Getting fired can be a traumatic and unsettling experience. Many people feel ashamed, angry, sad, or worried about their future after being let go from a job. However, being fired is not necessarily as disastrous as it may initially seem. With the right perspective and approach, being fired can actually lead to better opportunities. Here are some quick answers to common questions about being fired:
Is getting fired common?
Yes, it is quite common to be fired at some point in one’s career. Estimates suggest around 25% of workers will be fired at least once in their working lifetime. It happens to the best employees. Getting fired does not mean you are incompetent or a bad worker.
What are common reasons for getting fired?
Some top reasons for getting fired include poor performance, misconduct, downsizing, budget cuts, poor fit with the company culture, and interpersonal conflicts. Most firings are related to performance and behavior, not layoffs.
Does getting fired mean I’ll never work again?
No. The vast majority of fired workers find new jobs, often quite quickly. As long as you take steps to learn from the experience, getting fired should not ruin your career or keep you from getting another job.
Does getting fired mean I did something wrong?
Not necessarily. Sometimes good employees are fired for reasons outside their control, like company downsizing or just not being a good match for that particular role or company. Getting fired does not automatically mean you did something wrong.
The Emotional Impact of Getting Fired
Being fired delivers a tremendous blow to someone’s self-esteem and sense of stability. Here are some of the common emotional reactions:
– Shock and denial – It is normal to feel shocked, confused, numb, or in disbelief initially. The loss has not sunk in yet.
– Anger – Many newly fired folks feel indignant and angry about how they were treated. Anger helps mask fear and gives a sense of control.
– Hurt and embarrassment – Being fired can feel like rejection. Former employees often feel shame and keep the firing secret from family and friends.
– Worry about finances and the future – Money concerns due to lost income and uncertainty about career prospects are major worries for the newly unemployed.
– Relief (in some cases) – Employees in abusive or dysfunctional workplaces may feel a sense of relief once fired. Others may realize the job was not a good fit.
– Sadness and grief – The loss of a job is a significant life change that can lead to grief reactions like depression and severe mood swings.
– Motivation to improve – Getting fired is a wake-up call for some to improve their performance or attitude. Or to pursue a more fitting career.
Steps to Recover Emotionally After Being Fired
It takes time to work through the emotional impact of being fired. Give yourself grace and take steps to process the whirlwind of emotions. Here are some tips:
– Let yourself feel and grieve the loss. Suppressing reactions will only delay the healing.
– Talk to understanding friends and family members for encouragement. Avoid those who will just criticize you.
– Write about your feelings. Journaling is therapeutic.
– Stay active with exercise and socializing. It wards off depression and rumination.
– Consider counseling if you get stuck in depression or self-blame. They can help with perspective.
– Reflect on what you learned from the experience about yourself. How will you approach things differently?
– Forgive yourself if you made mistakes. Do not obsess endlessly over what you should have done.
– Release anger and resentment. Those will sabotage you far more than the firing.
– Look to the future. Visualize how getting fired will lead to better things long-term.
Financial Concerns After a Firing
One of the most pressing concerns after getting fired is the loss of income. Suddenly being without a paycheck can jeopardize your ability to meet expenses and save. However, with proper planning, you can weather the storm. Here are some tips:
– File for unemployment benefits immediately. You have paid into the system, so take advantage.
– Use any severance pay very carefully. Do not blow it all right away in case finding a job takes longer.
– Cut nonessential expenses like dining out and entertainment. Stick to a frugal budget.
– Ask lenders for temporary reductions or extensions on loan payments if needed. Most will accommodate short-term hardship.
– Tap into any emergency savings funds you have available. That is what they are for.
– Consider taking a temporary side job while job hunting to offset the income loss.
– Ask family/friends for loans if needed, but have a plan to pay them back.
– Avoid using credit cards or incurring new debt as much as possible. That will just delay the pain.
Staying disciplined and creative with finances will help you ride out this rocky period and avoid long-term damage. The key is to make your remaining funds last.
How to Explain Being Fired to Others
One challenge after being fired is figuring out how to explain it to others. You will need to tell family, as well as fill gaps in your work history for future employers. Be honest but also strategic. Here are some dos and don’ts:
Do:
– Keep it simple and factual. For example, “My position was eliminated due to restructuring.”
– Take responsibility if warranted. “My performance did not meet expectations so they let me go.”
– Emphasize what you learned. “It made me realize I need to improve my communication skills.”
– Focus on referencing your accomplishments. “I consistently exceeded sales targets.”
Don’t:
– Lie about being fired. It can be discovered and raise red flags.
– Badmouth your past employer. Stay gracious and honest.
– Share details irrelevant to the new job. They do not need to know the whole story.
– Dwell on the firing. Redirect attention to your assets and future growth.
With practice, you can learn to frame the termination in the best light possible for each situation. The details can be adapted for family, friends, and prospective employers.
How to Get Hired After Being Fired
Many job seekers worry that getting fired is a career death sentence. However, that is rarely the case as long as you take the right steps. Follow these tips to overcome the firing and land that next job:
– Reflect on what skills you need to strengthen and address those. Enroll in classes, volunteer, or take online tutorials.
– Work with a career coach or mentor. They can help you identify gaps and improve areas of weakness.
– Revamp your resume to downplay roles where you were fired and emphasize your assets and achievements.
– Craft strong interview stories that showcase your capabilities without dwelling on past terminations.
– Be prepared to explain the context of your firing diplomatically if asked. Do not volunteer it unprompted.
– Consider networking, temp agencies, and executive coaches to get your foot in the door if you are struggling to get interviews.
– Highlight your determination and persistence in the face of setbacks when interviewing. Position the firing as a learning experience.
– Update your references with former colleagues who will still vouch for you. Avoid using managers who fired you.
– Look for jobs below your experience level if needed to rebuild experience and credibility. It is easier to move up later.
– Once hired, work diligently to reinvent yourself. Pursue training opportunities and be a model employee.
With hustle and positivity, you can absolutely rebuild your career after being terminated. The key is addressing knowledge gaps while leveraging your existing assets.
Turning the Firing Into a New Beginning
The period after a firing is a pivotal crossroads. While the natural tendency may be to dwell on the past, fight the urge. Now is the time to look ahead to a brighter future instead. With strategic planning, effort, and a positive mindset, being fired can become the catalyst to finding work you are truly passionate about. Here are tips:
Take Time to Reflect
– Why were you fired? Objectively examine any role you played.
– What did you learn about your strengths and growth areas?
– What type of work energizes you and matches your talents?
Explore New Career Options
– Research industries and roles that interest you more than your past job.
– Identify skills you need to develop to be qualified for new paths.
– Take classes, volunteer, or find a mentor to build expertise.
Craft a Strategic Job Search Plan
– Revamp your resume, online profiles, and work samples to showcase your value.
– Tap your network and use sites like LinkedIn to find hidden job leads matched to your desires.
– Prepare stories that emphasize achievements without dwelling on termination.
Ace the Interview Process
– Practice your firing explanation so you come across honest yet diplomatic.
– Develop interview stories using the STAR method to showcase your abilities.
– Discuss what motivates you about this new career path and role specifically.
Initiate a Strong Start
– Make an excellent first impression on managers and colleagues in your new job.
– Seek feedback early to confirm you are meeting expectations.
– Volunteer for projects to showcase your initiative and passion.
Approach the job transition strategically and maintain a learning mindset. With dedication and wisdom gained from past missteps, you can bounce back stronger than ever!
Common Emotions Felt After Being Fired
Here is a table summarizing common emotional reactions to being fired and tips to work through them positively:
| Emotion | Why It Happens | Tips to Overcome |
|---|---|---|
| Shock | Sudden loss has not sunk in yet | Give yourself time to process it fully |
| Anger | Feeling mistreated and want control back | Vent appropriately, forgive, focus energy on job search |
| Hurt | Feel rejected and shame about failure | Talk to supportive contacts, write about feelings |
| Worry | Concerns about finances and future hireability | Make an action plan, consider new career options |
| Sadness | Grieving loss of identity, stability, coworkers | Let yourself be sad for a period, engage in fulfilling activities |
| Relief | Escape dysfunctional workplace or bad fit job | Focus energy on finding a better work situation |
| Motivation | Wake-up call to improve performance or change careers | Be proactive – build skills, network, ace interviews |
Staying Positive While Unemployed
It is normal to feel discouraged while unemployed, but staying positive increases your odds of landing your next job. Try these proactive tips:
– Maintain a regular schedule and daily routines as if you are still working.
– Pursue professional development like classes, conferences, and networking in your target field.
– Volunteer doing work related to your skillset and interests.
– Exercise regularly to reduce stress and boost mental health.
– Get out socially so you do not become isolated and down while job hunting.
– Avoid excessive alcohol or unhealthy coping mechanisms that will make problems worse long-term.
– Leverage unemployment benefits, severance package, and savings to cover bills as long as possible.
– Find free and low-cost resources to help your job search, like libraries and career centers.
– Continue honing skills for in-demand roles to become more marketable.
– Reframe the unexpected “free time” as an opportunity, not a burden. Enjoy passion projects.
Staying diligent, curious, and socially engaged will help you pass the time productively while searching, so you can land your next opportunity faster. Maintain confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Conclusion
While getting fired is often traumatic initially, it does not have to derail your career or finances permanently. By reflecting on what you can learn from the experience, addressing knowledge gaps, tapping your network, pursuing exciting new job paths, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can bounce back stronger than ever. What first seemed like a terrible defeat can become the impetus to finding work you are truly passionate about and excel at. With resilience and proper planning, you can not only recover from a firing, but achieve new levels of professional success.