Being let go from your job doesn’t have to define you. The way you approach recovering from a firing speaks directly to your work ethic and ability to persevere. Getting fired is never enjoyable, but there are things you can do to make the recovery process more manageable. Use these four tips to your advantage after you get fired!
1. Make Sure You Understand Why You Were Fired
It’s essential to understand why your employer made the decision to let you go. Even if you disagree, it’s important to understand how the employer sees the situation. Understanding why you got fired gives you the opportunity to avoid the same mistake at a new position. Taking the time to uncover the reason you were fired also gives you a chance to prepare a reasonable answer when you’re asked about why you left.
After getting fired, you’ll need to develop a concise answer similar to a public statement about why you got fired. If your friends or family ask why you were let go, you can give them the full details if you want. However, during interviews and meetings with people in your network, it’s essential to develop a concise answer ahead of time.
2. Don’t Lose Control Or Hide
Despite how unfair your firing may be, it’s important to stay under control. Even if you’ve been fighting a constructive dismissal situation, your future employment opportunities lie in your ability to remain calm and move forward. Stay off social media and give yourself a few days to decompress and fully process the situation.
Don’t allow yourself to feel embarrassed and sorry for yourself after you get fired. Getting fired happens to all of us, it’s how you respond to the situation that really matters. It’s tempting to hide from the public and avoid having to explain why you’re back in job hunting mode. However, pushing yourself to move on with your life is usually the best course of action.
3. Focus More On Networking Than Spending Time On Job Boards
Combing through job boards usually isn’t a good use of your time. Unless you’re ready for a boatload of rejection after getting fired spending time on job boards isn’t the best way forward. Even if you buckle down and send 50 applications a day, you’re still not likely to see results. It’s easy to get depressed when you’re not seeing any results form your efforts.
Instead of applying to every job you see online, you’re much better off tapping into your network. You’re much more likely to get a job at the same level as your old one through a recommendation from a friend. The best way to network is to skip all the pleasantries and find ways you can bring value to people. There will always be work for you if people understand how your skills create value.
4. Improve Your Online Presence
Improving your online presence is essential, especially after a constructive dismissal. If you’re ready to move on, it’s essential that people can easily see how you can help their company. Your social media profiles need to be optimized to help company’s see the full range of your skills. Get started by deleting unprofessional posts and pictures and updating your portfolio with recent work.
If you’re on Linkedin, it’s worth your time to customize your profile summary. Using industry-specific words will help company’s find you in their search for new employees. It’s also worth putting together a case study that focuses on how you were able to help your previous employer in your last position.
