated about the termination, it is of utmost importance that you maintain your dignity and professionalism and ask for the reason behind your termination. There could be several reasons why this might have happened – the company might have decided to downsize, make budget cuts, and let you go.
In that case, request your employer to give you a termination letter, putting this in writing as it will show that it was not your fault that you were terminated. You will also be entitled to get unemployment benefits.
Even if the employer says that you were fired because of your fault and because they were not happy with your work, you will still get a detailed picture of what happened and work on yourself to ensure this is never again repeated in the future.
2. Ask About Other Opportunities
While you might have been fired from your current position, you can always ask your employer if there are other positions open for you in the workplace. It might not be as high-paying or fulfilling, but you will still be employed and have a source of income. In the meantime, you can start job hunting again.
Or, you can also ask if the employer will hire you back after you have made some improvements to your skill. However, if the employer replies in the negative, accept the answer gracefully, thank them for the opportunity they have given you and move on.
3. Leave on Good Terms
You might be extremely dejected after being terminated, but that should not translate into bad behavior while leaving the company. Make it a point to leave on good terms and not enter into an altercation with your employer. This will help you on how to recover from being fired gradually, and you will learn to come with terms after a short while.
You have to remember that word travels fast in the professional world, and news of your misconduct, even during the termination, could affect your chances when you start looking for a new job again.
Additionally, once you have cooled down, you will feel bad about what you did, and it will affect your mental health. It is important to be cordial at all times during this process.
4. Reflect And Analyze
Once you have let your emotions out, clear your head and try to reflect on what happened. If the termination was something entirely due to a management policy, there is very little that you can do.
However, if it is related to your poor performance at work, professional misconduct at the workplace, flouting company policies, being positive on a drug test, or any other reason you were not the best version of yourself, then now is the time to for some reflection.
Think about what went wrong and why you did those things. What can you do to avoid those things in the future? Did you feel overworked and stressed, which led to those actions? Think about these aspects thoroughly and work on yourself before you start looking for a job again. Take a week off and unwind to release all the stress and tension.
5. Make a New Resume
You might have spent a few years in the company and picked up quite a few skills. Now that you have to start looking for a job again, update your resume with those skills. While you were busy working, the professional world around you might have changed, and new opportunities might have emerged in various industries.
Start researching and prepare a new resume that suits the current professional world. Please find out what the new crop of employers are looking for and prepare a resume that fits those needs and addresses those requirements, relating them to the skills you have acquired. You will find that the new chapter in your professional career might turn out to be very interesting.
6. Begin Your Job Search
After you have updated your resume, begin your job search by posting across job portals. This is the best way to look forward and allow some time to get a good offer. At this point, it is imperative that you do not compare yourself with your peers and feel discouraged about having to hunt for a job anew. In contrast, the others are comfortably secure in their position.
Look for opportunities that use your existing skills, and you could also consider joining a new department or trying something new at this point. You have enough experience to know what is best for you.
7. Improve Your Skills
The time you get when you are in between jobs is crucial, and you can use it for self-improvement. Work on your hard and soft skills to have an edge above the other applicants.
It is natural to fall into a pattern when you are in a position for a few years, and now is the time to upgrade both your soft and technical skills. You could join a short course or even get a certification that will help with your job search.
Go to hiring websites to check what the recruiters are looking for.
Also Read: Answering “What Skills Would You Like to Improve Answers?” Interview Question
8. Hone Your Interview Skills
It has been a while since you appeared for an interview, and now that you have to apply for jobs again, you need to go over the etiquette for an interview. How would you greet a recruiter? Prepare the answers to some of the most common questions asked during an interview.
Research the companies where you are going to apply and find out how they can help with your growth. You must also ask them informed questions that show your insight about the company and about the kind of role you are expected to fulfill. Work on your body language and practice speaking with confidence.
The last one is the most important because your recent termination should not put a dent in your self-esteem, which will only make it harder for you to move forward.
9. Talk About Your Termination
While looking for a job, it is only natural that you will be asked questions about your termination, and you will have to speak about it. Rather than shying away from the question, speak about it confidently and honestly. Do not say anything negative about your erstwhile employer and take full responsibility if you were terminated due to some fault of yours.
Mistakes can happen, but employers will give you a chance when they see you are earnest about rectifying your mistakes and are prepared to start afresh. Moreover, if you have largely held a clean record, your termination will not matter.
Most employers are interested in knowing what you can do for them in the future, and your past is just for the records.
10. Make an Action Plan
If you are feeling too dejected, then it might slowly push you towards a passive mode. It would be best if you came out of it by making an action plan. Apart from job hunting, also look for ways of self-care and relaxation.
Read self-help books, and do not just think about your job, but work on becoming a better person. That will help your personal and professional life as you move toward more holistic living. Connect with your family and spend time together, rebuilding your support system as you work on yourself.
Conclusion
Being fired from one’s job- especially one you loved and were dedicated to is not easy to handle. You may even feel disillusioned for a while, but you cannot let it disrupt your life. You need to regain control of your life.
Once you have landed a new job and start doing well, you will start looking at your previous termination as a blessing in disguise. Many new opportunities await you; you must set aside your inhibitions and insecurities and reach for them.
Read More: How to Respond to a Rejection Email? (With Examples)
